A non-MSM Sundin Update

Courtesy of Raking Leafs intrepid New York Rangers correspondent.

Via HF Rangers Board

I don't have much to add apart from having an intelligent and in depth conversation about hockey with one of hockey's greats during drinks, dinner and taking in a game from a luxury box is pretty much a Make-A-Wish for any hockey junky. I know I'd screw it up and think of all my insightful remarks afterwards while stewing about the off the cuff jibberish I had let slip out of my mouth. But that's another story entirely.

Sundin is going to fit right in nicely in New York.

Sundin Signs...

When he's good and ready.

You know what? I'm going to get all speculative on your ass, and say Mats is pulling a Neidermayer. He isn't dangling the retirement word, but he doesn't have too. He's a UFA. And he's learned from the blowback Scotty felt last year that misdirecting the public so heinously is not without its perils. But he is planning on doing the same thing; take half the season off, sign with a contender, and make a push for that Stanley Cup that would complete his legacy.

He's going to take his time 'deciding' if he's coming back, probably until about January or February when his name will start floating around the ether, like Forsberg. Questions of fitness and his ailing hip will be posed and answered. The usual suspects of destinations will begin their courting or denying interest. Sundin will field a handful of serious offers before committing to a team he has connections to. Is that the Swede heavy Red Wings? Or maybe his buddy Naslund and the Canucks have a shot. Or maybe the...go read the archives from the weeks leading up to the '08 trade deadline for a complete list of possibilities.

In any event, Sundin ain't done. His mission is not complete. The circle is not closed. His destiny, unfulfilled. Mats wants a Cup, and that will be the main factor in his decision.

Maybe.

But I'm just speculating. Maybe he wants to play a full season at 85% and save some for the playoffs. Maybe he wants to risk injury and jeopardize his dwindling opportunities to hoist Lord Stanley. Maybe he wants to come back and provide leadership to a team intent on gutting itself.

Happy fishing, Mats. Just keep the Leafs in mind if they're in contention in February.

Hatstory

Eric Duhatschek writes a stellar piece about trade deadline deals, GMs, and Sundin and what the Leafs should do. Claiming Dominic Moore isn't the answer, btw.

JFJ has been quoted as ruling out a re-build, though the justification was never made clear. Of course, the fans not standing for it is hogwash, so I'm left to assume MLSE dismisses that option.

I hope Sundin will appreciate this opportunity to win a Cup somewhere else, and return the Leafs to mentor a rebuilding squad. Any team that trades for Sundin would have a legitimate shot at the Cup. A full supporting cast with stars already in place would receive the best cameo ever. Imagine Sundin on the second line, or first line wing. Or even third line. I guarantee he'd outscore the other team's third line, which can be the difference in a seven game series.

Mats, you should take this chance. You deserve it. I hope you come back, but I understand if you don't.

Hip Surgery for Sundin?

Not good, as the words 'Mogilny' and 'degenerative' are mentioned in the article. Of course, that is pure speculation at this point. UPDATE - Actually, this entire post was prompted by speculation and heresay, officially denied by the team and Mats' representation. Lesson learned. Hopefully the condition isn't that bad, Mats takes his time rehabbing and signs a discounted contract for a reduced role on the ice, Scott Gomez becomes a Leaf, and Sundin eventually regains his Conan-like form around March '08. Hopefully.

Carlo Colaiacovo also had surgery to repair a knee injury. Oh yeah, the heated issue of him re-signing is a non-story. Hype really bugs me at times.

Great Leap Forward?

I normally wouldn't just link to story about the state of the game, but Georgeums over at Kukla's wrote such a bullet-proof plea for constructive criticism to the League and to Chairman Mao that I had give it its own post.
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While I'm feeling inspired, which is becoming a rarefied sensation to this particular NHL fan, I wanted to point out a cool story about the connection between Alex Steen and JFJ, having shared post-dinner street hockey games in their youth.

Kyle Wellwood's groin is also making headlines, as he goes under the knife today to repair his sports hernia, "a relatively new diagnosis in the sports world, common to hockey and soccer players, and are essentially tears in the abdominal muscles caused by repetitive twisting and turning at high speed." It is funny, actually it is more sad than funny, how the team admits misdiagnosis with a press release the day of surgery and in the foreshadow of the All-Star...activities.

And I'm not sure why the media is calling for Sundin to break out of his slump, because I suspect the reason for his lack of production comes from his elbow not being fully healed. He hasn't shot the puck once since his return that convinced me his arm is 100%. Not once. Valiant effort, Mats, but you should've waited a couple more weeks.

And in case you missed it, Culture.ca put together a piece on hockey blogs for the six Canadian NHL teams. The most glaring omissions are BitterLeafFan, Leafclub, and budblog, who is sporting a new look.