Habster:
This is an aggressive move by Bob Gainey which shows how serious the Canadiens organization is about improving their current roster. Let’s hope they can get a deal done or at least extend the 24 hour period to further explore talks.
This is an aggressive move by Bob Gainey which shows how serious the Canadiens organization is about improving their current roster. Let’s hope they can get a deal done or at least extend the 24 hour period to further explore talks.
Money shouldn’t be the issue with convincing Mats Sundin to come to Montreal as he has been playing for the Maple Leafs at a below market value for the past couple of years. I’m sure George Gillett would be more than happy to give Sundin $8-$9 million per season over 2 or 3 years.
The other positive factors in Montreal’s favour are that they are in the Eastern conference and still close enough to Toronto where Sundin has business and personal interests.
The Canadiens are also a legitimate Stanley Cup contender with an offensively gifted roster that would greatly compliment Mats Sundin’s style of play, something he hasn’t had the last few years in Toronto where he carried the offensive burden on most nights.
The questions that remain to be answered are beyond money, familarity and the team’s success for Sundin.
He is a fiercely loyal to the Maple Leafs organization and their fans (why?, I have no idea as he doesn’t owe them anything) as he demonstrated at the trade deadline last season when he refused to waiver his no-trade clause. Sundin might think signing with the Leafs’ greatest NHL rival would badly affect his legacy with Leafs fans and the Toronto media.
Beyond the loyalty aspect, there is the “burning desire” factor which most 37 year old veteran hockey players must address each off-season regardless how well they still play. Unless your name is Chris Chelios, most players have to dig deep to begin their off-season training regiment, Mats Sundin is no different.
The last factor might be the least determinant of the bunch but is still something that might be a concern, it’s called leadership desires or simply put, the captaincy of the team. Sundin has displayed great leadership qualities very similar to Saku Koivu and has been the Leafs’ captain forever so how do the Canadiens handle the dressing room situation.
Regardless what transpires with the Sundin situation, you have to like the way Bob Gainey is being more aggressive in his pursuit to improve his NHL roster.