LOS ANGELES (July 29) -- At some point in the very near future, it would be wise for the Toronto Maple Leafs to determine, and then firmly announce whether Jean-Sebastien Aubin or Mikael Tellqvist is favored to be the season-long accomplice in 2006-07 to No. 1 goalie Andrew Raycroft. The reason for this is two-fold: a) No one can be certain, at this point, whether Raycroft will prosper once again in a leading role, and b) It's not the least bit difficult to envision who among Aubin and Tellqvist could best handle an increased workload in the event Raycroft struggles.
Tellqvist has had several glowing opportunities to prove he can be a regular contributor in the NHL, and has so far failed. This was most evident during the Leafs' disastrous twin-bill in Montreal at the end of March, when the affable Swede could not come up with a timely save to rescue his floundering teammates. The consecutive humiliations at the Bell Centre proved the Leafs were not worthy of a playoff spot, and that Tellqvist was not a prime candidate for frequent service in the big league. The following night, at the Meadowlands, coach Pat Quinn turned to Aubin, who went on to provide the Leafs with their best regular-season stretch of goaltending since Curtis Joseph. A failed starter, previously, in Pittsburgh, Aubin earned a one-year contract extension from the Leafs, and it's anyone's guess, at the moment, why GM John Ferguson then chose to spend valuable cap money by exercising the club's option on Tellqvist.
This mystery could be resolved if Ferguson trades Tellqvist to loosen some cash for one of the remaining free agents on the market. Anson Carter is still available and would almost certainly be more valuable to the Leafs in 2006-07 than Tellqvist. The fact Carter has not yet signed with an NHL club is partly resulting from a desire to play in Toronto, his home town. He is coming off a 33-goal campaign with the Vancouver Canucks, and he possesses an element the improved Leafs lack -- natural scoring ability. Logic would suggest Ferguson could easily peddle Tellqvist's meagre $589,000 stipend to any number of clubs seeking goaltending depth for the proverbial "future considerations", thereby enabling him to sign Carter and maintain a small cushion of cap space for possible amendments during the season.
For this to happen, however, it would require a change in direction and philosophy by the Leafs. When we last checked, it appeared as if the club had pencilled in Tellqvist as the No. 2 man on the depth chart, and that makes little sense. This isn't to suggest that Aubin is a threat to win the Vezina Trophy, but he has abundantly more NHL experience than Tellqvist, and was among the top half-dozen goalies in the league during the final six weeks of last season. That should make the Leafs more than comfortable in choosing him to team with Raycroft, and perhaps assume the No. 1 role if Raycroft falters. Just as Aubin did at the end of March, when Ed Belfour was injured, and Tellqvist came up lame in Montreal.
To keep both Aubin and Tellqvist just so the AHL Toronto Marlies will have a bonafide starter is a luxury the cap-starved Leafs cannot afford. Tellqvist's real value to the organization is his tradable contract. Ferguson would be wise to peddle that resource for the realistic chance of upgrading his scoring potential. And, he should do it soon.
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