OTTAWA (June 21) -- It came as quite a surprise Friday afternoon when word leaked out that the Maple Leafs had granted the Montreal Canadiens exclusive negotiating rights to Mats Sundin until noon on July 1st. Though the prospects seemed to deteriorate on a daily basis, Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher believed a window of opportunity existed to re-sign the long-time Toronto captain before the advent of free agency. When Fletcher came to realize that window had slammed shut, he made a call to the one team he knew Sundin was interested in playing for. The Habs.
This was not a choice the veteran manager wanted to make, for he understands that his legacy could well incorporate trading the Leafs' all-time leading scorer to the club's most storied rival. That probably wasn't among his objectives when he took over from John Ferguson last January. The Canadiens are not the Leafs' hottest rival anymore -- that distinction clearly belongs to Ottawa -- and young fans know about the Toronto-Montreal emnity through history books and old TV clips. But, any hockey follower in the province of Ontario past the age of 45 clearly appreciates the symbolic value of a Leafs' captain being dealt to the Red, White and Blue.
Not since Frank Mahovlich pulled on a Canadiens' jersey in 1971 has a Leafs' player of such prominence made the switch. And, it must be pointed out that Mahovlich had been traded by the Leafs to Detroit in March, 1968; it was the Red Wings that dealt the Big M to Montreal. But it was awfully strange, nonetheless, to see the former Toronto winger -- an integral part of four Stanley Cup titles -- wearing his familiar No. 27 with the Habs. The same will apply (minus the championships), almost 38 years later, if Sundin skates onto the ice at the Air Canada Centre dressed in a white No. 13 jersey, with the famed CH on the front.
But, the point is, Fletcher had no other option. Sundin wanted to stay in the Eastern Conference and play for a team in Canada. He understood -- wisely -- that his days were up in Toronto, leaving only Ottawa and Montreal as alternatives. In that sense, it was no contest. In some nebulous fashion, Sundin let it be known that he wouldn't re-sign with the Leafs before July 1st, and that he was only interested in talking to the Habs. Fletcher, realizing the only way he might recoup an asset for Sundin, agreed to barter the Swede's negotiating rights to Montreal for a pre-arranged (and undisclosed) return. So, the Habs effectively own Sundin until the free agenct swap-meet begins a week Tuesday. Fletcher cannot talk to his long-time captain in the interim. If Bob Gainey can entice Sundin into signing a deal with the Habs, the pre-arranged trade will be completed. If not, all 30 NHL teams will have a shot at Sundin.
But, there's another catch. Nobody is certain that Sundin will choose to play anywhere in the 2008-09 season. Big Mats is a very private man, and his agent, J.P. Barry, insisted at the draft Friday night that even he isn't sure his client will return to the NHL. Barry thinks Sundin will play again, simply because he performed so effectively for the Maple Leafs last season. But, he swears that Sundin hasn't tipped his hand. Which doesn't come as a big surprise. When Mats chooses to consult with a confidant, he looks in the mirror. And, right now, that reflection isn't yielding any information.
My gut-feeling is that Gainey will succeed in landing Sundin for the '08-09 campaign, and the Leafs' top point-getter will line up against his former club on six occasions. Which will add an entire cupboard full of spice to the Toronto-Montreal rivalry. Though I maintain that Sundin has met his obligation -- morally and contractually -- to the Leafs, I understand why the notion of him joining the Canadiens is distasteful to Toronto backers. The same would apply to Montreal fans if the situation were in reverse. But, I cannot fathom the number of appalling e-mails I've received that wish harm -- and even death -- on the long-time Leafs' captain. This is not a life-and-death circumstance, folks. Nothing to do with professional sport is ever a life-and-death circumstance. Any grounded person would understand that.
Is Sundin a hypocrite for pledging his allegiance to the Blue & White on so many occasions, only to potentially opt for the Canadiens? Perhaps... though any objective assessment would point to the following:
*Sundin, while handsomely compensated, gave his heart and soul to a generally inept Maple Leaf organization for almost a decade-and-a-half.
*Though it rubbed fans the wrong way, he had every right to exercise his no-movement clause at the trade deadline in February. He was thoroughly consistent with his pledge to remain in Toronto, even in the face much skepticism. And, he tried hard to explain his decision -- saying he did not wish to join a rival club in a "rental" capacity at age 37, a move he might have agreed to if he were ten years younger.
*Sundin never once stated he would not play elsewhere next season. He'll get big bucks from the Canadiens, and skate for a contending team in his final year or two.
To be honest, I was never entirely sold on Sundin's claim that he wanted to retire in a Maple Leafs' uniform. In a best-case scenario, that might have been true, but how can a three-season playoff drought fall into the category of a good scenario? As any follower of this corner would know, I felt it was time for Sundin to move on a year ago. The fact he re-signed with the Leafs, and took less money than he likely would have commanded on the open market, might have provided Toronto fans with a false sense of entitlement.
But, Mats Sundin doesn't belong to you -- or the Leafs -- anymore. History will prove how contentious a move this becomes, but time heals all wounds, and the big Swede will ultimately be remembered for his wondrous, yet unfulfilling, years wearing the blue and white.
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