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Sundin remains vague on future

DAVID SHOALTS

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 1:50 PM EDT 31/07/08

Star centre tells his agents that he still has not decided if he wants to play one more season, reports David Shoalts ...Read the full article

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  1. Brad Pitt from LA, United States writes: Okays Mats, enough is enough - make your decision or we'll have to taser you into an answer
  2. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: This could drag on until Xmas.
  3. Clay O. from Vancouver, Canada writes: As a canuck fan this really frustrates me. I really hope we withdraw our offer and use the money else where while we still can.... yes i agree that sundin would fit in perfect with the canucks right now but it is such a longshot that he will come to vancouver anyway, and im sick and tired putting everything on hold for him. move on!
  4. S M from Canada writes: S**t or get off the pot already.
  5. J W from Canada writes: I don't really care when Sundin makes a decision, but I'm sick of seeing all these articles about how nothing has happened. BREAKING NEWS! SUNDIN STILL DOES NOTHING! lol
  6. Stuck @ work from Vancouver, Canada writes: Nice to be in his position where he has everyone at the palm of his hands. Canucks should pull out and start building around the Sedins. In any sense, it'll be a long season for the nucks.
  7. John Hinkley from Canada writes: While I have great respect for Sundin as a player and I fully understand why he may not like the way he's been treated by the Leafs, I definitely do not like the way he, and other senior players, do not make decisions that have significant impact on team's salary caps.

    In this case, if I were the Leaf's management, he would have received a formal letter saying that because he has not responded by a certain date his services were no longer required.

    On the compensation issue, the NHL should have rules in place that would protrect the Leafs, or any other team, if a player came out of retirement and signed with another team.
  8. Jeff Gulley from Toronto, Canada writes: Hey John...

    Completely agree with you, up until your last point. The Leafs have no protection over Sundin signing elsewhere, either before or after retirement. He's an unrestricted free agent, which means that the Leafs hold no restrictions over where he can sign and what compensation they can receive for him signing elsewhere (that's what restricted free agency is for).

    Love Sundin, but I feel bad for what this has done to the Canucks...I think they were really counting on him taking the money, and who wouldn't? It doesn't matter so much because they're moving in a different direction anyway. I think Sundin is wrong to drag this out so long, and I hope the other teams move forward without him.
  9. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: Wow - another article!

    Shoalts, you used up all your material yesterday.

    Actually, I feel sorry for Shoalts - I'm pretty sure he doesn't get the choice
    of which 'stories' to follow.
  10. puddin and pie from Canada writes: John Hinkley, so long as it's not like Favre and the Packers!
  11. Simon Dimuantes from Toronto, writes: yawn
  12. George E. Porgie from Canada writes: Wow....last day of July and we have untold numbers of hocket devotees hanging on every last word being written about Sundin.

    Guess he'll be ready when he's ready! Nuff said.......
  13. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: JP Barry announced today that Mats has decided to donate ten cc's of his vital essence to each of the teams that has courted him. The fluid is to be used, in connection with suitably fertile recipients that Mr. Sundin will select from the members of the Swedish Bikini Team, to breed exceptional young hockey specimens. Said Mats, 'Yes, I know it's a long time coming, but I'm worth it.'
  14. Sandy T. from Canada writes:

    The problem is as it was. This uproar(as was February's) isn't about Mats Sundin, it's about creating news out of nothing... anything for a few more column inches from ink-stained wretches facing deadlines.

    This isn't about Mats Sundin screwing over Vancouver - or anyone else. Vancouver offered the money to a man who previously had clearly said(out loud) it would take him some time to make up his mind. I see why Vancouver went ahead and made their offer, as did others, but I don't see why these teams(and especially their fans) should be getting so antsy over his as-yet lack of a decision. HIS position remains unchanged - as it has all along.

    As for teams moving on and not having room for him by the time he makes up his mind? Well... he could then just retire. He is already more than wealthy and might be leaning that way anyway. But I'll guarantee you, if he does want to play again, there will be no shortage of suitors making bids for his services. And when that time comes, it still won't be just about money for Mr. Sundin - anybody who believes that hasn't been paying attention over these last 16 years.

    As for Canuck fans, if it WAS just about money, Mats would already be in town. I could be wrong, but I don't think he's considering Vancouver under any circumstances.
  15. Ed Long from Canada writes: The Canucks throw a bucket of money at a 37 year old superstar who enjoys his summers at his home in Sweden and he doesn't jump. Gee, wonder why?

    1. He's made tons of money and as has been shown by other players of his age and financial success, money is not the motivation.

    2. No Stanley Cup ring and age 37. It's not going to happen in Vancouver during his proposed contract life.

    3. Scott Neidermeyer set the procedure for older players who do not want to endure another draining training camp, exhibition season, and meaningless first half of the schedule.

    4. Home is in Sweden and playing for a team with an horrendous travel schedule from the furthest NHL city from home is not appealing at his age and accomplishments.

    5. New ownership, new GM, some new coaches, great goalie, so-so players and a jersey with a big 'C' awaiting him. Guess who will be expected to carry the load, answer the press, guide the young guys and quarterback the team. Do you think Naslund got tired of it?

    As many professional athletes at this stage of life and career have repetitively shown in the era of free agency ... show me a potential championship team, an experienced organization and players intent on just winning a championship now, and some money with a nice lifestyle for me and my family.
  16. Saskatchewan Seal Hunter Club from Canada writes: Who cares........the guy is a loser...........
  17. Brian H from Mississauga, Canada writes: Sundin will play. For the Leafs.

    He and Fletcher have known all along and are forcing other teams to delay their decision making. The constant stories are a combination of their planning and the collective anticipation of hockey fans. I know I refresh two different webpages at least 10 times a day looking for the news and would rather see a 'Nothing Yet' article than nothing at all. If the articles bother you, move over to the lifestyle section.....
  18. Frangesco Bernard from Windsor, Canada writes: I think that if Sundin wants to have a hockey ring on his funger, he should move to Chicago with Scotty Bowman.
  19. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Hey sports fans and reporters! Do we really need (or deserve) a non-story a day about this Mats Sundein guy. Surely, somewhere there is something of substance going on!
  20. Paul Ingersoll from Indian River, Canada writes: Perhaps the media should take a month or two to decide if they want to publish his intent to play.
  21. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: puddin and pie from Canada writes: John Hinkley, so long as it's not like Favre and the Packers!

    Amen Brother--Anymore Favre and I'll puke!--Like who cares already?
  22. Gawd Knows from Canada writes:
    Boring, just like the NHL.
  23. Michael Sharp from Victorious, Canada writes:

    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
    Please don't come to Vancouver.
  24. Dickie Whithers from Coldwater, Canada writes:

    For what it's worth Eddie; I thought it was kind of funny.
  25. Steve Church from Canada writes: Sandy T, u got the handle on it. Mats made a couple of statements that he wasn't sure, and when he was he'd say so. Since then ever media-spider under every roof has spun gigantic webs out of it. If he'd said 'That's it' back in April, it'd probably be the same feeding frenzy with the headline reading - 'Will Mats Change His Mind This Time?'
  26. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Bjorn and Benny have re-written their massive ABBA hit just for Mats. It's currently burning up the airwaves in Sweden (to the tune of 'Dancing Queen'):

    Youre a teaser, you turn 'em on
    Leave them burning and then you're gone
    Looking out for another, anyone will do
    You're in the mood for a game
    But for you it's all the same...

    You are the Mats Sundin, big and mean, on the hockey scene
    Hockey queen, feel the heat from the fans who scream
    You can skate, you can score, having the time of your life
    See that Mats, watch that scene, diggin' the hockey queen
  27. Rene L from somewhere, Canada writes: Mats should just retire - if he still doesn't know if he wants to play next season after being away from the game for 3 1/2 months, then that's a pretty good sign. Really don't see how another 2 weeks pondering will all of a sudden make him want to play.
  28. James C from Shenzhen, China writes: 'Ed Long from Canada writes: The Canucks throw a bucket of money at a 37 year old superstar who enjoys his summers at his home in Sweden and he doesn't jump.'
    __________

    who do they think they are.... the leafs?
  29. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Dave the Rave - great post. It's obvious you have far too much time on your hands.

    The more frightening thought is that you know ABBA lyrics enough to make a parody of them. I have this view of some middle-aged guy dressed in 80's white pounding out diatribes on the keyboard while the cave is lit by a disco ball.

    Should you start with Culture Club - we will hunt you down and do what is necessary.
  30. John - from BC Interior, Canada writes: I wish Gillis wouldn't have dangled that $10 mil carrot in front of Sundin in the first place. I don't want this guy in Vancouver - never did. I'd much rather have two $5 mil players instead of this over-the-hill clown. They'd likely each have better seasons than Sundin as well.

    The only problem is, where would Gillis find these two players? He's likely still pinning his hopes on Sundin, with no other options available to him. I'm still looking forward to the first overall draft pick in 2009!!!
  31. Bill Smith from SK, Canada writes: I expect that he will sign with the Leafs and they will, once again miss the play offs by one point and once again the Leaf fans will act like they've won the cup.

    Pathic how they (G & M and Leaf fans) hang on his no answer.
  32. Jane Doe from Canada writes: Hey Bill, what's "pathic"? A word deriving from "empathy"?
  33. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Belle, of course you know Mats and Boy George are buds...cross dissolve to the Big Swede dancing alone in a Stockholm disco to 'Do You Really Want to Hurt Me' as a series of partners approach him, and are then rebuffed one by one..."I need time", the Big Swede says, his blue eyes moist and wistful. "I know they want me. But I'm not ready to decide"... Trader Cliff and JP Barry are at the bar matching shots of Aquavit...Cliff: "He looked so good in blue. But I'm over him." JP: "They all want his body. But I care about his soul."
  34. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: Bill Smith - Get a life loser, you have no absolutly idea what your talking about, from way over there in SK.

    All people in SK are illiterate
  35. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: Sundin is not the only player to have not decided on retiring. Joe Sakic still has not decided. I would love to see Sakic play for his home town for the end of his great career.
  36. Paul Bayer from Calgary, Canada writes: I'm thinking a wild card might be his health , hence retirement option.
    A lot of money being waved at him to play , but .... Playing on West side would be tough on travel and tough on body. I think if he was healthy and did not have a chronic problem he would have committed already to a team.
  37. Proud Canadian from Canada, Canada writes: Mats, there are 20 people in line to use the only toilet in the room. Now either (S) or get off the pot. And out the door.
  38. W R from Stratford, PE, Canada writes: For a player who is supposedly a class act, Mats' behaviour this summer is rather contradictory isn't it. He has kept at least three teams on the hook for the past two months as each has been trying to settle their rosters for the now fast approaching season. This doesn't seem like a class act to me. More like an overgrown selfish me-first child.
  39. Bob Fugger from Victoria, BC, Canada writes: JUST RETIRE ALL READY!! I HATE YOU MATS SUNDIN (and Brett Farve, too).
  40. Verona Raven from United States writes: He was vague on his commitment to winning. Nothing has changed.
  41. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: Round and round and round and round and round and round

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