MacK_Attack

No, he misses 15 games once the doctors in the Substance Abuse program decide that he is able to play (which is probably going to be before the season starts). He then goes to jail after the season ends.

From TSN.ca http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=218124&hubname=

The white jersey they showed is the Marlies jersey. McDonald's is a major sponsor of the Marlies.

I think they floated that idea for a little public feedback and let's just say, it wasn't good.

- Bruno St. Jacques (Toronto) - Gordie Dwyer (NY Islanders) - Joel Bouchard (Columbus)

It is photoshopped. The Leafs faxed out pictures of the jerseys to all the local media on the condition that they not show it until after 3pm today. All the media could comment on were the changes, so somebody went ahead and created the image above based on those changes. The only one that isn't clear is the laces in the front, they may or may not be there, but everything else is accurate of what the jersey will look like.

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Columnist...481428-sun.html

If he had ultimate control of the team in every hockey aspect, it would be the best thing that has happened to the team since Conn Smythe ran it. That's my feeling.

I think that might be a disguised ultimatum to the Leafs for them to give him the power or shove it, basically.

Hatcher is still under contract with the Flyers.

The Leafs do something like that for training camp. You know, they have them run those ticket packages up to the top floor of those office towers via the emergency staircases. Who needs bag skates?

A quick list of Niedermayer's accomplishments: - Stanley Cup (4) - Conn Smythe Trophy - Norris Trophy - Olympic Gold Medal - World Championship - World Cup - Memorial Cup - World Junior Hockey Championship - NHL First All-Star Team - NHL Second All-Star Team - NHL All-Rookie Team There is nothing left for him to play for. I don't blame him for not having any desire left. What's he playing for? I think it's a little on the selfish side to be taking this long, but at the same time, this is the type of decision that you want to be absolutely sure of. I don't think Scotty wants to announce his retirement, go through all of the pomp and circumstance of getting his jersey retired in New Jersey and then realize that he still wants to play. I think he just wants to get it right the first time. That said, for the sake of his teammates, the sooner the better.

He's also not under contract and doesn't have to make his intentions known anytime soon if he doesn't want to.

Sounds like the presser will be to announce that he's not retired yet, but that he also won't be at training camp. Roger Clemens has set quite the precedent.

Yeah, but Wayne was in his 20s and was chasing down Gordie Howe's records at that point. Niedermayer is 34, he's won a Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe, four Stanley Cups, Olympic Gold, World Cup....you name it. He's got more than enough money to live the rest of his life in upscale comfort and he's got his health. Perfect time to go out if you ask me. Niedermayer has nothing left to prove, nothing left to accomplish.

Want more what? What does he have left to win or accomplish? Nothing. He's done it all and he has a chance to go out as a champion at the age of 34. Why not? Get out while he still has his body. Well, Scotty boy has four of them now.

I dunno, what does he have left to prove? He's won everything and anything that an NHL player could possibly win at his position and he now has a chance to get out while he still has his health. He's made more than enough money to keep his family living a good life from here on in, honestly, I can completely understand why he'd walk away now.

John Ferguson just confirmed on the FAN 590 that his placement into Stage 2 was required as part of his plea agreement. He has been in Stage 1 since he was charged with DUI and hit-and-run and has passed every blood-alcohol test admistered since that time. Fergie expects to have a Bell back before the season starts.

Darren Dreger of TSN reporting that the Leafs have suspended Mark Bell indefinitely as he has been placed in Stage 2 of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse program.

There have been some reports that indicate that this may be part of his plea agreement. Bell recently claimed in the Hockey News that he's been sober for almost a year.

Fergie has said that the only free agent he'd even consider at this point is Peter Forsberg, and he appears to be a Christmas signing. The Leafs have a glut at forward, even without Bell in the mix. They'll have like 18 forwards in camp who could realistically play in the NHL, or could at least challenge for a spot. 1. Sundin 2. Blake 3. Tucker 4. Wellwood 5. Steen 6. Antropov 7. Ponikarovsky 8. Stajan 9. Kilger 10. Devereaux 11. Battaglia 12. Belak 13. Salmelainen 14. Gamache 15. Newbury 16. Ondrus 17. Pohl 18. Jeremy Williams Then you have Mark Bell, which makes 19 forwards. They'll also have about 9 defencemen in camp with NHL capabilities.

On the purely hockey side, this does free up over $2 million in cap space for the Leafs.