By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (June 29) — Maple Leafs’ general manager Cliff Fletcher has still not received any first-hand update on whether Mats Sundin will play in the NHL next season. Fletcher said on Friday that he hoped to know what Sundin’s intentions were by the end of the weekend, but that did not come to fruition.
“I heard from another member of the media that [Sundin’s] agent, J.P. Barry, had e-mailed someone in the French-Canadian media saying that it’s not which team he wants to play for that’s holding Mats up, it’s whether or not he wants to play [at all],” Fletcher told me in a brief phone conversation. “So, in that regard, nothing has changed. Now, I haven’t heard that, myself. No one has called me to say that’s the case.”
Asked why this apparently-simple circumstance has become so complicated, Fletcher said, “Maybe this is their strategy, I don’t know. It could be anything. I have no choice but to wait it out. I mean, we’re prepared to act either way at 12:01 p.m. on Tuesday. So, we’re not going to allow ourselves to be bridesmaids.”
As for his weekend deadline passing, Fletcher explained, “Well, Mats has all the rights. We don’t. The bottom line is, he’s an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday and he doesn’t have to do anything right now if he chooses not to. Starting tonight, our entire staff is here, and we have to talk about our next move. But, make no mistake, we’re prepared to go in any direction [with or without Sundin]. I’m sure we’ll find out as soon as he makes his mind up.”
The curiosity in this situation is why Fletcher chooses to be party to Sundin’s whims. We know the veteran GM has a great affinity for the player he brought to Toronto in 1994, but what possible danger is there in the Leafs moving forward without Sundin? Couldn’t the club spend the reported $7 million on younger players? “It’s a fair question,” Fletcher replied. “Of course, it can’t be spent on really young players, because unrestricted free agency starts at 27. But, it can be spent on players that are younger than Mats, yes. Which is a viable option for us.”
Through all of this, does Fletcher retain any gut-feeling? “I’ll be surprised if the reason for delaying is that Mats doesn’t know whether he wants to play again after having such a good season with us last year,” said the GM. “He told me he never enjoyed playing hockey as much as he did last season. So, we’ll see where it goes.”
This situation, of course, has the potential to change any minute, even though it appears that a) Sundin will test the open market on Tuesday, and b) he has no particular desire to stay with the Leafs, which he could have easily decided on by now. I still believe he’ll wind up playing for the Canadiens next season.
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Mats, please stay in sweeden and eat your meatballs…..or go sign somewhere else and leave the Leafs alone. And cliff, keep going, you re doing great. Get rid of McCabe, Steen, Antropov, Kaberle and that loudmouth punk Stajan…
- vinmanWhy do we afford athletes the kind of time to decide whether or not they are retiring that would not be acceptable in most other industries. When my day comes close, I know my employer will certainly expect more than a few months notice. It’s called common curtosy. (sp?) Especially if you have any kind of significant impact on the company. All other things asside, Matts has taken a lot of ALL our money over the years. Don’t at least we, the fans, even if not MLSE, deserve better?
- PaulMy 2 cents.
Let him go. Neither side owes each other anything.
- JimAs a die hard Leaf fan I have to admit that seeing Mats in a Habs jersey would be like ripping my heart out and shoving down my throat. As difficult as it would be at first, I beleive its something that has to happen. Life without Mats has got to start at some point, so why not now? Montreal would have its centenial year, the all star game and the leafs captain all next season. While im sure the people in Montreal are planning the parade already, wouldn’t it be great if the Leafs still managed to play spoilers next year and took the Sundin-led Habs down a notch or two? I say bring on the challenge.
- Matt Robertsmats has however long he wants to let anyone know. He is an UFA which means he does not work for anyone after tomorrow. Get over it people I think Mats has earned the right to take his time on this. Retirement is a big decision. Mats has been a great leaf and will go down as one of the all tiem greats in this city show him some respect.
- KDCliff, for crying out loud and the good of the team, move on without him and lose that Andropov also because that is exactly what he will do, drop off.
- Gary Osbornetime to move on mats ……..enough said.
- BRIANPeople forget that Sundin played for a lot less money last year than he could have gotten on the open market because he wanted to be a Leaf! Then at the trade deadline Cliff made him look selfish because he wouldn’t accept a trade to help the team. I would have told the Leafs to go screw themselves but not Mats he’s too classy for that. The true Leaf fans know what we are going to lose when he leaves.
- Tom GCudos, Sundin and the Muskoka crew should be gone, despite Sundin’s history, it is looking as if he is playing games with the leafs or the Union has pressured him to. Never the less, the time has come for his departure and a new future.
Long time Leaf Fan
- GregI don’t know why Fletcher is chasing Sundin. I say let him go. Don’t sign any free agents and let the rebuild continue with either Hedman or Tavarse. Last place here we come.
- pass_the_kegWill a team overpay for Sundin 20 million for 2 years,we will find out soon.
- diego