Slightly North

Ack this makes me sad... from TSN:

On the same day he started his new job, Ferguson told the Toronto Sun he does not expect Gilmour to be with the team this season.

''At this point, certainly he would not be in our plans,'' Ferguson told the newspaper. ''If he calls, I will speak with him. His current health is probably a question and it remains to be seen where we would be there.''

Gilmour was acquired by the Leafs at the trade deadline last season but suffered a knee injury in his first game. While he is now an unrestricted free agent, the former Leafs captain has made it known he wants to return this season.

''I'm not here to beg for a job,'' Gilmour said Friday. ''The only thing I'm concentrating on right now is working hard through September and October. If I can do it, I'll do it and then we'll see if they want me back.''

Gilmour continues to rehabilitate his injured knee following major reconstructive surgery. He hopes to take to the ice next week.

Toronto finally has a GM. John Ferguson Jr. has been hired as the 12th general manager in team history. Pat Quinn, who relinquished the GM role he had held for the past three years to Ferguson, remains head coach of the team.

Yesterday it was announced that defenceman Andrei Markov has agreed to a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens. Last season Markov led all Montreal defenceman in scoring with 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 79 games.

Trying to find a new home for Curtis Joseph may be on hold.

According to a report in the Toronto Sun, the Detroit Red Wings goaltender underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair an injured ankle and is expected to be out for four or five months which means he would not be ready to play until January.

An MRI exam at a Cleveland hospital, possibly ordered by the Boston Bruins who were supposedly trying to work out a deal for Joseph, revealed that he required surgery. The injury will likely put an end to any imminent trade talks the Red Wings were having with teams interested in acquiring the goaltender.

Can't say I saw that coming...

Sorry for the lack of news this last week. As you know this is about the worst time for hockey news. Though, I do have one thing that caught my attention.

It was just announced that Boston is very interested in CuJo. Add Boston to the growing list of clubs who need a good starting goalie and don't mind paying top dollar for him. Looks like he will be going east for sure though. Doubtless Detroit will not want to allow him to hurt their chances in the West.

Only a few more weeks to go until training camps start.