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It's been quite a while since i've posted my two cents in this thread so here it goes...
Gord the more and more you post it makes me not want to have this guy. He is older and who knows how he will fair playing on a new team. At this time I would much rather toss $10 million at Selanne. I am sure it wouldn't take $10 million to lure him here but at this stage I would rather have Selanne then Sundin.
Pruches, I said way back at the beginning of all this that Canuck fans would do well to temper their expectations should Mats sign in Vancouver. Given that he'd be coming to a tighter conference on a team that makes defensive hockey it's top priority combined with the fact that he'd be best suited as the second line centre that plays on the top PP unit, Canuck fans would do well to be satisfied with 30 goals and 70 points from him. Where I would hope he would have the biggest impact would be on our powerplay.
As for Selanne, I would have to disagree. You throw that money at Mats because he fits their short term needs perfectly. If you want to add more scoring to the wing, there are cheaper options.
My key reasoning is that if Sundin is so unsure where/if he wants to play how do we know his motivation will be back up top come season opener.
Everything I've heard is that once Mats is committed, he's in 100%. It would shock me to no end if we were to see a repeat of the Messier era in Vancouver. I'd be more concerned about Mats staying healthy than I would about his level of commitment.
In my honest opinion I suggest Gillies take the offer off of the table and throw a chunk of it at Shanny, Nylander, Selanne , Nagy or hell even Mark Parrish. None of those guys might have the skill of Sundin but there will definetly be room to sign one or two of them with cap room left rather than putting all our marbles into this question mark named Sundin.
Again, from what I've heard, the cap hit for Sundin would be 5 mil per. Plenty of room to still add Parrish at 2 mil, but don't be surprised if, Sundin does sign here, that Gillis goes looking to bolster the depth on the blueline instead.
We already have 13 forwards who are all on one way contracts. So somebody is moving regardless of the new face that comes in.
Just because Krog and Cowan have one-way deals, it by no means guarantees them a spot here. The Canucks are perfectly willing to pay them 6 digit contracts to play in Manitoba. And guys like Raymond, Wellwood and Bernier will still have to earn their spots on the team.
Bottom line is we're a better team with him rather than without. Once there back in the game then there back. Refer to Nieds and Selanne last season.
No question they are a better team over the immediate short term. But it's not the end of the world should he not sign here. Young players most often show better when they know there is a legitimate spot open to be had at camp. And I do believe that we're just seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of the changes that this roster will undergo under Gillis. Getting Sundin simply buys Gillis time.
I may have contradicted myself here but my final input is to say that If there was a 20 million dollar offer on the table with a no trade clause would you turn it down?? Hell no. The fact that he hasn't made up his mind yet shows that he isn't particularly interested in coming here. So take this offer off the table and throw this money at some other player. Who has atleast a little interest in coming to the west.
Despite the twisting of words in the media and regardless of my personal feelings on the subject, you have to credit Mats for sticking to his word. He said in early July that he wouldn't make a decision until August. We'll know by the end of the weekend what his decision is. Just because he didn't jump on the offer, it doesn't mean he still won't take what Gillis put in front of him.
Just my two cents.
At least by Sunday or Monday, this will all be over and we can get on with looking ahead to the season.
Maybe he wants to see what the look of the team is going to be, not sure, I just get the feeling that if he does play it will only be with the Leafs.
I mean, if we were to believe his story over the last 6 months or so he has always said he will remain a Leaf and will retire a Leaf.
The whole thing about this mess is that all of the stories and popular beliefs behind this story is all due to the paparazzi types out there, and the fans are the one that are giving this thing legs.
Me I prefer (for the most part) to take a back seat and see where this thing is going to end up.
From what Gainey said yesterday, I have a feeling that if the Habs don't hear from Sundin's camp very soon, Montreal won't be an option anymore... and Gainey is not one to mess with that kind of BS.
Sakic can make up his mind... What's the hold-up Mats???
__________________ "Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.
He's either a self-absorbed person, or he just doesn't know what to do with the hip. heck I'de take the 20mil, and then, hay-who cares about the hip!
Bingo. I mean, think about it. He can take the 20 mil, and then, if by Christmas, he really feels that he's just no longer up for the challenge of playing at that level anymore, he can retire and keep the cash.
Like I've said, he's a damn fool if he doesn't take the money.
And don't tell me again the money doesn't mean anything. If that was the case, he'd sign for the league min with Rangers. People said the same thing about Sakic, and look what he signed for.
"I never had a deadline. I know there was talk about the first of August, but I never said. I said sometime in August hopefully I'll be able to make a decision"
Mat Sundin quote, found it under Google News.
Sakic's contract? He owes it to his union brothers to sign such a deal. Hell, I wont complain though.
__________________ Wear this signature if you want a chatroom back at HF!
The Mats Sundin watch...
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