Why is he out in the cold - I mean California? He’s a free agent now, it seems, but what happened to Mr Maple Leafs? I must have missed something.
I don’t follow the NHL much anymore, but apparently he was the subject of numerous trade rumors when it became clear that the Leafs weren’t going anywhere and his contract was about to run out; but he refused to waive his no-trade clause, saying he’d rather win a Stanley Cup over the course of a season than to act as a hired gun for a big-market team.
His contract ran out at the end of the 07-08 season. Seems he got a number of offers from various teams, including the Leafs, one of which would have made him the highest-paid player in the league. Apparently, he just really wants to make sure he’s in tip-top shape before jumping back into the game, and for some reason has decided L.A. is the place to do it. Actually, I can kinda see it–L.A. certainly has a fitness-buff-friendly culture.
Of course, he could just be taking a well-deserved break and spending some quality time with the fine hookers and blow we offer in Southern California.