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Mats Sundin appears to be taking his decision about playing next season down to the wire — the July 1 deadline for NHL contracts to expire.
Toronto Maple Leafs interim general manager Cliff Fletcher said yesterday there was nothing new to report on the wait for Sundin's decision.
Sundin, 37, must first decide if he wants to play hockey for another season and then where he wants to play.
Fletcher gave exclusive negotiating rights for Sundin until July 1 to the Montreal Canadiens for a conditional trade but so far he has politely resisted the wooing of Habs GM Bob Gainey, which included a pitch by telephone again yesterday. If Sundin, as expected, becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, there is still a chance he could come back to the Leafs.
Mats Sundin appears to be taking his decision about playing next season down to the wire – the July 1 deadline for NHL contracts to expire. (REUTERS/Hans Deryk)
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"I expect an update on the [Sundin] situation but probably not until Sunday," Fletcher said yesterday.
The Leafs did place goaltender Andrew Raycroft on unconditional waivers yesterday for the purpose of buying out his contract. But that was merely a formality because Raycroft cleared regular waivers on Tuesday and the Leafs made it known then he would not be back with the team this season.
As for reports Fletcher threatened to refuse to play defenceman Bryan McCabe this season unless he waives the no-movement clause in his contract and agrees to a trade, the Leafs boss said "that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
Fletcher would like to trade McCabe but both he and his agent say they will never agree to one. For his part, Fletcher says it is too expensive to buy out his contract, which is what McCabe wants so that he can make his own deal as a free agent and collect as much as $10-million (all currency U.S.) from the Leafs.
The stalemate will continue, although if it is not resolved by the start of the season, Fletcher said he does not plan to prevent McCabe from playing. To do so would violate the collective agreement.
"I've never threatened anybody in my life," Fletcher said. "That never accomplishes anything."
