MAPLE LEAFS: SUNDIN CONTEMPLATES RETIREMENT
August 4, 2008
Former Toronto Maple Leafs center Mats Sundin is seriously contemplating retirement rather than returning to the NHL, according to Toronto’s FAN590.
BOTTOM LINE: According to the source, Sundin’s workout regimen has been different this off season, maybe indicating that the all star centerman has finally decided to hang up his skates. We will update you when we have the final word.
The Mats Sundin Saga
July 23, 2008
The people in Toronto must not be enjoying how the whole Mats Sundin story is playing out. Sundin has been playing for Toronto for the last 13 seasons, and the fans in Toronto would cringe to see him play for the rival Vancouver Canucks. But, Sundin hasn’t even admitted that he is playing at all. So is he? Or isn’t he?
One report surfaced a couple of weeks ago that had Vancouver offering Sundin $10 million per season to play there, but Sundin didn’t budge. It’s pretty much common knowledge that Vancouver is offering the most lucrative deal, but Sundin refuses to admit that he is leaning towards playing there, or anywhere for that matter.
Initially, Sundin preferred the Rangers, but I guess the interest was not mutual, because the Rangers added Marcus Naslund, and I don’t think they would have the cap room to add a guy like Sundin.
Toronto is still in it too. Sundin has said that they are still players for his services.
It looks like Vancouver is the most likely scenario, but retirement could be an option as well. My gut is telling me that Sundin is going to go with the green, and sign a contract to play for the rival Vancouver Canucks, and then the Canucks announcers will have a field day pronouncing a line of Mats Sundin, Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. We will have to wait and see what happens.
–MICHAEL GANCI
MAPLE LEAFS: Sundin Undecided
July 22, 2008
Free agent center Mats Sundin remains undecided about where or if he is going to play next season. There was a report that said he had signed with the Vancouver Canucks, but Sundin debunked that rumor.
BOTTOM LINE: The most likely scenario for Sundin is Vancouver, which is why all of these premature reports seem to be leaking. We will wait and see how this situation develops.
MAPLE LEAFS: Rangers Talking to Sundin
June 24, 2008
Toronto Maple Leafs center Mats Sundin is in talks with the Rangers. In addition to New York, Montreal and Detroit were given permission to speak to the Leaf’s captain.
BOTTOM LINE: He becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and Toronto will be compensated if a team signs Sundin before July 1.
Contract Handcuffs
February 29, 2008
But I have to say, I HATE these no trade clauses. I’m a Toronto Maple Leaf fan, so if you’ve been following the deadline you understand why I would hate these clauses so much. What bothers me most is that a guy like Mats Sundin – the captain and heart of our team for over a decade — is not the only one with a no trade clause. Bryan McCabe, Darcy Tucker, and Tomas Kaberle all have these dreaded clauses. Even recently acquired (sort of recently acquired) Pavel Kubina has one!
Out of those four, Tomas Kaberle might be the only one worthy of the clause which makes me think: Why doesn’t the league have some discussions with the NHLPA and come up with a solution to a problem that handcuffs teams with terrible managerial skills? I know, I know, it’s not the player’s fault that management is dumb, but it IS the player’s fault that these clauses are brought up in discussion.
The league should look into the idea of an NFL-like “Franchise Tag” situation where a team is allotted two-to-three no-trade clauses. That way you can ONLY lock up your true cornerstones. It would limit the demand and leverage from upcoming UFAs negotiating a contract. The UFAs already have way more leverage than needed.
PLEASE consider…having about $20 million locked up for just four players makes me cry a little.
J.P. Del Monte
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