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Sundin Still True To His Word
by Paul on 02/23/08 at 12:52 PM ET
Comments (12)
from TSN,
Sundin spoke to the media at Saturday’s morning skate and admitted that interim GM Cliff Fletcher had asked him to waive his clause, allowing the club to pursue a trade.
‘’The Leafs gave me a chance to think about it and all that but as I said my position hasn’t changed since the start of the year.
‘’I have to do what feels right in my heart. I just don’t think I can go to another team if I don’t want to play for another team. That wouldn’t be right to myself. That’s how I feel right now.’’
added 1:35pm, More on this from Paul Hunter ant the Toronto Star.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Mats+Sundin,
Comments
I applaud his devotion to the Leafs and the city of Toronto.
Unfortunately, he’s going to be ripped for this big time in the press.
Posted by Lyle Richardson from Charlottetown, PEI, Canada on 02/23/08 at 01:07 PM ET
I just don’t think I can go to another team if I don’t want to play for another team. That wouldn’t be right to myself.
Mats have every right to refuse to leave (even tempoarily) “for the good of the team.” But he’d have come off a bit better if his statement above had ended: “That wouldn’t be right to myself or to the other team.”
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/23/08 at 01:40 PM ET
Very true, OTC. Cup or no Cup, there’s no guarantee that Sundin will play for the team who traded for him after the post-season.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 02/23/08 at 02:04 PM ET
The one thing that comes into play here is Sundin is not signed for next year.
The Leafs could play hardball with him right now, stating we wil not sign you unless you scratch our back right now.
If Mats wants to play again next season, and why wouldn’t he, he will be faced with a decision in the next 48 hours.
Fletcher has yet to play that card, but he could bring it into play in order to sway Mats to waive his NTC.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/23/08 at 02:07 PM ET
Seriously who wants him at this point? The worst deadline deal this year could be the one for Sundin, if he truly does not want to be moved, then he will not play to his full potential. Whoever gets him will have a shell of a Sundin, and no prospects. If I’m a gm this statement makes me pursue other options… I think the price of Hossa just skyrocketed.
Posted by Jdunc from Flint, MI on 02/23/08 at 02:14 PM ET
Funny how some in the media rip mercenary athletes to shreds until they want someone who believes in the team to leave and pursue a championship elsewhere “for the good of the team” (that wasn’t competent enough to assemble a team to challenge for a championship around the player of interest so he wouldn’t have to be forced out).
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/23/08 at 04:28 PM ET
As a non-Toronto fan (Toronto hater?) this makes me laugh out loud.
This dooms the Leafs to another year at least of being a lame duck team in the NHL.
Posted by Laker from Dapuddle on 02/23/08 at 04:35 PM ET
WOW Paul I just watched that video...I feel awful for that guy. Horrible.
Posted by Bethany on 02/23/08 at 05:28 PM ET
The blame lies squarely with JFJ Jr, he’s responsible for all of this. He was the guy who gave them all NTC’s which will handcuff the team for years. Sundin, Tucker etc are standing by their committment they made to their team, fans and area.
Posted by bababooey on 02/23/08 at 06:25 PM ET
Seriously who wants him at this point? The worst deadline deal this year could be the one for Sundin, if he truly does not want to be moved, then he will not play to his full potential.
Agreed, Jdunc. What GM would give up more than a third-round pick for a guy who doesn’t want to be there? JFJ couldn’t have handle this thing any worse than he has. His public pressure tactics have made Mats worthless as trade bait plus he has to have pissed Mats off to boot.
Now, who could we possibly get instead? Hmmm. Has anyone mentioned Prospal lately? 
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/23/08 at 07:08 PM ET
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