Mats Sundin’s indecision is affecting the decisions of a number of NHL teams.
With the opening of training camp less than three weeks away, many clubs are wondering what the 37-year-old centre is going to do this season.
While the Leafs, Rangers, Canadiens, Canucks and Flyers have all made pitches to land Sundin, the unrestricted free agent is at home in Sweden weighing his options — which include retirement.
“We’re going to talk to Mats in the middle of this week and try to get a feel for where he’s at,” said Sundin’s agent, J.P. Barry. “There’s no timetable for a decision. We’re just going to try to see how he’s feeling.”
The teams looking to sign Sundin aren’t the only ones who wish he would make a decision. Several teams trying to make moves are being handcuffed by Sundin.
Anaheim is looking to trade defenceman Mathieu Schneider and his $5.6 million (all terms US) salary to an Eastern Conference team, but hasn’t been able to do anything because some of the teams involved in the discussions for Schneider are in the Sundin sweepstakes.
“We just want him to make a decision because he’s holding up the business of the league right now,” a league executive said yesterday. “There are teams that want to make deals, but they can’t do anything until they find out where Sundin is going to go.”
Garrioch states later in his article:
If it’s adoring fans and a strong hockey market Sundin wants, Montreal should be his choice. Heading into the 2008-09 season, the Canadiens might offer Sundin the best shot at winning the Stanley Cup — his biggest reason to move on from the Leafs.
Habster:
I couldn’t agree more with Bruce Garrioch’s assessment of the Sundin situation and how it’s holding up trades/NHL business in the meantime.
I doubt Sundin would wait until Christmas or the new year to make a decision about his hockey future. He might be confused and uncertain about his future but he has been consistent with his class and keeping promises, hopefully this will continue with a decision this week.
On another matter, there have been rumors circulating the internet these days which speculates the Canadiens are interested in acquiring Mathieu Schneider from the Anaheim Ducks (no mention of who would go the other way).
Granted, the Habs could use another solid defenseman to compliment their top four and replace Mark Streit on the PP point. But with that being said, I have a hard time believing Gainey would give up anything substantial from his NHL roster to get the 39 year old Schneider who is a UFA after this season.
Schneider can still contribute on the ice and had a decent year last season with 39 points (G-12 A-27 +22) in 65 games.
Gainey has the cap space to accommodate Schneider’s $5.6 million for the upcoming season and the Canadiens wouldn’t be on the hook beyond this year due to his UFA status after the season.
The Ducks are roughly $3.2 million over the salary cap and need to get to the league maximum before the start of the season. Trading Schneider makes the most sense especially with Scott Niedermayer returning to the fold and supplying offense from the backend along with Chris Pronger.
What would Brian Burke want in return? He will probably try to get a roster player in return but I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a very solid prospect and a draft pick for Schneider. Now only if “Broadway” Sundin could make a decision about his future to facilitate other trade movement…….make a choice, Mats…..make a choice!!!!
Schneider as the highest paid player on the Habs?
Not likely.
Rob,
I agree and that’s why Gainey will not pull the trigger on this deal unless he can only give up a prospect and/or a draft pick.
I wouldn’t give up anyone from the NHL roster for an aging 39 year old player who will be a UFA at season’s end.
Needless to say, it will be interesting to see how things unfold over the next week or two. Watch for a small flurry of action after the Broadway boy finally make a decision about his future.
Thanks for your always insightful and intelligent comments, they’re appreciated and respected!!!
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