TORONTO - There won't be any knives out for NDP Leader Howard Hampton after a disappointing showing in the provincial election, caucus members said Monday after holding their first meeting following the Oct. 10 vote.

Despite high hopes going into the election that the third-place party might hold the balance of power in a minority government, the NDP ended up with 10 seats -- the same number of members it had when the legislature dissolved in September.

Although Hampton himself mused about whether he would stay on as leader during the campaign and one contender says she is being drafted to replace him, Niagara member Peter Kormos said he doesn't expect a leadership race any time soon.

"He's a hockey player,'' Kormos said of Hampton. "When you play hockey, you've got to have endurance. He's a long-distance runner . . . Howard is the leader of the party and we're proud of his leadership. There is no party leadership contest.''

Caucus members held a quiet, informal meeting Monday without an agenda or the glare of the media which was described as "upbeat.''

Although some party members have privately suggested it might be time for some "new energy'' at the helm, caucus members focused on the party's increase in popular vote and said the party's message was lost in the debate over religious schools funding.

"People could see the difficulties we had in a squeeze play,'' said Toronto member Peter Tabuns, whose name has been mentioned as a possible leadership contender. "Overall, I'd say morale is pretty high.''

Any musings about Hampton's leadership and possible successors is "moot,'' Tabuns said when asked whether he's mulling over a run.

"He's happily ensconced as leader,'' Tabuns said. "It's not on the drawing board.''

But another New Democrat being touted as a possible successor said some members are looking to the future. Marilyn Churley, a former Toronto member, said there has been a campaign to recruit her to run for the party's leadership.

The NDP showing in the election was "very disappointing,'' she added.

"We came so close in so many of those ridings,'' said Churley, who spent time canvassing for the party.

But in spite of the party's dashed hopes, Churley said Hampton won't be forced out by her or other party members.