Sundin.. Should he stay or go?

[b3GS]

http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/Toronto+abuzz+with+debate+over+whether+captain+Mat s+Sundin+should+go/NHL/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=45947025&feedname=CP-SPORTS-HOCKEY&show=True&number=6&showbyline=False&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False



Toronto abuzz with debate over whether captain Mats Sundin should go
09/01/2008 6:09:00 PM
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TORONTO - The NHL's trade deadline is more than six weeks away but you wouldn't know it in Toronto.

Both of the city's daily newspapers ran stories on the front of their sports section Wednesday examining the merits of a potential trade involving captain Mats Sundin. Radio call-in shows also devoted time to the topic.

This, despite the fact that GM John Ferguson has said that he hasn't even spoken to anyone about the possibility of trading his best player.

Efforts to reach Ferguson on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The Toronto Star had former NHL executives and other hockey personalities come up with theoretical packages that each deemed suitable in exchange for Sundin. The Toronto Sun ran a large photo of the Leafs captain with the headline: "To stay or go?"

Sundin is the longest-serving member of the Maple Leafs and has served as team captain since 1997. He is also the franchise leader in goals and points.

The 36-year-old is currently earning US$5.5 million on a one-year contract that includes a no-trade clause. He has said repeatedly that he wants to finish his career in Toronto and reiterated that stance on Tuesday during a lengthy scrum with reporters in Anaheim, Calif.

"I don't want to go anywhere else and that's not going to change," said Sundin. "If they were to ask me about (waiving the no-trade clause), I'd obviously have to sit down and think about what my options are.

"But I know in my heart that I want to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs."

The NHL's trade deadline is Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. ET.

Those advocating a deal involving Sundin see it as an opportunity for the Leafs to receive valuable assests that would help the team down the road. With 48 points (20-28) in the first 42 games, Sundin is on pace for his most productive season in Toronto, where he's played since being acquired in a trade with Quebec at the 1994 draft.

However, the Maple Leafs entered Wednesday night's game against the Ducks only five points out of a playoff spot in the tight Eastern Conference.

It would take a strong second half for Toronto to work its way into the top eight in the conference but it's certainly within the realm of possibility. The Leafs are trying to avoid missing out on post-season play three years in a row for the first time since 1925-27.

Sundin becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and could come back to Toronto if he were to be dealt away, just as other veteran NHLers have done in recent years.

But he says the idea of being a rental player is not something that interests him.
Copyright The Canadian Press

[WhiteSpeed3]

he should go if they wanna win a cup or have a chance but he is a big money grab and thats wat the leafs are all about so he will be staying for the rest of his career

[S.F.W.]

let me first state, I am not a leaf fan. So, I say this without bias. They definately need to trade him. The sooner they do it the better. If somehow he gets hurt between now and the trade deadline, and they miss the playoffs and still have Sundin. They would have lost a major opportunity to turn around the franchise.

[WLS ZMZM]

just like the toronto media... to abandon all hope.... and expect the leafs to miss the playoffs... trading their franchise player is not the answer as much as I hate the buds and sundin... this is not the answer!!! they aren't that far out of the playoffs... what they need to do is start by firing the GM!!! as well there won't be much change in hogtown until people stop going to the games.... show the management that you won't support a losing team and changes will be made. what they should be trying to do is unloading Raycroft on LA or Tampa..... and try and get something decent in return.... toronto already lost raask.... (man is that going to be a big mistake in a few years)

[WLS ZMZM]

hahah hey ami... nice game in boston last night!!! GO HABS GO!!!

[dumpbear]

Ship him out now (for prospects and picks) and sign him back in the summer. Definitely the best option.

Toronto now is tied for the least wins in the NHL so all hope is pretty much lost for this season. If Fergie thinks they are still a cup contender he has got major, major issues...

[WLS ZMZM]

they aren't cup contenders but they could still make the playoffs... (mathematically speaking of course). Getting rid of the captain would shake up the team... but not necessarily in a good way... there is alot of other things they could part with which would give back a better return... I know itso nly his first real "season" here.. but ship Blake out.. he just doesnt mesh with the offence here....

[nicker]

get rid of that entire roster! LOL and rebuild from scratch that may be the easiest way. Oh and loose Fergeson too! HE SUCKS! Bring back Quinn!

[WLS ZMZM]

heheh I say sell the team... buy the predators and move them here.... lmao :chuckle

[cwp_sedan]

Sundin isn't the problem. He is one of the few players that are actually producing some decent numbers. The problem is locking up players who become useless after 1 season. To name just a few...RAYCROFT! (who was never any good), Blake (same as Raycroft), Tucker (who only seems to score on days that we lose), McCabe (who is not worth his money), etc...All of this money is locked up and could be spent on better defence or another ACTUAL scorer.

I like Maurice, but last nights game got me going. WHY, WHY, WHY, is he playing Raycroft!!! I mean 5-2 to L.A.!!!!! Raycroft blows and hopefully we can unload him before the trade deadline is up!

[dumpbear]

Every successful NHL team is moving - they are either on the way up (success after rebuilding) or on the way down (gutting themselves and rebuilding).

The Leafs have not been moving in any direction for 3 years now so clearly it is time for some kind of change.

Given how things are going lately, I wouldn't be surprised if we woke up to a story tomorrow of Fergie signing Raycroft to a 15 year, 100 million dollar contract.... LOL

[Wild Weasel]

I think they should trade him for HIS benefit. I like Sundin and hate to see him wasted playing for the Leafs.

I'm a Leafs fan, but right now I think they should fire everyone managing the team and get some people who know what they're doing. With the cap in place, they've got plenty of money now to spend on supporting staff, and should be making the best of it.

Send Sundin somewhere where he has a chance at a cup. He deserves it.

[cwp_sedan]

Send Sundin somewhere where he has a chance at a cup. He deserves it.

+1 if it actually gets the Leafs something.

[WLS ZMZM]

fergie is the problem here.... and getting rid of him is the answer... this guy has a real tendency to sign players to big deals for big money... after they perform for one year... which as we all can see is working oh so well.... Sadly even the teams that are desperate for goaltending wouldn't pay raycroft's contract... Most teams have invested in good young talent through the drafts to get some great players in the future. They have done this.. but seem to trade it for the more "experienced" players. The leafs are in trouble.. and its time to get rid of whats causing the trouble!!

[Wild Weasel]

It's not just JFJ though. It's the whole organization. From what I've read, he needs their permission to do anything he wants to do, and doesn't necessarily get it.

The whole thing needs to be changed to make it about hockey more than about business.

[nicker]

I don't think raycroft is the issue, I mean he not the best in the business. Lets face it when they don't have a defence there is only so many shots the guy can take. he did fairly well in Boston! The leafs as they are not SUCK SHIT! They need a rebuild from the ground up. THey really need to shake that place up. How ever will they? not sure they always sell out games maybe if people stop going to games they may actually open their eyes and make a big ****ing change. They need it. Shit I could probably run that team better then its run now.

[cwp_sedan]

The whole thing needs to be changed to make it about hockey more than about business.

That's it right there! That's all the Leafs are. If the MLSE would allow more control to a GM, that is actually good of course. They would do a lot better.


I don't think raycroft is the issue, I mean he not the best in the business. Lets face it when they don't have a defence there is only so many shots the guy can take. he did fairly well in Boston! The leafs as they are not SUCK SHIT! They need a rebuild from the ground up. THey really need to shake that place up. How ever will they? not sure they always sell out games maybe if people stop going to games they may actually open their eyes and make a big ****ing change. They need it. Shit I could probably run that team better then its run now.

Raycroft is a terrible goalie! Period. Blake also had a 40 goal season. Unfortunately 1 previous season can't determine the salary of a player for the Leafs because it is killing them.

[WLS ZMZM]

I understand that MLSE is realyl whats in control... but when you have a bone head manager either following them... or coming up with these great multi year deals... really its all of them to blame.. I think the leafs need new ownership... plain and simple.... as for people to stop supporting them it will never happen one of the guys at my office was discussing this with me... even if people kept going for the games but boycotted the concessions... no beer, no food.. each game they'd lose a ton of money... and eventually would have to do something about it.... i thought his idea was an interesting concept...

[Caz]

I think it is safe to say that the media made a huge issue out of the leafs defence and goaltending a few years back. Upper management (not just JFJ) made fixing it their objective and they signed who ever would play in Toronto (not everyone will) for more money then they were worth due to the fact that no good d-men were left in the free agent market (ie. Kabina and Gill).

They also waited to sign McCabe until he completed his career year and over paid because they didn't want to lose him, If they had of signed him before the year or during it they would have paid a lot less and the no-move clause could have been left out.

The current problem of the Leafs goes back to the Quinn era, he Bleed the minor system dry, giving away young talent for "past-their-prime" players in the last year of contracts (same as getting nothing). Now that JFJ is in "charge" and I use that term loosely as he has to ask the board if he can wipe his ass after a number 2. He is just making it worse and should be fired before the deadline before he does more damage.

As far as the Sundin issue goes, leave it up to him. If he wants a shot at a cup, he should ask, if he wants to stay he stays. He has earned that. I don't think the Leafs will get very much in return unless a team is going to throw away their future for a rental player (see current Leafs team).

They should have traded Nikki about a month ago when he was worth something, I say he is injured before the deadline and we are stuck with him again.

As far as Raycroft goes, thanks to the Fans and Media the team has given up on him.

Why aren't the fans booing Wozniewski everytime he is on the ice? He is horrible and leads the team in minor penalties and plays half as much as everyone else.

I could go on forever, but I see the silver lining in this and it could be Stamkos or Doughty and if it stays this bad for another year Tavares. Provided we don't trade these picks for more crap.

[cwp_sedan]

Why aren't the fans booing Wozniewski everytime he is on the ice? He is horrible and leads the team in minor penalties and plays half as much as everyone else.

Yeah forgot about him...He has done nothing for the team except fill a spot and take penalties. Why don't they bring up someone else to fill in.

[WLS ZMZM]

cuz there really isn't much talent left on the marlies.... like Caz said... whatever young talent we had plays elsewhere in the NHL.

[cwp_sedan]

cuz there really isn't much talent left on the marlies.... like Caz said... whatever young talent we had plays elsewhere in the NHL.

I'll take a pylon as long as it doesn't take so many penalties... :chuckle

[Broli]

get rid of that lazy bstd

[dumpbear]

aki berg = pylon

[cwp_sedan]

aki berg = pylon

:chuckle

good point

[WLS ZMZM]

hahahah.... its just sad cuz you'd figure after 41 years of no cup... fans would be a little upset lmao and if the team is going to be run the way they are currently.. Tdot won't see a cup for a loooooong time!

[OnkelHans]

I think it is safe to say that the media made a huge issue out of the leafs defence and goaltending a few years back. Upper management (not just JFJ) made fixing it their objective and they signed who ever would play in Toronto (not everyone will) for more money then they were worth due to the fact that no good d-men were left in the free agent market (ie. Kabina and Gill).

They also waited to sign McCabe until he completed his career year and over paid because they didn't want to lose him, If they had of signed him before the year or during it they would have paid a lot less and the no-move clause could have been left out.

The current problem of the Leafs goes back to the Quinn era, he Bleed the minor system dry, giving away young talent for "past-their-prime" players in the last year of contracts (same as getting nothing). Now that JFJ is in "charge" and I use that term loosely as he has to ask the board if he can wipe his ass after a number 2. He is just making it worse and should be fired before the deadline before he does more damage.

As far as the Sundin issue goes, leave it up to him. If he wants a shot at a cup, he should ask, if he wants to stay he stays. He has earned that. I don't think the Leafs will get very much in return unless a team is going to throw away their future for a rental player (see current Leafs team).

They should have traded Nikki about a month ago when he was worth something, I say he is injured before the deadline and we are stuck with him again.

As far as Raycroft goes, thanks to the Fans and Media the team has given up on him.

Why aren't the fans booing Wozniewski everytime he is on the ice? He is horrible and leads the team in minor penalties and plays half as much as everyone else.

I could go on forever, but I see the silver lining in this and it could be Stamkos or Doughty and if it stays this bad for another year Tavares. Provided we don't trade these picks for more crap.

1+

The real problem is that Tie Domi is gone.:chuckle

The teachers should simply sell to Alex Shnaider and be done with it. No more JFJ, no more Richard Peddie and no more Larry Tanenbaum - no more condos or property deals etc.
They took a step back from the Raptors and it's done them good!
But that was after big drops in attendence.
Unfortunately that won't happen with the Leafs - hell I've been lucky enough to go to two games this year and would never turn down tickets (yeah i'm part of the problem).
I hope the Leafs give Sundin whatever he wants - he deserves it after the years of doubt the fans have given him.

[Wild Weasel]

I'd never turn down free tickets... but I won't pay for any in a year like this.

[billyfo]

I don't watch any hockey game, but I think same as Arsenal (England football, eh soccer team if you don't know) traded Thierry Henry to Barcelona last year, almost every media said it was a lost for Arsenal. Actually Arsenal doing better than last 2 or 3 years when Henry still existing cause now young teammates no need to fall behind Henry's shadow, they have much improvement when he gone, so if Leaf really lets Sundin go, I think no teammates really miss him.:)

[b3GS]

Ferguson officially fired

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227906&hubname=

[cwp_sedan]

Ferguson officially fired

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227906&hubname=

Not yet...it is inevitable but they haven't "officially" said the words yet




EDIT: Now it's official