I hate Mats Sundin, alright?
Like, I seriously loathe the guy.
Why? Because the guy plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs and pretty much summarizes what it means to be a Maple Leaf: I mean, the guy has had a pretty storied career, spent most of his career with the TML and has gone Cupless over the entire duration of his career while thinking every year his team could win it. What’s to like?
Nonetheless, word on the street is that John Ferguson Jr. and the Leafs brass are seriously considering moving the Swedish captain and arguably the best Maple Leaf in history. Today the Leafs are sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference but a mere five points out of a playoff spot. However, with a busy and tough schedule coming up, the Leafs may find themselves slipping further and further in the Eastern cellar and may be lobbied to trade Sundin in order to rebuild for next season.
Now if you’re Dave Nonis, and you really want to address the issue of acquiring a top-line centre, who else better than Mats Sundin? Like I said, I hate the guy, but there’s no questioning his skill. Sundin’s 74 points in 85 playoff games is valuable, as his ability for some clutch goals. He may also be the guy to really get Markus Naslund’s motor running in the playoffs and could very well be the key to the Canucks winning something serious this season. At $5.5M a year, Sundin is acquireable.
What would the Canucks need to package for the Bromma native? I’m thinking that any proposal requires the name of Alex Edler. Sorry Canuck fans, this is the price to pay (at least, most likely). Edler is proving to be a star in the making. Even after the Canucks offer Edler, I think it’ll take a high draft pick as well. There’s always going to be a team at the February 26th trade deadline willing to go crazy for a guy of Sundin’s calibre.
Look at last season’s trade deadline: Keith Tkachuk, the aging veteran, went for a first round pick. Tkachuk pales in comparison to Mats Sundin, and Sundin would be worth a decent prospect, easily. If the Canucks managed to offer Cory Schneider and a 1st, that MIGHT do it, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it; with JFJ’s time running out in TO, he may be hard-pressed to make a coup for his amiable captain.
…I honestly do shudder at the thought of Sundin wearing #13 in a Canuck uniform. But at the same time, I kind of hope it happens.
