Sundin should waive his no-trade clause
I was reading a great piece last week from Dave Hodge I believe and it really spoke truth. Why isn't Mats Sundin waiving his no-trade clause? Does he not want to relocate for several months to join a contending team? Is he doing the "loyal - go down with the sinking ship" thingy? At 37 years of age, and with the Leafs looking to rebuild, Sundin may never see a Stanley Cup playing for the Leafs. If he doesn't jump to a contending team now, what does that say about his desire to win a Cup? Is it even there?
A second big point is: if Sundin really cares about the well-being of the Leafs franchise, then he should waive his no-trade, giving the Leafs a bunch of high prospects in return, stabilizing their future, and then he can re-sign with Toronto in the summer. Shouldn't this be the mentality of the Leafs' captain? Do you agree?
Cliff Fletcher had met with Sundin yesterday about the matter, but Sundin has not provided an answer yet. Apparently, Fletcher also did the same with Bryan McCabe.
Fletcher won't wait until the last minute to trade Mats, out of respect.
"Mats is such a big, important part of this team," Fletcher said "You don't think we're going to drop something on Mats at five-to-three on Tuesday afternoon? That's not the way I do business."With the Leafs being so far away from making a playoff spot, Mats may just waive his no-trade yet. Know where I think he's going/would fit in? Carolina. The Canes lost their captain Rod Brind'Amour to a season-ending injury, are leading their division, and could use Sundin's leadership and scoring at center. It wouldn't be that far of a move for Mats.
Sundin is still my fave player, and has been for years. I wouldn't mind seeing him at least get a decent shot at hoisting the Cup once in his career.
UPDATE
Check out the interview with Mats this morning (Saturday). He's saying all the right things. But in a sense he did tip his hat and question if it is HIS responsibility to waive his no-trade clause and make the team better for the future. He said that he is unsure if he's even going to play after this season, and that plays into his decision.
I still think he should waive the no trade, because it looks to me like he doesn't truly want to win a Cup when he says he doesn't want to go anywhere else.
T Tags: Mats+Sundin waive+no-trade+clause Leafs trade
5 Comments:
I'd love it if Mats went to a contender and picked up a cup, and returned to sign with the leafs in the off-season. That's the best case. However, with Mats, I feel there's no worst case. If the guy decides he just want to stay put, I have to say he has absolutely earned that right, and I don't begrudge him at all. He's a guy that has always played hard, been classy on and off the ice and basically been the ideal captain for the Leafs all these years.
Ok, the worst case would be him going to the habs or sens and winning a cup there (*ptui!*)..
Trade or stay, Mats is the man. Just watching the post-game interview with Friedman right now, and Mats sez basically he's damned if he does, damned if he don't.. Which is very true!
Yeah I just saw that interview as well. Sundin questioned earlier today basically "Is it MY problem that the Leafs can get great return if I get traded????" And in a sense he's right. He has the no-trade clause and can do whatever he wants. Yet still....why wouldn't he want to go to a contender????? He said today he doesn't care about living out of a suitcase for a few months if traded.
I think he's going to go the trade route myself.
And yes...he is the man no matter what he does.
I have a feeling he's playing coy in order to get the best possible return when signing his next contract.. Like "I didn't WANT to get traded, but i left for the team now if I re-sign with the leafs you guys owe me!" Which is totally fine, he's just covering his end.. There would be nothing served by him saying "hey yeah, what the hell, lemme goto a contender!"
I could see him moving but at the same time, it's no big if he doesnt. Now I would be much more annoyed if, say, mccabe refused to waive his no-trade.. I was excited by the rumours of him going to the rangers, though!
Yeah, me too! May McCabe disappear, PLEASE!!!
In Sundin's case, and I think Cherry said it best, Fletcher is playing the RESPECT SUNDIN card, but really wants him to waive the NTC. From a business standpoint it makes sense as the Leafs are dead.
So why would Sundin want to stick around when management wants him to go??? Because he can.
Cherry hit it on the head. This guy leaves for Sweded the day after the season, and returns the day before training camp. Loves Toronto? Ya....he loves playing for a city where no matter how bacly the team does, he is still a God. Also....at his age he has gotten used to missing the playoffs. Those 6-20 extra playoff games would mean maybe a year or 2 less he might be able to play. and thats what...10 million...and nice long summers in Sweden. Gimme a break....he earned it. Whatever. The leafs will not and cannot afford to resign him at his age and salary. So once that unrestricted thing kicks in he'll be gone in a second....either to a cup contender like Detroit...or to a swedish team...and his beloved team will get ZERO in return. Sundin just cost the Leafs another 2 years of dismal results because he was only thinking of himself. Every other player in his situation has waived their clause...why is he so special? He should be ashamed to wear that C. Anyone who is defending him is not looking at the big picture. That team made him a millionair, a hero and a star....the least he could do was do the classy thing. Hang your head in shame Mats. Or better yet.....get the team up to 9th in the east again....then go home....but this time....PLEASE STAY!!!
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