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Mats Sundin could take “several weeks” before deciding whether he wants to play an 18th NHL season.
After taking 24 hours to digest the four formal offers presented to him on the opening day of the NHL free-agent frenzy, including an astounding two-year, $20-million (all currency U.S.) from the Vancouver Canucks, Sundin released a five-sentence statement through his agent that said he needs more time.
“After reviewing all the offers, he's still several weeks away from making a decision,” said Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, of CAA Sports.
While NHL fans coast-to-coast have become worn out waiting for Sundin to make up his mind, Barry agreed that playing hockey has never been about the riches for Sundin.
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- Calgary Flames
- Dallas Stars
- Detroit Red Wings
- Edmonton Oilers
- Montreal Canadiens
- New York Islanders
- New York Rangers
- Ottawa Senators
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- St. Louis Blues
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Vancouver Canucks
- Sean Avery
- Chris Chelios
- Shean Donovan
- Valtteri Filppula
- Curtis Glencross
- Marian Hossa
- Ryan Johnson
- Brooks Orpik
- Jarkko Ruutu
- Joe Sakic
- Curtis Sanford
- Mats Sundin
- Jim Vandermeer
- Doug Weight
He added the Toronto Maple Leafs mainstay understands that lucrative offers could be off the table by the time he decides.
“He's highly intelligent and he understands the risks of doing this,” Barry said. “It's not about the money for him. He has to feel he can play at the highest level, that's what he wants, and in order to do that he has to be completely ready to play in his mind.”
There also is a belief that Sundin simply can't see himself playing for another NHL team besides the Leafs. Sundin has said in the past that he admires a player such as former Quebec Nordiques teammate Joe Sakic for being able to play his career with one team.
Sundin, 37, began his career in Quebec, but has enjoyed the past 13 years in Toronto.
Does Sundin's dithering help or hinder the Leafs in persuading him to resume his career in Toronto?
“I don't know if it helps us or hurts us,” Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher said.
“But I do know we have to go along and build our roster for next year as do the other teams.
“Knowing Mats, this is not totally surprising. I'm sure he'll decide what's best for him in due course.”
There were nine teams that called Barry to express interest in Sundin on Tuesday, but only the Canucks, Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers made formal contract offers.
“I would like to thank all the teams who have expressed such sincere interest in my services,” Sundin wrote in his statement. “The numerous options provided to me were impressive and I have no doubt that each one presented a unique opportunity for me to finish my career in a terrific hockey environment.
“I spent a great deal of time [on Tuesday] reflecting upon the teams who stepped forward and the opportunities that each provided. Unfortunately, I am simply not close to being ready to make a decision about resuming my career at this time. I wish all the teams the very best and thank them for their interest.”
Marian Hossa certainly had a plenty of interest, and in a surprising move he shunned long-term offers from teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and his old team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, to sign a one-year, $7.45-million deal with the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
By adding Hossa, the Wings are just $4-million under the salary cap with key restricted free agent Valtteri Filppula to be signed. Detroit general manager Ken Holland was confident he could sign the Finnish product, as well as other loose ends such as defenceman Chris Chelios, whose new deal is expected to be announced tomorrow.
Missing out on Hossa allowed the Penguins to re-sign defenceman Brooks Orpik to a six-year, $22.5-million contract. Sean Avery jumped to the Dallas Stars for four years, $15.5-million and veteran Doug Weight wound up with the New York Islanders with a one-year, $1.75-million pact.
The Ottawa Senators landed hard-nosed forward Jarkko Ruutu (three years, $3.9-million) and re-signed forward Shean Donovan to a two-year deal. The Canucks inked backup goalie Curtis Sanford for one year and $650,000 and former St. Louis Blues forward Ryan Johnson for two years at $2.3-million. The Calgary Flames re-signed defenceman Jim Vandermeer and lured former Edmonton Oilers forward Curtis Glencross.
