No set centreman to play with Kessel

Posted By LANCE HORNBY, SUN MEDIA

Posted 23 days ago

For years, the Maple Leafs had trouble getting a compatible sideman for centre Mats Sundin.

Now the quest is on to find the ideal centre for the potential 40-goal right winger Phil Kessel. For now, the job is Matt Stajan's, but embattled coach Ron Wilson won't wait too long to switch if there's no sparks on the line with Jason Blake, and even suggests the best centre candidate might be Nazem Kadri, now toiling in junior the rest of this season.

"I'm going to be patient and hope there's chemistry," Wilson said before last night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "But if it's not working, at some point other guys will get opportunities.

"We're developing centres in the minors (such as Tyler Bozak) and one in junior who will probably be Phil's centreman. In this environment, Stajan is probably the most prepared to handle a player such as that. I'm hoping Stajan has the tools to get the puck to him. Now, it's a matter of timing."

Stajan, coming off a career year, has seven points in his first 11 games, but is also a minus seven.

"You want a chance like this with a natural scorer," Stajan said. "This adds a different dynamic to what you're used to. Now that Phil's here, we'll try and make the most of it."

lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca