Madferret
11-17-05, 11:45 AM
Allison denies rift with Quinn
Didn't take beef to GM, centre says
"There's nothing to it" echoes coach
MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER
Despite a series of denials yesterday, the issue of Jason Allison's ice time is threatening to become a major distraction for the Maple Leafs.
Allison, coach Pat Quinn and GM John Ferguson Jr., all disputed reports that said the big centre went to the general manager to press his case for more playing time.
"No, I didn't go to him (Ferguson)," said Allison, who has acknowledged approaching Quinn two weeks ago to ask for an expanded role.
"That is false," said Ferguson. "I will unequivocally tell you it did not happen."
However, a source told the Star that Allison did indeed trump Quinn by taking his request for more ice time to Ferguson.
The source also said that Allison's agent, Eustace King, has been phoning teams to tell them Allison might be available in a trade.
The repeated questions about "Icegate" created a major headache yesterday for a Leafs team trying to win its third consecutive game tonight in Boston.
Quinn, flatly denying reports that Allison "went over his head," was fuming at suggestions the Allison affair had exposed a rift between coach and GM.
"It's factually incorrect," Quinn said. "They (media) throw garbage out there and here I am having to answer questions about it. It's a shame in (the media) someone can throw that up on a wall and it sticks. It's been a five-day story here and there's nothing to it."
Both Allison and Ferguson denied that the player had challenged his coach's decision.
"In Toronto, these are the stories you hear here. What happened and what was reported are two different things. Someone ran with it and quite frankly, I'm (mad) I have to comment on it," Allison said.
Allison, though, remains more in the spotlight than any other Leaf in these salary-cap-conscious days in the NHL. The veteran centre is third in team scoring with three goals and 17 points but will earn up to $4.5 million (U.S.) this season if he realizes all his performance bonuses.
There have been suggestions the Leafs were interested in sending Allison to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were eager to acquire a big forward after losing Rick Nash to injury. That door seemingly closed when the Blue Jackets acquired Sergei Fedorov and his $6 million salary on Tuesday night.
Allison is miffed by the growing number of stories about his unhappiness as a Leaf and his desire for more ice time. While he did approach Quinn, both sides said the meeting was amicable and centred on how Allison could increase his contributions to the team.
Allison enters tonight's game averaging 17:33 of ice time per game. Prior to an 18-month injury layoff that ended when he suited up for the Leafs in September, Allison customarily played more than 20 minutes a game with Washington and Boston.
Both Mats Sundin and Eric Lindros are averaging more than 18 minutes a game this season. Alex Steen (19:07) logged the most ice time against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, in large part because he is the Leafs' best two-way forward at the moment.
Sundin played 18:49, while the line of Eric Lindros (17:42), Chad Kilger (15:27) and Darcy Tucker (14:20) were rewarded for their work ethic and physical play.
Allison, back at centre after a two-game stint on the wing and working on a line with Nik Antropov and Alex Ponikarovsky, came in at 15:34.
Sounds like Allison is still a 'me' player.
Didn't take beef to GM, centre says
"There's nothing to it" echoes coach
MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER
Despite a series of denials yesterday, the issue of Jason Allison's ice time is threatening to become a major distraction for the Maple Leafs.
Allison, coach Pat Quinn and GM John Ferguson Jr., all disputed reports that said the big centre went to the general manager to press his case for more playing time.
"No, I didn't go to him (Ferguson)," said Allison, who has acknowledged approaching Quinn two weeks ago to ask for an expanded role.
"That is false," said Ferguson. "I will unequivocally tell you it did not happen."
However, a source told the Star that Allison did indeed trump Quinn by taking his request for more ice time to Ferguson.
The source also said that Allison's agent, Eustace King, has been phoning teams to tell them Allison might be available in a trade.
The repeated questions about "Icegate" created a major headache yesterday for a Leafs team trying to win its third consecutive game tonight in Boston.
Quinn, flatly denying reports that Allison "went over his head," was fuming at suggestions the Allison affair had exposed a rift between coach and GM.
"It's factually incorrect," Quinn said. "They (media) throw garbage out there and here I am having to answer questions about it. It's a shame in (the media) someone can throw that up on a wall and it sticks. It's been a five-day story here and there's nothing to it."
Both Allison and Ferguson denied that the player had challenged his coach's decision.
"In Toronto, these are the stories you hear here. What happened and what was reported are two different things. Someone ran with it and quite frankly, I'm (mad) I have to comment on it," Allison said.
Allison, though, remains more in the spotlight than any other Leaf in these salary-cap-conscious days in the NHL. The veteran centre is third in team scoring with three goals and 17 points but will earn up to $4.5 million (U.S.) this season if he realizes all his performance bonuses.
There have been suggestions the Leafs were interested in sending Allison to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were eager to acquire a big forward after losing Rick Nash to injury. That door seemingly closed when the Blue Jackets acquired Sergei Fedorov and his $6 million salary on Tuesday night.
Allison is miffed by the growing number of stories about his unhappiness as a Leaf and his desire for more ice time. While he did approach Quinn, both sides said the meeting was amicable and centred on how Allison could increase his contributions to the team.
Allison enters tonight's game averaging 17:33 of ice time per game. Prior to an 18-month injury layoff that ended when he suited up for the Leafs in September, Allison customarily played more than 20 minutes a game with Washington and Boston.
Both Mats Sundin and Eric Lindros are averaging more than 18 minutes a game this season. Alex Steen (19:07) logged the most ice time against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, in large part because he is the Leafs' best two-way forward at the moment.
Sundin played 18:49, while the line of Eric Lindros (17:42), Chad Kilger (15:27) and Darcy Tucker (14:20) were rewarded for their work ethic and physical play.
Allison, back at centre after a two-game stint on the wing and working on a line with Nik Antropov and Alex Ponikarovsky, came in at 15:34.
Sounds like Allison is still a 'me' player.