Posts Tagged ‘Mats Sundin
The Reluctant Mercenary
So after months of rumor, speculation, misleading information and what can only be described as partially insanity, Mats Sundin has made his decision and the result defies all the statements he made previously. Mats had claimed all along that it wasn’t about money, that is was all about winning. Following years of being Toronto’s golden boy he didn’t want to be a part of a media circus either. So after refusing to waive his no-trade clause at the deadline last season claiming he didn’t want to be a rental player and that he needed to be there from the beginning for a Stanley Cup to matter, he waits until almost half of the season is over to sign with a team that doesn’t have a great shot at the cup that just happened to have offered him the most money from the beginning.
When Mats first became available Vancouver shocked the hockey world, somewhat, with their offer of $10 million per season for two years. Vancouver, a team who’s GM even stated that they aren’t ready to compete for the cup, was desperate for some offensive talent to kick start their partial rebuild and who better than a guy who has consistently put up around 80 points over his career of more than 15 seasons. Mats has always been known as a leader, a goal scorer and a steady influence on younger players but he’s only scored more than 85 points twice, with the last time coming more than a decade ago, and more than 40 goals 3 times. These are impressive numbers especially considering the consistency but $10 million would have made him the highest paid player in the league so is he more valuable than Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin all of whom make $9 million a season? I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for and to a team desperate for leadership and presence, perhaps it’s money well spent. Regardless, Vancouver had to wait months to get their answer and it seemed for awhile that they would find only disappointment.
The New York Rangers seemed to be the front runners, despite Mats’ claims regarding the media circus, but the Rangers had cap issues to contend with before they could get him on the roster. At some point it seemed like every team in the NHL was rumored to be interested, but the Rangers never left the top position in the rumors. Once Mats decided to return, he gave the Rangers the first shot and it almost seemed like a lock despite the Rangers struggles over their last 10 games. The Rangers desperately tried to clear the space necessary for Mats and it was rumored that they promised him a $5 million deal. To pay him that much a trade would have to be made but the Rangers seemed confident that they could get it done. However, if reports are accurate, that wasn’t enough for Mats and when it got dangerously close to the trade freeze and the Rangers trying to get more time, Mats walked away and signed with the Canucks. To me, it seems like he was reluctant to go to Vancouver. The Rangers certainly feel like his first choice but he didn’t want to accept that little of money and time ran out. After waiting all of this time, if he felt like the Rangers gave him the best shot at winning why wouldn’t he wait a little longer? I’d like to think that it wasn’t about money and that he saw a lot of the issues we’ve been seeing with the Blue shirts and realized that they didn’t actually give him the best chance to win. We’ll never get the answers to all of these questions, unfortunately, but it seems strange that a player who didn’t want to play in a media circus, who didn’t want to be a rental, who didn’t care about the money and only wanted to win would sit out half a season then take the biggest paycheck, $9 million for one season, to go to an area with intense media pressure to play for a team that should make the playoffs but would be a surprise contender for the cup. Had he really wanted all of those things why not go the San Jose Sharks or the Detroit Red Wings and sign for $2 million? Perhaps Mats knows something we don’t and when Luongo returns from injury, whenever that is, the Canucks will be dominant. As of now, it seems like Mats defied his own words and became the mercenary he didn’t want to be in the type of area he was trying to avoid.
Regardless, I like Sundin and I enjoy watching him play so I’m glad he’s back and I’m looking forward to seeing him in his new uniform in the new year. For Vancouver fans, it’s a huge win since it gives them more offensive depth than they’ve had in awhile and with the Canucks only 1 point behind the Flames for the Northwest division lead, maybe Sundin is all they need to take the division, get a solid seed for the playoffs and use the momentum to surprise everyone in the post season. Nothing would make me happier, or produce bigger headlines, than if Sundin came back this way and won the cup and Playoff MVP.
NHL Retirement Announcements – The Waiting Game
With the world waiting on a few players to decide if they are going to play or not in the upcoming year … I sit back and ponder, How in the HELL do you take so much time deciding if you are going to play the BEST game on earth. I find it odd that there are players still “thinking” about whether or not they want to play or retire. I have always thought, if you have to think about doing something – then there is something holding you back. If something is holding you back from making a decision, then there could be something holding you back from taking the shot, making the hit, connecting the pass, etc … you see where I am going with this. If you cannot wake up every morning and say to yourself “HEY – You play in the NHL … How incredible are YOU?” Then you need to seriously think about your career choice. Granted, I have never “played” in the NHL … I was employed by the San Jose Sharks for their 03/04 season, and I woke up every morning, looked at myself in the mirror and said “HEY – you are part of an NHL franchise!!! How incredible are you?” It was the BEST year of my life (until I met my wife of course!)
These thoughts cross my mind when I think about players like Mats Sundin, Joe Sakic, Teemu Selanne, Scott Niedermayer … players who are awesome at this sport, who have so much more to give us fans. I don’t know what on earth they could be thinking about … at the same time, why do the organizations allow them to string them along for so long? Look at the bind Teemu and Scott put the Anaheim Ducks in last year. Granted, Teemu and Scott were in separate boats (so to speak). The point remains … if you do something you love and you do it well … do you need that much time to decide if you are going to continue doing it? My personal feelings tell me that if there is hesitation in my answer when asked “Bill – will you please come back to the Sharks next year” (to which my answer would be an instant – YES!!!) I should pass on the offer and allow the team to move on.
I recently read a story on this topic where Steve Yzerman and Joe Nieuwendyk were interviewed by the Canadian Press regarding players that need time deciding if they want to play or not. I won’t say that my mind has been changed, but I now look at the issue from another viewpoint and can respect those players put in this decision. If you don’t remember, Steve and Joe were forced to retire, not by the league, but by the sport. They were both victims to injuries that gave them no other option but to hang up their skates and step aside. Steve Yzerman, who is now working in the front office for the Red Wings, had to announce his early departure from the ice in 2006 due to repeated knee injuries. He held a press conference in July to inform everyone that he had decided to end his career and even then, it took him more than 2 minutes of talking before he said the word “retirement.” Steve was pretty confident he was playing his last season, but after the Playoffs ended he still took two months to decide and tell the Red Wings. He told the press ”The only reason I retired was health, I loved playing the game and everything about it. If I could have remained healthy and trained and what not, I would’ve kept playing but I just physically couldn’t do it anymore. Once I had done it, I felt really good about it, I knew it was the right decision at that time.”
Joe Nieuwendyk joined the Toronto Maple Leafs management team earlier this summer after retiring in December 2006 because of a back injury.. He too knows the importance of being close to what you love. Joe told reporters ”My desire never wavered, I loved it right until the very end. I really don’t have any regrets – I played until I was 40, which is more than a lot of guys get to do.”
Steve’s advice to players deciding their future is simple – ”If there’s any doubt and guys aren’t sure, I think they should be playing. You can be retired for the rest of your life. You’ll know when you’re done. If you’re not 100 per cent certain that you don’t want to play anymore, then the decision is that you should be playing.” Joe added: ”People always told me: ‘Play as long as you can.’ I think these guys you’re talking about still have some good years left in them.”
I have read stories and have had conversations regarding Sundin, Sakic, Sellane and Neids … I, myself, have been holding the pitchfork and torch ready to mount a crusade against these indecisive fools! However, after reading this story from Steve Yzerman and Joe Nieuwendyk … my stance has softened a bit. I know some of my friends and fans around the world have grown impatient as they wait, frustration can be heard when certain “hockey purists” are asked their thoughts on these players. What I now understand, and what I have become enlightened to is that these guys are looking down the double barrel shotgun of 82 regular-season games! Heavens forbid they make it into the post season … that is a tough decision to make … and to make it permanent!
I have set down my torch and pitch fork … however, I still think that if there is hesitation – listen to it! Don’t try to convince yourself that it’s not telling you something important. At the same time … be cautious about how your actions (or non-actions) affect an entire organization. If Mats should return, I will welcome him into my home with open arms and a frosty beverage as he wages war on his opponents, that goes for Sakic too!