TORONTO (Feb. 15) -- The Maple Leafs are proving -- to their credit, I suppose -- that they are not interested in mailing in points, even though the 2007-08 NHL season is a complete washout. The Leafs have worked dilligently to fall into last place in the Eastern Conference, and have also proven they don't have to lay down in order to lose, as they are perfectly capable of dropping games when they try their damndest. All of this could lead to a very appealing conclusion at the trade deadline next week, as it pertains to captain Mats Sundin. Though I don't believe Sundin will feel pressured to waive his no-trade clause, there is a much-improved chance that he'll bow to reason if the Leafs continue on their current path.
It's my understanding that Anaheim is poised to present Cliff Fletcher with the type of "blow-your-socks-off" package that the veteran GM has intimated Sundin will be open to considering. San Jose, Calgary, Detroit, Vancouver, Minnesota and Ottawa are also said to be discussing big-time offers for the Leafs' captain. So, Fletcher -- with his years of trading experience -- could be in an enviable spot come Feb. 26, with half-a-dozen teams trying to out-maneuver one another for Sundin. That will jack up the price, and the Leafs could be left with a superb foundation on which to build. Fletcher's club, however, must be in a position that will allow Sundin to drop his no-trade clause, guilt-free. About the worst thing that can happen between now and a week Tuesday is the Leafs reeling off two or three meaningless victories, and getting back to within five or six points of a playoff spot. Though that's unlikely to occur, it would place Sundin in a quandary, as he will not want to be seen as bailing on his teammates. If, on the other hand, the Leafs are a "safe" nine or 10 points back, the big Swede will almost surely have to make a tough decision.
Not surprisingly, the Sundin issue appears to be having a polarizing effect. Some people believe the 37-year-old has earned the right to make his own call, irrespective of the Leafs' wishes. Others feel he'd be bailing on the club by refusing to waive his no-trade clause, given the package Fletcher could recoup. Middle-ground opinion is scarce. Whatever the case, the Maple Leafs' ability and/or willingness to move up in the Eastern Conference standings could well impact this decision. The club is just about perfectly situated right now, and the optics could improve even more by late Saturday.
If the Los Angeles Kings somehow beat Calgary (tonight) and Phoenix (tomorrow) -- and the Leafs lose in regulation time to Boston -- Toronto finally hits pavement. The storied Blue & White would be in last place in the overall NHL standings. And, Mats Sundin will have lots more to think about.
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Though I understand where he's coming from, I'm puzzled over John Ferguson's willingness to suggest the Leafs should be sellers at the trade deadline. Isn't that the equivalent of telling Fletcher to blow up the team HE put together? Though players such as Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Alex Steen, Matt Stajan and Nik Antropov were already in the organization when Ferguson arrived, he made sure they stuck around by handing out some long, lucrative and restrictive contracts. This isn't Pat Quinn's team anymore. It's Ferguson's baby. If I were John, I'm not sure I'd be making public such an endorsement.
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NHL GMs will convene for three days of meetings early next week in Naples, Fla. The significance of this gathering is heightened by the fact it is being held one week later than in previous years, and that only five full days will remain before the trade deadline once the meetings adjourn on Wednesday. As such, there will likely be a glut of hockey media roaming the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. I will be attending, as will reporters from Rogers Sportsnet and TSN here in Canada. The four newspapers that service the Toronto region (the Star, Sun, Globe & Mail, and National Post) will also have representatives. What I'm interested in seeing is the number of U.S.-based reporters that cover the event. I'd imagine Kevin Allen of USA Today will be there, but how will this important gathering be covered by media outlets in key American markets?
With Sundin possibly destined for California, will the Los Angeles Times; the Orange County Register, or any of the major dailies in the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area send reporters? Will the Detroit News be represented? How about ESPN, or any of the four major U.S. television networks? If it turns out to be anything like the coverage of the 2004-05 lockout, Canadian reporters will be practically on their own. Providing yet another example of why opportunities for teams to move back into Canada should be explored by NHL governors that are truly interested in the long-term welfare of the league.
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Millions of people watch Don Cherry in his Coach's Corner segment each Saturday on Hockey Night In Canada. Perhaps 2% of TV viewers have ever met the man. As a result, 98% of those tuning in wouldn't realize that Cherry's presentation is mostly schtick. A dog-and-pony act with Ron MacLean that both men understand is a magnet for hockey watchers. And an absolute ratings bonanza for the CBC. The part of Cherry that is lesser known and acknowledged is his warm, caring nature. He'll do almost anything for charity, or for an ill person that is brought to his attention.
Several years ago, the father of one of my friends was dying of cancer, and my buddy wondered if Cherry might have time to give the man a call. The dying person was a big fan of Coach's Corner and my pal suggested that hearing from Cherry would brighten his day. I phoned Don with the request and he told me to leave it with him. A few days later, I found out that not only did Cherry phone the man, but he arranged for a limo to pick him up and drive him to his Mississauga, Ont. restaurant. There, Don took the time to have lunch with the stricken man.
Cherry will probably curse me for telling this story, because he prefers to do his good deeds anonymously. But, I feel it's important for TV viewers to realize that the moments he spends commemorating Canadian soldiers that are lost in Afghanistan are the most genuine moments of his weekly program. No person in this country has done more for the morale of our servicemen, or has better represented the memory of those we have lost.
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