That was the clear message that GM John Ferguson was sending yesterday when he extended qualifying offers to both Belak and Perrott, offers that will almost certainly be accepted. And with unrestricted free agency looming for Domi, Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk at noon today, there's a very good chance that all three could hit the open market and be available to the highest bidder.

Over the weekend, Ferguson extended an offer to Domi, a pitch with which sources said Domi was, "not impressed." It was believed to be a one-year deal at about $850,000 (all figures U.S.), but Domi is reportedly seeking a two-year pact worth $2 million.

"We have a difference of opinion in both term and economics," said Domi's agent, Pat Morris. That's where Belak and Perrott come in. Even though neither is Domi's equal when it comes to the total package, if the Leafs had not qualified them, it would have given Domi leverage in contract negotiations.

There's almost no chance all three players will be in the Leafs lineup next season. Should Domi re-sign, the Leafs will either trade Belak or send Perrott to the Marlies on a minor-league salary. Belak received a qualifying offer of $798,000 and Perrott was qualified at the league minimum of $450,000. Also qualified yesterday were centre/right winger Nik Antropov ($1 million), defenceman Aki Berg ($1.1 million) and defenceman Karel Pilar ($450,000). Chad Kilger, who was picked up on waivers at the trade deadline in 2004, was not given a qualifying offer, but re-signed with the Leafs on a one-year deal at $475,000.

The qualifying offer the Leafs made to Alexei Ponikarovsky last summer still stands and with the 24 per cent rollback, his offer stands at the league minimum of $450,000.

Whether all the players accept the offers remains to be seen. Despite claims to the contrary, there are still reports that Antropov is seriously considering playing in Russia this season on a more lucrative deal. All the others are expected to accept their offers by the Aug. 15 deadline. Ferguson will now turn his attention to Domi, Roberts and Nieuwendyk, all three of whom will likely become unrestricted free agents this afternoon. That does not preclude any of them from signing with the Leafs, but it does allow all other 29 teams to speak to them. There are reports that the Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators are interested in Roberts and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Domi.

That has not appeared to faze Ferguson, who reportedly has placed a value on each of the players and is prepared to see any or all of them leave rather than pay them more than what he thinks they are worth. That amount is reportedly in the $1.5 million range for Roberts and Nieuwendyk and under $1 million for Domi.

Meanwhile, the Leafs roster took a big step toward being completed with yesterday's qualifying offers. As it stands now, the Maple Leafs look as though they have 16 players under contract at a total salary of $28.7 million, which leaves them with $10.3 million to sign seven more players, assuming all the players accept their qualifying offers and the Leafs go with a 23-man roster.

Goalies Ed Belfour ($5.6 million) and Mikael Tellqvist ($450,000) are under contract, as will be defencemen Bryan McCabe ($3.5 million), Tomas Kaberle ($2.28 million), Ken Klee ($1.9 million), Berg ($1.1 million) and Pilar ($450,000). The Leafs could also add Carlo Colaiacovo at a cost of $859,000.

Up front, the Leafs have Mats Sundin (making $6.8 million, but accounting for $6.3 million under the salary cap), Darcy Tucker ($1.6 million), Jeff O'Neill ($1.5 million), Antropov ($1 million), Matt Stajan (805,000), Belak ($798,000), Kilger ($475,000), Ponikarovsky ($450,000) and Perrott ($450,000).