Hockey Trades, Rumors & SigningsThe NHL always has a very active trading rumor-mill. Who is the next player to be shipped out? And who will be the next big free agent signing? Discuss NHL trade rumors and free agents.
If we believe Sundin himself, he said that he didn't want to join a team at the deadline just to win a Cup, that he wants to be part of it from day one until the end. He may be a liar I don't know, but he certainly doesn't have that reputation so I take his word for face value.
You beat me to it. Money is important, but at some point, those guys are set for life, especially at that stage of their life. Just about every player in the NHL will tell you that more than money, their ultimate goal is to win a Stanley Cup. Montreal, more than Vancouver and Toronto, could provide him with this chance within the next year or two.
You are exactly right JL
He has said many times he doen't believe in the rental player concept. He is of the beflief that to make it truley special, you win it from training camp to final game of the cup final with one team. I can't fault that ideal, its not one that I would adhere to if I'm an NHL player, but everyone has their own ideas about things.
Fast forward to now, I doubt he signs with the Leafs or the Canucks. If he does decide to come back it will either be Ottawa or Montreal. Detroit is another possibilty, but I'm not sure if he wants to do all that traveling being in the WC. Wherever or if ever he signs, I think there will be room at the end of his career to finish it off in Toronto and enter the HOF in Leaf colours.
He has said many times he doen't believe in the rental player concept. He is of the beflief that to make it truley special, you win it from training camp to final game of the cup final with one team. I can't fault that ideal, its not one that I would adhere to if I'm an NHL player, but everyone has their own ideas about things.
Fast forward to now, I doubt he signs with the Leafs or the Canucks. If he does decide to come back it will either be Ottawa or Montreal. Detroit is another possibilty, but I'm not sure if he wants to do all that traveling being in the WC. Wherever or if ever he signs, I think there will be room at the end of his career to finish it off in Toronto and enter the HOF in Leaf colours.
PS: Welcome back JL!
I doubt it will be Ottawa because Ottawa is looking for a top 6 forward but Sundin might be a bit expensive.
I doubt it will be Ottawa because Ottawa is looking for a top 6 forward but Sundin might be a bit expensive.
Unless Mats is willing to take a paycut.
Considering he has apparently turned down a 20 million dollar offer from the Canucks, I'd say its within the realm of possibility that he might take a cut in pay.
Considering he has apparently turned down a 20 million dollar offer from the Canucks, I'd say its within the realm of possibility that he might take a cut in pay.
He hasn't turned down anything, yet. Scuttlebutt around town is that Mats is here in Vancouver right now checking out the city and that a decision on his part may come sooner than expected.
He hasn't turned down anything, yet. Scuttlebutt around town is that Mats is here in Vancouver right now checking out the city and that a decision on his part may come sooner than expected.
I heard Berger say that on the Fan590 this morning, I also read that rotowire has Sundin all but signed in Montreal.
I heard Berger say that on the Fan590 this morning, I also read that rotowire has Sundin all but signed in Montreal.
So it all depends on who you want to believe.
Other than the geography, I don't get what the big deal about Montreal is.
Yes, they have better scoring depth than Vancouver at the moment, but add Sundin and Demitra to the Canucks and that changes things a lot. And I'd argue that Vancouver's forward group would have much better balance, as it would be bigger and tougher than Montreal's.
Daniel / Henrik / Bernier
Raymond / Sundin / Demitra
Burrows / Kesler / Pyatt
Hordichuk / Johnson / Pettinger
Wellwood, Cowan
As long as the Canucks D stays healthy, it's deeper and and at least as well balanced as what the Habs have. Although I'll grant Markov is the best scorer of the bunch. And Gillis isn't done adding to his group, as rumours suggest he is courting Nashville's Koistinen.
Other than the geography, I don't get what the big deal about Montreal is.
Yes, they have better scoring depth than Vancouver at the moment, but add Sundin and Demitra to the Canucks and that changes things a lot. And I'd argue that Vancouver's forward group would have much better balance, as it would be bigger and tougher than Montreal's.
Daniel / Henrik / Bernier
Raymond / Sundin / Demitra
Burrows / Kesler / Pyatt
Hordichuk / Johnson / Pettinger
Wellwood, Cowan
As long as the Canucks D stays healthy, it's deeper and and at least as well balanced as what the Habs have. Although I'll grant Markov is the best scorer of the bunch. And Gillis isn't done adding to his group, as rumours suggest he is courting Nashville's Koistinen.
Other than the geography, I don't get what the big deal about Montreal is.
Yes, they have better scoring depth than Vancouver at the moment, but add Sundin and Demitra to the Canucks and that changes things a lot. And I'd argue that Vancouver's forward group would have much better balance, as it would be bigger and tougher than Montreal's.
Daniel / Henrik / Bernier
Raymond / Sundin / Demitra
Burrows / Kesler / Pyatt
Hordichuk / Johnson / Pettinger
Wellwood, Cowan
I would have to disagree.
Kostitsyn / Higgins / Kostitsyn
Looks pretty good. They have the ability to be almost equivalent to the Canucks top line (given equal PP time).
Their numbers wont be as good playing behind Koivu, Kovalev and Tanguay, but its close.
Vancouver's fowards just cant compare.
Whatever. You're comparing Higgins to Henrik Sedin, one the highest assist getters in the league since the lockout? Give it all the time you want, Higgins will never be as good.
Maybe the Kaststysins will match the Sedins in another couple of seasons, but what good does that do Sundin now?
The Habs have a lot of small, skilled forwards that play a great perimeter game. Think back to last year's playoffs...were the Habs forwards blocking a lot of shots? Were they getting to the middle of the ice with any consistency? With the adding Bernier, Johnson and Hordichuk to a group that already includes Kesler, Burrows and Pyatt, the Canucks have much better balance.
Take a look at the centre group. Who would you take?
Henrik Sedin, Sundin, Kesler and Johnson or Koivu, Sundin, Higgins and Begin?
Looks pretty close to me.
Look at Vancouver's group with Demitra and Sundin added. Tell if anything's missing from that group. Now do the same thing with Montreal's group.
The point is, Montreal isn't that much closer to a Stanley Cup than Vancouver is. Certainly not the way most people seem to think.
Now, if the Habs added Sundin, that's different of course. But I don't think his chances in Montreal are any greater than they are in Vancouver.
The only real question is, does 20 million dollars outweigh the goeographical concerns to Mats and his family?
The Mats Sundin watch...
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