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Yawn. Sundin speaks
posted by Mike Boone at 19h23 EST on Sep 4
By Michael Traikos
Canwest NewsService
TORONTO: It could have been a scene straight out of a movie.
The star player, on the brink of retiring, instead returns to town to
announce he will play one more season. With the veteran leading the way, his team ends up winning its first championship in more than 40 years.
But Mats Sundin was still reading from his own unfinished script Thursday
when he returned to Toronto and appeared at a news conference in advance of his participation in Friday's charity game, the Right To Play Festival Cup, at Air Canada Centre.
The 37-year-old longtime captain of the Leafs simply repeated what he has been saying all summer.
Sundin, an unrestricted free agent, remains undecided about returning to the National Hockey League for an 18th season. He does not know when he will reach a decision, and he views an appearance at any team's training camp as a long shot.
"I thought for sure that I was going to come to a conclusion (by now)," Sundin said. "But where I'm at now, we're not there. You're just going to have to wait, or I'm going to have to wait for that decision. There's nothing more I can say."
It did not matter that Sundin failed to say anything that was remotely
revelatory yesterday at the Royal York Hotel. The mere presence of the
six-foot-five Swede, even with the Toronto International Film Festival in
town, was more than enough to attract a crowd.
Wearing a pair of faded blue jeans, a white golf shirt and a cream-coloured cardigan, Sundin seemed more like than an A-list actor than a hockey player.
Cameramen documented his every move. And a crush of sports, news and entertainment reporters recorded his every word.
What they saw and heard was a man who remains torn between hanging up the skates and lacing them up for another hard-fought 82-game season.
"I think you need to have that drive," said Sundin, who has spent the summer relaxing away from the rink. "You need to feel that you want to come down and enjoy practice and be with the guys and travel, because it¹s a lifestyle that's very intense. It's all hockey. Once training camp starts, you do nothing but eat and sleep hockey and play every day. You have to make sure you're committed to that.
"But the way it feels right now, I'm not there."
Last season, his 17th in the National Hockey League, Sundin remained at the top of his game, leading the Leafs in goals (32), assists (46) and points (78).
But when his team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight
season, Sundin's individual accomplishments lost their lustre.
"I felt great about playing hockey last year," he said. "But all that
disappears when you're not having a winning season or competing in the
playoffs, because that's all that really matters."
Sundin added that his former team's decision to rebuild has not affected his decision.
The Leafs are one of several teams that are interested in signing him.
Toronto has offered a reported one-year deal worth $7 million US, while the Vancouver Canucks are believed to have tendered a two-year, $20-million contract. The Canadiens, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers are also believed to be holding a roster spot for Sundin.
"I've been very humbled by a lot of the offers and to hear from different
teams. I'm very flattered by that," Sundin said. "But my first question is if
I'm going to play or not. I haven't even thought about other teams."
What Sundin has begun to think about is his accomplishments.
He is ranked 22nd all-time in the NHL with 555 goals and is 30th with 1,321 points. He is also the Leafs' franchise leader in goals (420) and points (984). But there remains one hole in his resume.
"Obviously, the big dream would have been winning a Stanley Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs," Sundin said. "I've had 13 chances to do that and we haven't done it yet. There¹s no doubt that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to win a Stanley Cup. The question is when?
"Other than that, I¹m proud of the career that I¹ve had so far."
National Post
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Years ago, one of Concordia's student newspapers ran a front-page above-the-fold story with an ill-considered headline that read: "No News." The article was about how some university committee was still undecided about some issue or other that everyone pretended to care a lot about, but the point is that, understandably, no one picked up the paper.
So why do our media keep bombarding us with stories about how nothing has changed since lunchtime? I can't believe that this stuff is still selling papers.
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..."
Sources tell TSN Mats Sundin and his representatives JP Barry and Claes Elefalk met with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher Friday morning. Joe Nieuwendyk, recently hired as Fletcher's assistant was also involved in the discussions.
Sources say Fletcher outlined his plan for the team this season and assured Sundin that Toronto will keep the door open for the 37-year-old captain in the event he decides to resume his career.
Sources say Sundin is also expected to meet, or speak with the Montreal Canadiens before returning to Europe on Monday.
Sundin, who is in Toronto for the inaugural Festival Cup charity hockey game at Air Canada Centre, continues to mull over his future plans as NHL training camp approaches.
"Whatever happens to me, whether I'm not going to play tomorrow or whatever, I know Toronto's always the team in my heart," Sundin said Thursday. "When I retire, whenever that happens, that's not going to change."
As many as six teams have expressed interest in Sundin's services, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers.
The unrestricted free agent said he was flattered by the suitors over the summer, and added that he cherished the time he spent in Toronto. The Leafs' most recent captain explained that no matter what happens, he'll always remain in close ties with the city.
"This is the best hockey town to play in, in the world," Sundin added. "Right now, the Toronto Maple Leafs don't have the best hockey team in the world. The fans in Toronto certainly deserve to have a team that competes for the Stanley Cup every year."
Last season, Sundin enjoyed one of his best seasons, finishing with 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in 74 games and leading Toronto in scoring for the fourth straight year.
I don't understand all the negative comments about Sundin. Just because WE and the rest of Hockey would like to know what he's doing doesn't make him a jerk, nor does it make us right.
The man has been loyal, consistent and for the most part has kept his word. Changing your mind doesn't make you an ass. Sometimes things don't go the way we thought and so we change our minds, we all do it. It's called being human, we have the right to change our minds when things don't go as planned.
So why is he suddenly a jerk? Yes i would love to know that he wants to win a cup playing for the Habs but that's my desire not necessarily his if and until he says so.
He earned the right to be where he is and never complained or asked for anything more. It's our incessant scrutiny that is the problem, if we all just gave it up and let him be it wouldn't be long before this sorts itself out either way. So why not let the man do what he has the right to do which is decide the direction of his career.
He is a classy guy and would be a great addition to the team. Should the Habs take a different direction and not wait for him...i'm not sure, but bottom line is we would be better with him on our team and so i hope it happens. The powers that be are far more hockey Savvy than any of us and i trust they will make the best decision for the club. Let's not judge the man, we have the right to say what we want but really who cares because it's not our life and it's not OUR CALL!!!
I'm really looking forward to the season and hopefully we can see Sundin in a Habs uniform at some point. When he makes the decision, if he makes the decision you know that he will be ready to go and have the fire reignited. I can only hope that it works out the way i would like it to but that is Sundin's decision and his alone. Whatever he chooses i will respect that as he has been a great ambassador of the game and as far as i'm concerned he has earned and deserves my respect.
Go Habs Go!
Is Sundin holding a press conference today after the charity game? If he is I think that is the time when he will announce something.
don't think so..has not been reported by local media for what that is worth.
please move on BOB G...he is LAFF, listen to him talk.
I felt great about playing hockey last year," he said. "But all that
disappears when you're not having a winning season or competing in the
playoffs, because that's all that really matters."
Translation means; "I want to play in Toronto but tired of losing."
"I think you need to have that drive," said Sundin, who has spent the summer relaxing away from the rink. "You need to feel that you want to come down and enjoy practice and be with the guys and travel, because it¹s a lifestyle that's very intense. It's all hockey. Once training camp starts, you do nothing but eat and sleep hockey and play every day. You have to make sure you're committed to that.
Translation means; "If I want to win ,have to go elsewhere and play with a new team.I don't make friends easy."
"I thought for sure that I was going to come to a conclusion (by now)," Sundin said. "But where I'm at now, we're not there. You're just going to have to wait, or I'm going to have to wait for that decision. There's nothing more I can say."
Translation means;"I have a real hard time making up my mind.Mommy?Daddy?Anybody?Help me!"
Disgraced Former Agent Frost 'Not Welcome Here' .. by Steve Simmons .. toronto sun ..... http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Columnists/Simmons_Steve/2008/09/04/666... .................................................................... Wild Lose Brent Burns for at Least 4 Weeks After Elbow Surgery .. Russo Rants ..... http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog/
Sundin Saga : Undecided Sundin Appears More Like Retiree .. by Kevin McGram .. toronto star ..... http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/491158 ................................ Sundin Won't be Rushed .. by David Shoalts .. Globe and Mail ..... http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080904.wsptsundin04/GSS... .................................................. Gilmour's Been There , Felt That .. by Mike Zeisberger .. toronto sun ..... http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/2008/09/05/6666921-sun.html .............................................. Vancouver Canuck's GM Gillis will play wait and see .. by Jim Jamieson .. The Vancouver Province ..... http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=beb73199-04a...
You will have to try again in a few if he doesn't catch on.Too funny.
"It's all hockey. Once training camp starts, you do nothing but eat and sleep hockey and play every day. You have to make sure you're committed to that.But the way it feels right now, I'm not there." Okay, then. No Cup for you!
There, that's enough Mats Sundin talk. On to Plan B.
Gilbert
2008/09 is the season of the Habs
Koivu not up to Par for Fans and some Reporters - This article will be read by future UFAs in newspapers and blogs around the world as Quebec's way of rolling out the red carpet .. by Dave Stubbs .. Gazette ..... http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=fa4472a9...
don't want him. lets go to plan b already! it's an honour to wear the CH and in all honsesty, if he's not jumping at the opportunity to sport the bleu, blanc, et rouge, then f him. and in all seriousness, i'm not faulting the guy for taking control of his life and being honest and straight forward, i'm just saying we are the MONTREAL CANADIENS and we shouldn't have to lure anyone to come play here. sure we had some rough years, but we are making a comeback and if you're not on par with the plan, then screw you.
Well said.
I find it strange that no one has mentioned to Mats that if he wants to figure out if he wants to play or retire, then perhaps he should pull on some skates and start training as if he were getting ready for training camp. A few good sessions of suicides would go a long way towards helping him make his mind up one way or another.
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Good point Chuck.
Go Habs Go
"There's no doubt that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to win a Stanley Cup. The question is when?"
In addition to being out of shape physically, he's quite clearly gone delusional as well. Nope, don't want him.
i felt the same after reading that exact line! im with you, don't want him. :)
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an expert is someone who learns more and more about less and less,
and eventually knows everything about nothing.
Plus, he referred to the Laffs as "we". I'll bet that he dithers on his decision until the perception is that there's no place to go BUT back to the laffs. That way he gets to save face and look like a returning hero to the great unwashed in the ACC.
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totally 100% agree. this is has been the plan for quite some time.good ridance.being on the LAFFS all those years has affected how he thinks. I don't believe for one second he wants to go to a team that has a chance to win the CUP.
Well, he said when, it could be in 1000 years. They have a shot. A long one, but a shot nevertheless.
"Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"
True, but a probability (however small) isn't a certainty. And this seemed like reckless jingoism from him, given his otherwise dour and plodding demeanor.
The leafs should just throw him a front-office job and be done with it. Let him scout the Scandinavian countries for a few years and then bring him over to be the GM when the guy after Fletcher dies in a bizarre gardening accident.
Too risky...first of all it'll take him two years to decide if he wants to work in management. Then it'll interfere with his poker schedule.
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com
"I think you need to have that drive,"
and he doesn't have it right now.
I saw a clip of the interview on CityTV (Toronto)...He's at least 15 lbs overweight..
I grow weary with the Sundin situation.
Yawn is right. Could this be any more of a tempest in a teapot?
Let's move on.
I'm also back after a short-lived but soon resumed hiatus . . . 2 weeks til' I'll be writing you from Kandahar Airfield.
In any case, time to forget about poor Mats. Like most of us, I was impressed with Gainey's gumption in "trading" for Sundin's rights at the deadline. It took courage and skill.
And it failed.
Mats Sundin has given little to no indication that he will be a Canadien in 2009. Time to move on.
Let's not have every 2nd article on HIO reference his unlikely donning of the CF. Let's look to our young talent. We have more than any other team in the league.
Gainey's success lies in the Price, not the Sundin.
Infanteer;Kick Ass ,Be Safe and don't be afraid to eat the dirt.- An Old Patricia
Keep safe. Canada needs people just like you.
Gilbert
2008/09 is the season of the Habs
"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
George Orwell
My sincere thanks for the sacrifice that you ,and good Canadians like yourself, make for the betterment of the people of Afghanistan. I beleive in the reconnstruction effort, and the good in the Afghani people. Keep yourself safe.
Go Habs Go