 |
Wayne Primeau still wears a blue and white No. 18 on his helmet, but wonders if he'll have anywhere to hang it in a few weeks.
The Whitby native was not re-signed by the Leafs and knows he'll need a big break to retain a National Hockey League job.
"I still feel I can play and contribute to a team," Primeau said Monday at the MasterCard Centre, where he's playing with the Leafs' summer stock to keep fit. "Hopefully someone steps forward and gives me a chance.
"My ultimate wish is to come back to Toronto for a another season and be a veteran (presence) to help the younger guys. But it seems to be looking dimmer and dimmer as the days go on."
Primeau is 34 and has played regularly since 1996-97 for seven clubs. Last year, he had eight points and was minus-1 in 59 games here. If he was a scoring centre, it would be a different story, but the Leafs have an abundance of kids to try on their bottom two lines.
"I know the injuries I've had in the past have been a bit of a hindrance," Primeau said. "It's been a slow summer, but I know I can still play."
He isn't interested in a stint in the minors at this stage.
"I talk to my agent pretty frequently and while nothing is set in stone, I think there's a couple of teams interested."