TORONTO (June 24) -- Amid reports that he offered Mats Sundin's negotiating rights to the New York Rangers before awarding them to Montreal, Maple Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher vehemently stated today that no team other than the Canadiens was involved. "I gave Montreal exclusive rights... we didn't talk to anyone else," Fletcher insisted when we spoke on the phone. "I don't know where this other stuff comes from. When you give exclusive rights, it's to one team. I haven't talked to New York. The Rangers were never interested in the exclusive rights to Mats."
This scenario -- which will be at least partially solved a week from today -- is spawning all kinds of rumor and innuendo, mainly because Sundin isn't talking. Outside of Fletcher, Habs' GM Bob Gainey, and Sundin's agent J.P. Barry, no one in the hockey world has a clue where the veteran centre might wind up -- if anyplace. Though retirement seems to be an unlikely prospect, Sundin hasn't indicated whether he'll play again next season, nor has he apparently boosted the Canadiens' hopes of signing him before July 1. "I've talked with [Gainey] and J.P. several times, but I don't have much of an idea where this thing is headed," Fletcher said. "All I know is it will be clarified by this time next week."
Meanwhile, Cliff began his much-anticipated house-cleaning earlier today by placing forward Kyle Wellwood and goalie Andrew Raycroft on waivers. Wellwood becomes an unrestricted free agent if Fletcher does not tender him a qualifying offer by next Tuesday, and the GM has put up a trial-balloon, hoping to get some indication beforehand whether there is any interest around the league in the still-young centreman. "I haven't said I won't qualify him," Fletcher warned. "We're putting him on waivers first to see if there are any feelers as trade possibilitiies elsewhere. The waiver fee isn't much, but perhaps a team might want to make a deal with us rather than spending the money. We're exploring everything."
But, Fletcher doesn't sound as if he has plans for Wellwood, who's undergone three seperate proceedures in the past 17 months to correct a groin-muscle issue. In fact, the GM hasn't been sold on the 25-year-old centre since replacing John Ferguson in the third week of January. "This decision has nothing to do with Kyle's medical condition," said Fletcher. "It's just that we're looking at things a little differently right now, and we feel maybe he'd be better suited to go somewhere else."
Wellwood's points-per-game ratio in the 2006-07 season (42 in 48) seemed to indicate a bright future in Toronto. Ferguson and ex-coach Paul Maurice had him entrenched in the No. 2 centreman's role behind Sundin heading into training camp last fall, and spoke optimistically about a 70-point season. But, Wellwood began experiencing groin pain early in camp and underwent a second operation during the pre-season. The initial surgery -- eight months earlier -- had derailled his fine '06-07 campaign. A third proceedure took place more recently, and Wellwood then broke a bone in his foot playing indoor soccer. His work-ethic off the ice, and his unwillingness to involve himself physically on the ice, came into question, and Wellwood slumped to 21 points in 42 games. During stretches where he was cleared to play, Maurice frequently scratched him from the line-up.
Raycroft -- most agree -- would benefit from another change of scenery. Acquired from Boston at the 2006 NHL Draft for prospect Tukka Rask, the '04 Calder Trophy winner was immediately crowned the answer by the club to its goaltending puzzle after Ferguson bought out veteran Ed Belfour. And though he played well in stretches during the 2006-07 season -- winning 37 of his 72 appearances -- Raycroft never quite mastered the art of consistency. Ferguson knew the gig was up and he dealt a first-round pick to San Jose for Vesa Toskala at the '07 Draft. Raycroft backed up Toskala last season and made 19 appearances, but he hardly saw the ice after mid-November.
Buying out the final year of Raycroft's $2-million contract remains a prime option for Fletcher, providing, of course, the goalie isn't claimed before Wednesday at noon [for the $15,000 waiver fee]. "We have a No. 1 goaltender who is probably going to play 60 games next year," said Fletcher about Toskala. "So, if there's an opportunity for Andrew to be picked up by another team where's he'd play more, hopefully he'll get it." Passing through waivers, however, does not automatically consign Raycroft to a buyout. Fletcher and coach Ron Wilson could elect to keep him in the organization through training camp and into the early part of next season, just in case an emergency arises elsewhere for an experienced netminder. If he clears waivers, Raycroft would be eligible to play in the AHL, and his salary would not count against the cap figure. In the meantime, a replacement as back-up to Toskala will be on Fletcher's shopping list this summer.
The GM also confirmed he continues to field enquiries about defenceman Pavel Kubina, who can be dealt until mid-August, when his limited no-trade clause kicks back in. But, Fletcher is extremely mindful of Wilson's affinity for Kubina; the coach and the player would have been united in San Jose at the trade deadline had Kubina not exercised his contract restriction. "Teams are interested in Pavel," Fletcher admitted. "But, he's a good hockey player and any deal would have to make an awful lot of sense to us. Ron Wilson loves the guy. He was the motivation behind [Sharks' GM Doug Wilson] trying to make a deal for Pavel at the deadline. We'd have to get something pretty good for him."
As for the possibility of a deal or two before July 1, Fletcher said, "I have trade discussions going on with a couple of teams, but whether or not they are promising, it's hard to gauge. We were talking to some teams [at the Draft] in Ottawa, but nothing materialized there. We're following up those conversations and we'll have to see where they go."
Fletcher would not comment directly on what his plans are for veteran Darcy Tucker, but it seems almost certain that he'll buy out the remaining three years of the winger's contract. It likely won't happen, however, until the very end of the buyout window next Monday. Fletcher would prefer to entertain trade requests for Tucker, but the player's agent, Carlos Sosa, has insisted that a trade scenario will not be considered by his client, who has a no-movement clause.
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