Quinn demotes Hoglund
Apr. 18, 2002. 01:30 AM
Barring injuries, Roberts will play on Leafs' top line
Paul Hunter
Sports Reporter
HANS DERYK/ TORONTO STAR
MOVING DOWN: Tonight, Jonas Hoglund may find himself playing with Tie Domi instead of Leafs star Mats Sundin.
Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn may have tipped his hand on his post-season line combinations yesterday. It just depends on Robert Reichel's knee, Shayne Corson's hip, Gary Roberts' ribs, Mikael Renberg's hamstring ...
And you can add a new injury to Toronto's medical glossary — Jonas Hoglund's pride.
While there are never any absolutes at this time of year, in the Leafs' last full practice before opening their playoff series against the Islanders tonight, it appears Quinn has finally dropped Hoglund from the left side of Mats Sundin's line. In his place was Roberts, who is hoping to return to the lineup after missing the final 10 regular-season games with a torn muscle just below his rib cage.
"There are still a lot of things that could change,'' cautioned Quinn. "I don't have all the (medical) clearances yet.''
The Leafs will indeed ice a doctored lineup tonight but yesterday's line rushes offered a substantial hint as to how Quinn will open against the Isles.
After that remodelled No.1 line of Sundin between Roberts and Renberg, Quinn had Travis Green between Darcy Tucker and Alexander Mogilny; Corson flanked by Garry Valk and Paul Healey; then a fourth unit of Alyn McCauley centring Hoglund and Tie Domi. Reichel skated but with the scrubs.
Add a few grains of salt and you have how Toronto will look at the forward positions.
While Roberts said the final decision on whether he can play tonight won't be made until the pre-game skate, it's clear Quinn is hoping the power and grit of two big wingers will complement Sundin's artistry. The Toronto captain is likely to be the target of intense checking from New York's Mike Peca.
"At playoff time you like to see the big guys around (Sundin) because during the season it's like playing rugby some nights with what the opposition is allowed to do to Mats,'' said Quinn.
"If we have hockey rules and big guys with him maybe he'll get some more room."
While Roberts is certainly a more physical presence than Hoglund on Sundin's flank he also has more potential to cash in on the captain's playmaking. It's been a frustrating season for Hoglund who could produce only 13 goals despite spending the bulk of the year on the top unit. Hoglund finished with 199 shots, the second highest total on the squad, but he was seventh in goals.
Roberts, though, wouldn't commit to suiting up tonight.
"You want to be part of it but the long-range plan is to be around here in June. I don't want to risk it too early and not be able to help the team down the stretch. I think I need to be 100 per cent to play and hopefully that'll be the case come game time,'' he said. "It's going to be (decided by) whether or not I can play without tearing it open again. That's what I'm trying to avoid."
If Reichel can dress — and he was secretive about his health after testing his sprained knee at practice — that would also cause some tinkering.
Sundin was typically nonplussed about what wingers he might have beside him tonight.
"It shouldn't be a problem, especially at this time of year. I think everyone is so excited to play, who is going to play with who is such a minor thing at this point,'' he said.
Renberg, who played with Sundin at the end of the regular season after being bounced from that top line previously, was clearly pleased that he'll likely start the playoffs there.
"It's great to play with Mats. He's our best player. He's a superstar in the league,'' said Renberg. " But for me to play with (Reichel's) line or (Green's) line is just as good with me. I don't really care who I play with. I think I can play with anyone but it's great to play with him for sure.
