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The lure of the Habs

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 7:33 PM EST 22/06/08

Montreal an attractive alternative for Leafs captain ...Read the full article

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  1. Shawn Goldwater from Montreal, Canada writes: Wow. As an old-time Habs fan who's largely lost interest in today's squad, having Sundin in the line up might actually draw me back.
  2. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: It would be best for all, espicially us Habs fans, if a deal could be worked out so that the Leafs do indeed get something for Mats if he is to play in Montreal. That way Mats won't be gone for nothing, the leafs can start to rebuild, and the Habs can win their 25th Stanley cup the year of the centennial.

    Vive Les Canandiens
  3. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: All sides in this negotiation have made the sentimental and emotional break. The Sundin era is over. This is now a business deal and I am hopeful that Fletcher will get the best deal he can. I for one am glad to see a new era starting. The Leafs spend too much time and energy remembering the old days. Let's all move on.
  4. D M from Canada writes: I would be happy to have him in Montreal for a year or two. He could really help at centre.
  5. Frank Godfrey from Canada writes: Sundin will give Montreal a serious shot at winning the Cup. A business deal sure enough. The end of an era ? - thank God for that ! What the Leafs get out of all this will be rather interesting.
  6. The Bull from Canada writes: if sundin goes, it would finally give guys like stajan and steen a chance to grab the spotlight, and launch their careers into the superstar realm.

    just kidding.

    cheering for the leafs is the sports equivalent of voting Liberal.
  7. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: The other benefit would be the fun we will have watching Don Cherry blather about the Euros with Koivu and Sundin on the same team.

    Actually, who would be the real leader on that team? Koivu would have the "C", Sundin will lead by example.
  8. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: The Bull from Canada writes: i

    cheering for the leafs is the sports equivalent of voting Liberal.

    ------------------------

    LOL ... you made me laugh... that was good.

    Cheers.

    I really don't see Sundin playing for anyone except the Leafs.... after all he said last year at the trade deadline.

    Maybe I am naive.... but I just don't see it. Can't imagine him showing up at the ACC in a different sweater. I don't think he can either.

    Should be an interesting month or so.

    Cheers
  9. Puk Natcha from Canada writes: Sundin might find it an attractive prospect to join a professional organization. I imagine one can get very tired of dealing with clowns, mountebanks, poltroons and their hangers-on
  10. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: If Sundin wants to win a Cup--which surely he does--while staying close to his home in Toronto, his best shot is with the Wings. Or the Canadiens. If he doesn't sign with either, retirement looks likely. But Mats doesn't look like he's ready to spend his days golfing...yet. Former Leaf icon Frank Mahovlich discovered what it was like to win a Cup with the Habs. Gainey is, no doubt, reminding Mats of that. It would be a lot of fun to see Sundin lining up with Tanguay and Kovalev. But don't count 'the Swede factor' out...Mats may end up in Hockeytown.
  11. Steve Hennessey from Whitby, Canada writes: Your Quote "The only thing Sundin couldn't do was win the Stanley Cup"
    For the record
    He also never won the Calder, The Hart, (was never in the final three in the voting for the Hart). He never won the Conn Smythe, he was never a First team all-star even though he played in hockey's premiere market.
    I don't think he ever won player of the month, he may have but I don't recall it.

    He was if anything, overatetd and he is far from great.

    His tenure with the Leafs would see them not make the playoffs or be punted in the first round in 8 of hios 13 years. Where they did make it the farthest in the post season during his time here was when he was injured that one playoff run in 2002, and most of the victories occurred without him.

    He has been remarkably consistent over the years, I will give him that, but so was Mike Gartner, and Pierre Turgeron.

    He may be more like a Rod Gilbert, in terms of impact, but surely he is no superstar.

    For sure Sundin will be in the Hall of Fame as the criteria to gain entrance seems to be more weighted on long careers rather than excitement generated and playing for team first and formost.

    Au Revoir Mats!!! and Good Ridance
  12. Rene L from somewhere, Canada writes: Steve Hennessey from Whitby, Canada writes: He was if anything, overatetd and he is far from great. Au Revoir Mats!!! and Good Ridance
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    And yet he is the Leafs all-time points leader... one of three things is possible;

    1) The Leafs are a really pathetic original six team

    or

    2) Mats has more class than a typical Leaf fan can appreciate (i.e Steve Hennessey from Whitby)

    3) All of the above
  13. Real Name from Toronto, Canada writes: If Sundin does go, I wish him all the best.

    He's my favourite Leaf, but hey, I think his era is over with the Leafs and we (and should) move on.

    Steve Hennessey from Whitby, Canada, sorry, I don't share the same sentiment.

  14. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Tanguay on left wing...Sundin at centre and Alex Kovalev on the right. Potent line, and a nice compliment for Captain Koivu's No. 1 line. GO HABS GO
  15. Ian m from United States writes: Of course Sundin would be Awesome in Montreal, and probably will sign there. But Captan K is the leader and while Sudin will have an A that is all until Koivu leaves.

    And please don't bring politics to a sports board, especially associating any party with the leafs - mean and stupid.
  16. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: .
  17. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Something strange here.

    Gainey can negotiate until June 30th WITH compensation, but on July 1st, if Gainey would sign him, ZERO compensation. Gainey will know this week if Sundin is interested or if he wants to go elsewhere. One day changes nothing.

    If Sundin wants to stay in Canada and have a chance at the Cup and play with a few real good players, he sign with Montreal.

    Detroit? Do they REALLY want him? They won the Cup without him-have accomplished stars and great kids that Sundin would take precious minutes from. Add to that, an $7-8 milion dollar hit, and I just don't get it.

    Maybe a gentleman's face save here. Perhaps Gainey gives a 2nd round choice and minor leaguer--Cliff can say he "received" something for Mats, and Mats can say he helped the team with compensation for the future.

    I don't believe Gainey will give up another 1st rounder as he traded this year's to Calgary for Tanguay. He has seen what can happen when you continuously trade away 1st rounders........................
    .
  18. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: With 10 days to go, why would Gainey give Toronto anything for Sundin if he can get him for zilcho July 2nd? Like paying for a good North American auto with hard earned money when you know the dealer and maker are going to be bankroot in a week. Same deal. Sundin would look good in Montreal, real good, that leaves the Leafs with 1 player and 22 sliver pickers.
  19. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: The logical reasons Gainey wants 'first dibs' on Sundin are as follows: (1) he gets to talk to Mats exclusively, before another team (presumably the Wings) makes their pitch, and avoid the post July 1 potential bidding war that drives the $ up; (2) if he does sign Mats he knows what his remaining budget is, and can focus on signing his UFAs like Streit; (3) assuming he signs Sundin pre-July 1, that also makes Montreal (as a potential front runner) attractive to other free agents.
  20. j wilson from Vancouver, Canada writes: Sundin eats a lot of minutes and remains durable. He would be Montreal's best centre immediately, and Kovalev might become a 100 pointer with a blue chip centre.

    Gainey can trade away a couple of players to get the skilled defensive bruiser he needs. (A Brad Stuart or Derek Morris would make a lot of difference on this team.)

    I would not be surprised if Gainey had to give up more than a second round pick, like packaging the pick with a journeyman.

    At the end of the day, Sundin might just wait to see who calls July 1. But from Gainey's POV, giving up something to get him now makes sense.
  21. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: To those of you who belong to Leaf Nation: I doubt Mats Sundin will be back in a Leaf uniform this year. You see, Fletch has given Montreal rights to speak with Sundin until July 1. That tells me that the Leafs have given up on signing him for whatever many reasons I could speculate. Time will tell.
  22. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Gainey will probably also have his eye on Brian Campbell. As for toughness up front, Rolston, Malone, Avery are all up for grabs. For scoring, Vrbata is a good choice; Huselius is dependable; and Hossa remains attractive if the price is right. Not a bad bunch of UFAs this year. And don't be surprised if Bob sneaks in and grabs Kolzig as a backup for the boys in goal. That kind of move would make Halak extremely good trade bait.
  23. Gordon Howe from HockeyTown, United States writes: Dave The Rave from Ottawa,....

    Dave you make some good points. I think Matts is a great player but I would not want him on the Wings. To me if he truly wanted to win a cup he would have left at the deadline. Even if he didn't win it would have shown to the Canadiens and Leaf fans(the rumor trade) that he wanted to win period. Him staying in Toronto and not wanting to be greedy(you can be greedy to win a cup) changed my mind on this guy. I just don't think he really wants to win a cup. His excuse that he wanted to win one with the Leafs just is phoney to me. They actually had a chance this past season or next season? I think winning the Gold was enough for him and if I were the Leafs I'd say Bye,Bye. If he's interested at all about winning he'll be with the Canadiens, the Leafs will get a draft pick and we go from there. You'll find out soon enough if he's in it for the money, or just retires. It's good to see Fletcher force his hand.
  24. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: I see a lot of people posting that Montreal can just wait and sign mats on July 1 and avoid compensation.

    Correct me if I am wrong, and I may be, but what I had heard reported was that until July 1st Montreal is the only team in the NHL that can negotiate with Sundin (that means the Leaf's can't until then either) and in return for this right the leafs will recieve compensation if Montreal signs him regardless of WHEN he is signed.

    So if on July 2nd Mats becomes a Hab....the buds still get the pick or whatever was negotiated.

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