*** AS OF 10:18 P.M. EDT: RYAN SMYTH IS LEANING HEAVILY TOWARDS SIGNING WITH COLORADO; AGENT MEEHAN TALKING TO AVALANCHE AS WE SPEAK; SAKIC WORKING OVERTIME TO GET SMYTH IN AVS JERSEY; MORE TO FOLLOW***

TORONTO (July 1) -- As of 9:45 p.m. EDT tonight, a good source tells me Ryan Smyth has narrowed his list of teams to four -- Colorado, Calgary, Montreal and the Islanders. The Canadiens have the most tempting offer on the table at $39 million over six years, which means Smyth would be guaranteed to make $6.5 million in the final season of the contract at age 37. Not a bad number. But, neither Smyth nor his wife are said to be happy with playing in Montreal. Smyth reportedly told his agent, Don Meehan, that he didn't like the Maple Leafs' depth, and does not believe the Canadiens or the Islanders will be strong enough teams in the immediate future. The Islanders have a five-year, $32.5 million deal ($6.5 million/season) on the table.

Right now, it appears to be between Colorado and Calgary. Avalanche captain Joe Sakic is pushing Smyth hard to sign in Denver. The Avs have offered Smyth $31.25 million over five years ($6.25/season). The Flames have two offers on the table -- five years at $6.15 million per season, or six years at $5.67 per season. Privacy could be an issue with the Smyth family, which might take Calgary out of the picture; Smyth would be swamped in every corner of that hockey-mad city if he signed with the Flames.

Meanwhile, new Leaf Jason Blake spoke to the media via conference call this evening. He's happy to be in Toronto because he thinks the Leafs are making a big attempt to win, having acquired Vesa Toskala before him. Blake feels his scoring ability and competitive edge will help the Leafs and said he'd obviously be thrilled to play alongside Mats Sundin. Late in the conference call, I asked him about the reputation that he is not a popular player among his teammates. Blake did not flatly deny the claim, saying only that he has a fierce desire to win and isn't shy about making that known to others in the dressing room. Which shouldn't be a bad thing in the Leafs' room after two consecutive playoff misses.

GM John Ferguson felt he was done for the night, but said he has other oars in the water and would not rule out making a trade in the next 24 hours to free up some cap space. Though Ferguson, typically, would not comment on specific players (Slava Kozlov, for instance), bet on another card falling before the Leafs call it quits.

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