By DAVE FULLER -- Toronto Sun
  Sergei Berezin may not be the biggest flop since the Leafs traded Russ Courtnall for John Kordic, just the most expensive. 
 The second-year right-winger was removed from the lineup Saturday in New Jersey and isn't expected to dress tonight in Washington or tomorrow against Tampa. 
  Berezin, 26, signed a four-year contract last summer worth $5.3 million - a deal which includes a club option for a fifth season at $2.2 million. 
 Five months later, the Leafs can't say for sure that Berezin even will be around next summer. 
 "I think he's still able. I think he has to commit more," Leafs coach Mike Murphy said of Berezin. 
 Seldom-used Czech rookie Martin Prochazka stands to gain the most from Berezin's benching. 
 Prochazka has played the past two games on a line with Steve Sullivan and Derek King, collecting one goal and one assist. 
 "I know the system we're playing is not conducive to an offensive player," Murphy said. "We demand that everyone on the team compete for the puck, compete along the boards, compete for position in front of the net and even more than that, to play well in their own end." 
 The trouble with Berezin, who has 10 goals and 19 points, is that he's so one-dimensional. 
 On the other hand, he's one of only three Leafs to reach 25 goals last season - along with Mats Sundin and Wendel Clark - which is why the Leafs paid such a premium to re-sign the Group II free agent. 
 "I don't know if it was a mistake (to sign him to a long-term deal)," said assistant to the president Bill Watters, who negotiated Berezin's contract. "We didn't have many guys with 25 goals last year. He also had the option of going back to Germany to play. 
 "When you consider Ray Sheppard is making $1.7 million in Florida and has nine goals; that Kirk Muller signed for $1.7 million and has two goals; that Trevor Linden has seven goals and is making $2.5 million, Sergei's numbers don't look so bad." 
 In fact, Berezin is tied for fifth in Leafs scoring, despite missing six games. He just doesn't seem to fit in, which is why the Leafs may look to trade him. 
 Several clubs inquired about Berezin last season, though there has been little interest this winter. 
 Meanwhile, the Leafs face a Washington club tonight that routed them 4-1 in the season opener at the Gardens. Toronto also is winless (0-3-2) in its past five starts. 
 "Washington has good team speed," Murphy said. "We can't let them fly through the neutral zone like they did here. 
 "They have (defencemen) like Phil Housley, Sylvain Cote and Sergei Gonchar who like to jump into the play. We have to close the neutral zone off to them." 
 There's a chance Glenn Healy could start in goal as Felix Potvin continues to struggle with his confidence. 
 "Sometimes the puck looks like the size of a basketball. Other times it looks like a pea," Murphy said. 
 "I don't think it's (his reflexes). There's a waning of confidence. That's the only thing I can see."