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Sundin still dithering
posted by Mike Boone at 13h30 EST on Sep 2
“I was hoping after summer started that I would have a decision during
the summer or during this fall at least. Where I’m at right now, I’m
not at the point where I can make a decision about that.”
Sundin scored 32 goals and 46 assists in 74 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season.
He’s scored 25 or more goals in 15 of his NHL seasons and has scored 555 goals and 766 assists in 1,305 career games.
He’s been courted throughout the summer by the Leafs, Vancouver
Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and to a lesser extent, the New York
Rangers.
The longtime Leafs captain, who is expectedin Toronto later this week
for a charity hockey game, said it’s unlikely he’ll make a decision
before training camps open later this month.
“The way it looks right now, probably not. My biggest thing is that I
want to make sure that mentally and physically I’m ready to play
another NHL season and go through the things you do as NHL player
playing at the elite level,” he said.
“Where I am right now mentally and physically I’m not ready to make
that decision.I wish I had a date or a timeline where I can tell
everybody what my intentions are and what I want to do. Myself, I don’t
know yet, so I can’t say anything about it.”
Sundin said he has continued to workout during the off-season, but
hasn’t trained as hard as he has in past summers and he hasn’t skated
this summer.
The Leafs have reportedly offered the 37-year-old $7 million US to play
another season, while the Canucks have a standing two-year, $20-million
offer on the table.
Sundin said destinations haven’t crossed his mind, instead focusing on whether if he feels ready to even play anywhere again.
“I haven’t even looked at different options or teams or where to play, that’s not even my first question,” he said.
“My first question is . . . do I want to play anymore? After that, it
would be where. I have to get past the personal decision if I’m going
to play or not.”
It’s anyone’s guess when that will be.
“It’s not like I’m playing any games or anything,” said. “I’m trying to follow my heart and do what’s going to be best.
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This is a quote of what Mats said when he refused to be traded from the Leafs:
I cannot leave my teammates and join another NHL Club at this time. I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey but for me, in order to appreciate it you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June. I hope everyone will understand and respect my decision.
Yes it's his decision, but either the guy believes you have to be there starting in October... or he doesn't. At this point, if he's not ready to commit and be in training camp in a couple weeks then he can either retire or wait until next year.
Not that it matters... he will not be going to a contender. He's afraid of being accountable for success, he'd rather either go out as the big guy of a mediocre team or to come back to a non-contender, and if they don't go all the way he has an out.
Who cares anymore?! Watch this old man comeback and go straight to the IR after the home opener ... Sundin's like a prostitute that won't shut up
Sundin is an idiot.....IMO he does not make or break our team.....the habs are very promising with a great mix of young & old talent....there are, or will be other players available that will be just as much benefit to the habs as Mats.......these players get paid the big bucks to play and perform in high pressure situations and make command decisions......Mats is showing that he is incapable of making a command decision, and continues to flip flop all over the place......
At this point he is driving his own price and options down. Teams have to make their move. He is painting himself into a corner. He will be stuck with whatever team has the cap space, or will make the biggest sacrifice to make cap space. That isn't a good option if he wants success. He will be stuck with the Nucks, or whomever is desperate enough to dump everything for him. OR he is going back on his word and wants to join a winning team. He said he wouldn't just become a rent a player to push for the cup, he would be there from training camp....LOOKS LIKE NO... If he doesn't know by now then what going on in his head. Please don't allow him to take that indecision into management....unless its with the LAFFS.
Summer's over. Sundin, it's decision time. Retire or try for a Cup with the Habs. Another "I'm not sure" at this point is plainly just ridiculous. However, he could be trying to drive his price up... what am I saying? Decide something, already!
No news by this weekend means Plan B should be well on its merry way. Too bad, but all this waiting around has done nothing but drive we Hab fans a little over the edge.
Gilbert
2008/09 is the season of the Habs
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Sundin is showing the same lack of respect for the game Niedermayer did in the past. Classy players that have retired in recent years (Yzerman, Messier, etc) must be saying to themselves "What is this crap? If I thought playing for partial seasons was an option, I could have put in a few more years". Really, this had better not become a trend that catches on in the NHL, or in any sport for that matter. Hiding in the weeds to see how the teams are looking than making a decision? Disingenuous and unsportsmanlike to say the least, and detrimental to the integrity of the game. Mats said it himself that players should play on their chosen team from the beginning! Why the flip-flop Mats?
Bottom line: We have a guy almost admitting the fact that he is not into it, and out of shape, and yet he still won't rule out accepting a multimillion dollar deal. Take the offer off the table Bob, we don't want this guy!
Didn't you read any of his interview? HE HAS NOT DECIDED WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL PLAY. How did he flip flop from that?? fHe's not being disrespectul or any of the rest of your accusations. Where do you get this stuff from??
Here's the rattle, keep it in the pram because you won't get it back next time.
If you truly believe that Sundin's hanging up his skates for good, well, that makes one of you. I sure hope you just like horses and that you don't bet on them. He is considering doing something he recently said he was against. The bandwagon jump doesn't look so bad anymore now that it suits his interests. This alone, as far as I am concerned, constitutes a total flip flop. I stand by my statement about disrespect. Sitting back for part of the season, avoiding the long haul, then jumping on the bandwagon if things look good enough, is simply bad for the game. Hockey is about dedication and heart. He said it himself, you are in it for the long haul, or you are not in it at all. If he is a man of his word, he will do exactly what almost every other player like him as done in the past: Pick a team or retire. This Selanne, Niedermayer nonsense sucks.
For God's sake, read what I already posted below.
He wasn't in the last few games of the season. He had an injury. Has it ever occured to you that maybe it still is an issue, it could be from week to week. If you listen to BG's audio he mentions that sometimes the indecision is due to an injury. When you're already sitting on a nice bank account, is it worth it? That's Mat's big question right now, nothing else. Give him a break, I don't think he's hung them up for good, he needs time and let's all move on.
edit reply
He insinuated last july that he wanted to make a serious decision. He wanted to make a commitment. If he couldn't do it, then he didn't want to play. He didn't want to disrespect his career and the sport by not being in it 100% and being ABLE to give it 100%. Well if your not training and waiting around for 2 months....GUESS WHAT. YOUR FLIP FLOPPING on wanting to make a serious decision. He hasn't made one... He's a joke. A punch line now. It's sad. He couldn't be a MAN and make a damn decision...I've lost alot of respect.
Exactly!
This is about being honest with the league and its fans. Deciding whether or not to retire is hard for any player. He just has to stopping wining and make the damned decision. Imagine if every good player pulled this crap. Or even worse, imagine if every good player did what Selanne and Niedermayer did. This is BS, and I'm sure a lot of NHL players are thinking the same. Be a man and face the music Mats!
He wasn't in the last few games of the season. He had an injury. Has it ever occured to you that maybe it still is an issue, it could be from week to week. If you listen to BG's audio he mentions that sometimes the indecision is due to an injury. When you're already sitting on a nice bank account, is it worth it? That's Mat's big question right now, nothing else. Give him a break, I don't think he's hung them up for good, he needs time and let's all move on.
Believe me, if he has an excuse like that, he'd use it!
My personal belief is that those bumling fools in Toronto broke his heart.
I think Sundin will wait until January to see what teams are for real, and then jump on the bandwagon. I will eat my words if I am wrong.
In this way, Sundin would not have to have his hopes up for a team (like Montreal) that is expected to do well, and then not make the playoffs. I don't think he feels another heart ache is worth the aggravation after sooooo many years of disapointment with the laffs. Hey who knows, maybe he will join Detroit for half a season, so they afford him!
So if the Habs are doing well...just wait and see what happens.
_______________________
"ITS NOT EASY BEING GREEN...FOR A SUPERSTAR"
If Sundin is questioning his desire and hunger for the game then I don't want him near the Habs organization. We don't need another floater on this team.
Teeing Off A 100th Season
http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=...
What an idiot!!! Sundin looks like a bigger moron than Favre. What is the big meatball going to do: anounce his return to the leafs riding a unicorn while angels play trumpets. Who bloodywell cares anymore what the big meatball does or doesn't do, I hope the Canadiens offer was off the table a month ago. I feel shame because I too was caught up in this crap and hoped the big meatball would land in Montreal but enough is enough.
Prediction: Habs over the Sharks in 6 without Mats Sundin
Honestly, at this point I think we have to move on from Sundin. He is a great center, but he hasn't trained that hard this off-season and he hasn't skated at all, by his own admission. If Sundin was 100% set on going forward, then by all means we should sign him but that is not the case. I don't want a player who is only going to be there 50% of the time...if he decides within this week, then fine, but otherwise we got to move on.
So what is plan B? I'd suggest 3 scenarios:
1) Trade for Mathieu Schneider: Giving us a great top 4 d-man who could improve our PP and replace the loss of Streit, plus generally strengthen our already good defensive corp.
2) Trade for Martin Havlat: While a big injury risk, when he's not he's an impact player. If rumors are true that Sergei might be moved to center, this trade would give us three very good scoring lines, and with him being a UFA next season the risk is minimized.
3) Re-sign Patrice Brisebois: Now, I was appalled with this signing last year, but he redeemed himself last season and did very well as the 7th d-man. He gives us depth, a known puck-moving defenseman that can step into the lineup if needed, plus also pushing OB, Cube, and Gorges to keep up a high level of play.
I think, after Sundin, these are our three best options, and maybe we'll do some combination of the three. I have been hoping for Sundin to sign all off-season, but with training camp so close its time to finalize our roster and get on with our lives.
Les Habitants - I see you put a lot of thought into your post but i don't see the first two happening. I listened to quiet a few of the Ducks games last year and Schneider did not make the impact that they were looking for especially at 5.7 million and he's 39 and is small in stature. The reports , though scarce , finally have Havalat at 100% and the Hawks are excited about that and see him as a big part of their new surge for a playoff berth so i don't see them parting with him. Brisbois seems to be in Gainey's plans and i thought he played decent last year but i think he will stunt OBey's development cuz of whose behind the bench (ex roommate) and their close relationship and for a 7th "D" you don't need someone who is brittle , slow , soft and prone to making mistakes and i'd rather have Carle there than him as his style is similar to Breezer's game without the experience or have Val or any of the other minor acquisitions for the time been.
Damn, I thought I had heard Schneider had been a good addition to the Ducks lineup, just they couldn't afford to keep him, especially if they want Selanne and perhaps another forward.
The only reason I mentioned Havlat, as I had heard that too, is the Hawks are over the cap and they do have to move someone, although I guess they could have Khabibulin is the logical choice (despite Tallon saying otherwise)
Maybe the rumors about Lang going are closer to the truth.
I still think Breezer would make a decent 7th D, even though I'm worried also that he might get more playing time then he should...I'd still rather have him there then a rookie as our 7th D, despite being slow he still has NHL experience and we know what we get with him
This sundin thing is getting riduclous. He has had all summer to ponder his future, he has had most of the spring also since his season ended back in april. So, we are at 5 months right now. If he still hasn't made up his mind about playing the desire is clearly not there. He either has a lack of desire to play anywhere else but in laff land or to play hockey at all. I wouldn't be surprised if he retires.
He is not going to say anything till after the Charity game that he has to play in Toronto this Friday.
think about it...why would he create a media circus about coming to Montreal when he has to play that game this friday in HOGTOWN...
relax, he will be here...didn't you listen to the President...
At least I'm glad to know that if he ends up here, it's because he really wants to be here -- not because of the money, and not because he had no other options. If he ends up a Hab, he'll be a ferocious Hab!
1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."
I really believe that the Toronto "situation" is still very touchy to him and thats why he will not say ANYTHING till after that Charity Game this Friday. In fact he may be waiting to see what kind of response he gets from the fans, signs saying 'please come back to the leafs' etc...
you know it hasn't been mentioned but this Friday's game is weighing BIG on his decision.
I wish Habs announced already that they are officially out of the hunt for Sundin. I don't get him... what is he waiting for somebody to convince him that he wants to play more hockey?
Anyway... after all this I don't want him on the Habs. Same feeling I had with S. Neidermyer or Selane. Maybe I am old fashioned but I don't not all that crap where players sit around and wait half the season for teams to come and beg them to return to play.
Did it used to be like that in the old days?
completely unrelated but I feel that anyone that has 5 minutes to spare should read this.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=845128
GAWD, who needs this crap.
Let him drag his unprepared, unexercised, unspringtraininged, unmotivated, newly-wedded-and-thoroughly-whipped ass to the big apple. Hopefully right around Christmastime, for maximal disruptive effect.
I've officially lost any last vestiges of interest. At this stage he would be nothing more than a distraction.
"unspringtraininged": Best Adjective of the Thread Award.
At the risk of sounding like my grandmother: what was wrong with "newly-wedded-and-throroughly-whipped"? ;)