Sundin

posted by Mike Boone at 16h56 EST on Jun 20


Cliff Fletcher has told TSN that the Leafs have given Bob Gainey permission to talk to Mats Sundin.

Martin Lemay, who's at the draft for CKAC, says he's heard the Canadiens have dealt their first-round pick.

Was it traded to Toronto merely for the privilege of talking to Sundin?

Doubtful.

Pierre McGuire told Mitch Melnick much depends on whether Sundin wants to play any more, or whether he's content to come off a really good season and retire as a Leaf.

McGuire says Bon Gainey spent most of the day with George Gillett, not with the scouting staff. So something is definitely up.

 

• Boone live-blogs the draft

 




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The Teacher's picture
PHX alkso just drafted Jared Staal. Looks like a very good 2 days for that organization.

The Cat's picture
Only things that I don't like about Sundin is Quebec/Colorado won when they got rid of him, and Toronto hasn't done squat with him there, though thats not entirely his fault (more a defence core that couldnt pull its weight), and can Kovalev coexist with another big wheel on the team? I have my doubts since it seems Kovalev -much like a diva-ish goaltender- needs to be 'The Man' to be at his best. On the plus side, he has gotten better with age and plays with a lot of heart, and I really believe his desire to win it all is earnest. He's better than any centre we have so I'm all for it.

Bill H's picture
Cat, I can't say you are wrong about Kovalev needing to be "The Man", but I wonder if that is an unfounded assumption. Kovalev is in his last year of his current contract...ample reason to apply himself and not to make waves. Players also mature and grow as they age. He has taken on a new leadership role on the team. He is a role model for younger players, especially those from Eastern Europe like the two Ks and Pleks. So I ask this question in all seriousness...where has Kovalev shown himself to be diva-ish and unable to play where he is not given sole place in the spotlight? I mean aside from vague rumours about things that we know nothing about as we aren't in the dressing room. And what makes you think that Kovalev is unable to play a positive role on the team in 2008-09 and beyond?

The Cat's picture
I don't think Tanguay is done, he had a bad year, and certain types of players/personalities have bad years under Mike Keenan (he either makes you stronger or flatout kills your will). The talent is still there with Tanguay in my opinion. My only concern is I thought he wanted nothing to do with Montreal, and if thats true will he have the makeup to handle the pressure if he's slumping...

The Cat's picture
Last year Phoenix almost made the playoffs and don't forget they were the youngest team in the NHL and in the toughest division of them all. They will make the playoffs now with Jokinen. Jokinen was/is the best kept secret in the NHL.

Chorske's picture
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080620.wspt-duah-col-20... Globe Article on Sundin. Hot off the presses. No new info, though.

Tanguay is *28 years old.* Habs finished 1st in the eastern conference. Cmon people. This is great! If we get Sundin, we are giving Pittsburgh a run for the cup next year. And: Philly lost Umberger. And: Jokkinen, a man who has never played in the playoffs, goes to Phoenix. Poor bastard.

ZepFan2's picture
"It's Friday so I'm hoping drugs are fueling your stupidity. Tanguay Is done!!" LMAO You should apply for the GM's job...in Moscow! If Gainey brought in Gretzky in his prime you would come up with some excuse why it was a stupid move. Go back to the losers board (leafnation.com) where you belong.

The Teacher's picture
YAWN

The Cat's picture
I could live with that Bill H. I just want some size up front. it just hurts cause I think we could've easily given something equivalent to what Phoenix gave Florida for Jokinen.

frank81's picture
Not necessarily. Maybe Florida would have upped the asking price if an Eastern Conference rival made an offer for Jokinen.

The Teacher's picture
And maybe Jokinen likes the Sun? Florida, Phoenix No playoffs and Sun..maybe he wants to golf every day?

The Cat's picture
Tanguay will be as good as his centre will be, but we didnt give up too much for him, dont know if he'll pan out, thought he wanted nothing to do with playing in Montreal.... Seeing Jokinen go to Phoenix hurts...

Bill H's picture
Well then, maybe BG is counting on bringing Sundin to play with Tanguay. Would that help you get over seeing Jokinen in Phoenix? Tanguay/Sundin/S. Kostitsyn Kostitsyn/Pleks/Kovy Higgins/Koivu/Latendresse Lapierre/Chipchura/Kostopoulos Does that work for you?

Agree. Not so sure about him. But I have seen Sundin, and I know what he can do, and yes I watched what he cannot bring. This guy is a Very Big centre, probably the best that I have seen playing other than Vincent>

Bill H's picture
Let's take a closer look at that Tanguay trade. So here's some stats: -----------GP----G----A----Pts----+/- 2005-06---71---29---49----78-----+8 2006-07---81---22---59----81-----+12 2007-08---78---18---40----58-----+11 Plays LW. 6'1" 189 lbs 28 y/o So far, not a playoff performer. Mostly he disappears in the playoffs. Can anyone comment on his style of play? Does he have the grit we are looking for? Or does he lack it and that is why he disappears at playoff time? His assists are consistently higher than his goals, indicating he is a playmaker more than a scorer, although with the exception of last year and 2001 with the Avalanche, he has been fairly consistent scoring about 25 goals a year. Someone said earlier he controls the puck well and is a strong skater. Nothing wrong with his +/-. Seems like an upgrade to me. Cap hit of $5.25 for '08-'09, then he is UFA. Right now, he is our highest paid forward, and 3rd behind Markov and Hamrlik. The playoff performance makes me nervous, but aside from that, he seems pretty solid. His UFA status next year when we have to sign UFAs Koivu, Kovalev and Komisarek as well as RFAs Higgins and Pleks...after we win the Cup, it will be hard to stay under the cap with all those guys wanting raises. ;-)

Bill H's picture
Its interesting and a little bit amusing to read all the comments from yesterday and earlier today on Boone's blog about what BG will or will not do. No Jokinen trade. Nobody saw the Tanguay trade coming. And for a late first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. Meanwhile BG has negotiated exclusive rights to talk with Sundin - Boone's Plan B. If he signs Sundin, that will probably cost a late round draft pick next year. So we've got Tanguay without costing us a talented roster player like Higgins or Pleks. And we've got the inside track on Sundin, again not costing us anything we can't part with easily. So Bob is doing well. Let's hope he lands Sundin. That will give us 3 great scoring lines, a definite upgrade from last year. With a little more maturity on defence, we can have a real shot at the Cup.

If our boys had played recently with Sundin (c'mon now, this is a major, monster player)we would easily have won the cup. My only issue is if we can all fit... if he can do or say. I am not so sure.

If BG can do Sundin (yes), already has Tanguay in the pocket, this will be so much expectation and so much positioning that nothing else less will work. It is with us and Bob. If BG does this, do we become the Dutch, and then who plays, who doesn't. If the boys get Sundin + this team without losing anything.............. actually I prefer winning, not losing. I'll take Sundin right now. 2009

Favorite move so far Umberger to Columbus i dont want to see that habs killer never again thank you flyers for trading away the man who ive had nightmares about since the LETDOWN. all the best to umberger, hopefully he'll give many fans more nightmares as long as its in the other conference

double post i feel like the krob

Hmmmm now wouldn't that be sweet - "Sundin wins Cup with the Habs."..........that would put "Leafs Nation"in a funk!!!!

It seemed unthinkable a month ago but now it could very well happen. GO HABS.

habs-13's picture
Since Jokinen has just been moved, besides Sundin who else is there we would even be able to call a true #1 center.

filincal's picture
Can the Habs afford Tanguay and Sundin?? I BLEED BLEU BLANC ET ROUGE!!!

Habs fan in SF's picture
Alex Tanguay is a good addition, in my opinion.

habs-13's picture
I cant believe all that Florida got for Jokinen was two defencemen who are average at best and a 2nd round pick. We were here talking about sending Higgins, O'Byrne Chi[chura and our 1st pick for him and the Coyotes pick him up for cheap.

Maffu's picture
Prices are much cheaper at the draft than at trade deadline. Teams are pressured to make the playoffs at the deadline whereas here everyone is relaxed and has no idea what the next season will bring.

we went from big Sundin to tiny tanguay nooooo!

doug's picture
says who? why not both? come on guys, tanguay is a better player than who we'd get for 25. . . and who knows what else we might move. i'm happy. . . what wrong with you guys? plus we didn't trade a roster player yet. . .

5.25 million dollars for 2 seasons for what I believe is an overrated player. reminds me of samsonov. we also have komi, higgins, pleks, koivu, and kovi hitting the market in a year and we need all the cash we can get. flames are the big winner here. they get camerelli for tanguay and trade down 10 spots in the first round but save 2 mil in cap for a better younger player.

Maffu's picture
You make a decent point, but how stacked is the farm team in Hamilton right now, they didn't win the Calder again this year but the talent is there. Tanguay will surely get more than 60 points next year whereas that 25th pick would do nothing for us in the centennial. Picks in the NHL after the first 15ish are gambles, Tanguay is not a gamble.

habs-13's picture
I agree, this was not the player I had in mind when I was hoping for a trade. He's not bad in terms of what we are getting but he IS overpaid. The only upside about this is that if we do end up getting a scoring center then we can truly have 3 scoring lines. Tanguay-Koivu-S.Kostitsyn A.Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev Higgins-???-Latendresse The wingers are pretty much set but depending on the quality of the center they can be moved around.

T-roy West's picture
I've said it once and I'll say it a million times. We lost in the playoffs because no one on the first two lines was willing to pay the price in front of the net. Higgins tried but wasn't successful. Detroit, Philly and Pittsburg are teams that were successful because of guys like Malone, Umberger, Franzen and Holmstrom. Unless we address this issue then we will not be successful in the playoffs. Let's get a player that can score and has grit.

king ddd's picture
we traded 25th pick for tanguay according to tsn

Habs_Rule's picture
Not a great trade! Sundin is much better than Tanguary! Dammit!

doug's picture
why not both? what's the deal? sundin's a UFA, guys

doug's picture
double post

Big Bird's picture
Good to see some of my regular season and playoffs friends here. Been a while. Tanguary for a 25th overall pick? He's a good player but didn't he say he didn't want to play in Montreal? If he wants to come here - great - but if he doesn't no thanks pal.

Chuck's picture
Setting up another deal, perhaps? . . . . __________________________________

Habs_Rule's picture
Just sign him! He is one of the best complete players in the league! We can afford to give up our first round draft pick for him because we have many great prospects in our system.

T-roy West's picture
Alex Tangay to Montreal for their #25.

RGM's picture
Tanguay for the 1st rd pick? According to Dreger. Good player, big salary, not a great playoff performer, though. ----- Go Habs Go!

RGM's picture
Can you imagine? http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/RGM81/Mats.jpg Looks weird eh? ----- Go Habs Go!

The Teacher's picture
Haha, yeah it does look weird, but I'm sure it will grow on us.

sanj91's picture
the lineup come September will be... A.K. - Plekanec - Kovalev Higgins - Sundin - S.K. Selanne - Koivu - Latendresse/Stewart/other net crasher (hopefully, but improbably Malone) Begin - Lapierre - Kostopoulos (lines don't necessarily have to be in that order) Markov - Komisarek Hamrlik - Valentenko/Carle/Emelin/other prospect OB - Gorges/Bouillon Price vet goalie

doug's picture
Nah- it's unlikely that you'll still be dreaming all the way until September, unless you're Rip van Winkle

The Teacher's picture
K relax. Selanne/Sundin AND Malone. More than over-exaggerating.

sanj91's picture
perhaps....actually most likely....but if these tanguay rumors have any truth to them then i mite not be that far off....

Chorske's picture
Don't forget Ovechkin. He IS best friends with Markov, isn't he?

sanj91's picture
true dat...in the words of kevin garnett....ANYTHINGS POSSSIBLLLEEE!!!

Pierre McGuire thinks Mats Sundin will retire.

G-Man's picture
Love all the speculation and rumor. Doesn't this make Draft Night a blast? It's great to see everyone up and posting, pedal to the metal. If Sundin comes, can yet another surprise be on the horizon? Gilbert

all this hype about sundin, jokinen, and marleau feels alot like the trade deadline. lets not put all are eggs in one basket until something has been actually done. Another letdown may be looming.

Definitely...trade deadlines, every July 1st, this seems like the same thing....another letdown.

doug's picture
A rumor is a rumour is a rumor... I think Hossa's (Marcel's) red white anf blue gloves are still rinkside at the Bell Centre. Lemay's speculation means nothing

The Teacher's picture
His speculation does mean nothing, but Fletcher's admission means something :)

Jay in PA's picture
Hey Mike, are you blogging the draft?

The Teacher's picture
he is, top of Gazette's front page said so.

Greg's picture
There's no way the habs traded their 1st round pick for the chance to talk to Mats. That's insane. We'll see what the draft pick is about soon enough... Seriously though I don't know how I feel about Sundin in Montreal... How would he fit in here? He's almost public enemy #1 for being the captain of The Great Blue Evil. On the other hand, he's a phenomenal hockey player, and a power forward is exactly what the habs need... although do we need another center? who plays with him? ideally you'd have him with Higgins and Sergei, or Ryder if he stays. But then what of Koivu? It boggles the mind. Bob definitely has the chutzpah to make it happen... Oh man! it'll be an interesting few weeks!

i still can't fathom the idea of sundin a hab just doesnt feel right but the last time we recieved a hall of fame leaf, we won 2 cups in three years. That was the big M so i guess if it happens we'll suck it up and hope hes the last piece to bring us to the promise land. go habs go

The Teacher's picture
Who cares, as long as we get him.

mjames's picture
If, and I doubt it very much, Gainey traded his 1st round for the rights to speak to Sundin, then I think it is time to have him released of his duties as he is suffering from some mental deficiency. Sundin is a shell of his former self and I can't believe Gainey would trade his first round unless he rec'd something in return. It is funny you do not see Detroit mentioned as a party to these bonehead moves. They just wait their turn, draft and win the Cup. I am attributing this to the press who have nothing better to do but speculate. mjames

Komi For Captain's picture
TSN is saying that the Leafs gave them permission to talk. NOT negotiating rights. They'll have to offer a trade (probably a prospect) if they want the right to negotiate and thus sign Sundin before July 1st. So if that 1st round pick is gone it's definitely for something else, that or Sundin is ready to sign an offer.

G-Man's picture
Could it be a 3rd or 4th rounder for permission? That makes more sense. And if it's speculation, it's draft night, lighten up and enjoy it. The Future is coming! Gilbert

The Teacher's picture
A shell of his former self? Come on MJames. sundin is exactly what the habs need at exactly the right time. He can handle the pressure He is clutch He is huge He is strong He is defensively responsible He can score He can pass He can hit

absolutely. He's what the habs have needed for 15 years, a big centre with a lot of skill. Not since Bobby Smith have they had anyone with that combination. And Sundin is way better than Bobby Smith ever was.

good to see you again teacher it's been a while I've been in hiding since the letdown(i'll leave it at that) but i'm back and ready for the drive for 25 in the year 2009

The Teacher's picture
Glad to see you're back. Looks like you came just in time to bring a smile to your face :)

nick's picture
Is it possible that first round draft pick goes to TO if Sundin signs? Yes i realize he'd have to sign in the next 60 or so minutes.

if thats the case, well worth it

The Teacher's picture
no, just in the next 2 hrs ;) Habs pick 25th

Chorske's picture
"The Leafs would have to trade Sundin's negotiating rights to the Canadiens to facilitate an early signing." That's from the article. I really don't see how an "early signing" helps anyone except FLetcher, in terms of getting his ducks in a row for tonight / next week. Sundin would certainly benefit from negociating from a UFA position. Montreal isn't in the habit of blindly giving away first round picks, even if it is a 25th overall.

sidhu's picture
Even if Sundin has agreed in principle to sign with the Habs, providing a 1st round pick for his rights to then execute the contract seems high in my view. A 1st round to Florida as part of a deal for Jokinen seems more reasonable in light of the fact that Jokinen is not a UFA come July 1st. (As an aside I wonder what the comment count is for all of the draft day speculation... it should meet, or even surpass, total comments for a game).

G-Man's picture
If the trade is made, the contract is signed. Gilbert

Sundin would be just what the Doctor ordered.

The Teacher's picture
STOP TEASING US DAMN IT a 1st for the rights is pretty steep to just talk.

frank81's picture
baseless rumour (started by me... ha!): First round pick traded traded to Toronto on the condition that Sundin actually signs?

Chorske's picture
No way Gainey would do that. The pick is to someone not Toronto- and it's gotta be a roster player. Is all this fuss taking your mind off your back? Talk about alternative therapy.

not just to talk adriano, the 'trade' will only occur IF the Habs sign him. Also, I douby it's the #1 pick involved.

The Teacher's picture
Even if we do sign him, a 1st is steep.

I agree with you on that my friend. ps glad you are back and doing well after your hospital stay.

The Teacher's picture
Thanks Earl :)