Mats Sundin has a hip injury, and surgery is one of the treatment options, but it is not required as long as he is in no discomfort.
And, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson emphasized on Tuesday, Sundin has no discomfort nor does he have any plans to have the surgery. This was echoed by Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, who also said, the Leafs captain is "disturbed and upset that confidential medical information has been leaked."
It was also emphasized by Ferguson and a source familiar with Sundin's condition that it is not the same as the degenerative hip condition that brought an end to former Leaf Alexander Mogilny's hockey career.
A report in the Toronto Sun claimed that Sundin "needs surgery almost immediately to repair a hip problem." The report also claimed Sundin's problem was similar to Mogilny's.
"Someone obviously leaked some confidential medical information and then it was sensationalized," Barry said. "This is very disturbing."
Mogilny developed a degenerative condition in the ball-and-socket joint in his hip from the wear and tear of his National Hockey League career. Surgery failed to correct the problem and he was forced to retire last season at the age of 37 after signing with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent.
However, while Sundin's problem was caused by the grind of an NHL season, it is a more conventional injury. Ferguson would not say exactly what the injury was but both he and a source in the medical community said surgery is only recommended if there is too much pain to play hockey.
"These days there is none, zero [discomfort]," Ferguson said. "We're talking about something that didn't cost him a single practice, let alone a game. This was something that shows up in a typical exit physical [exam] and is addressed in timely fashion.
"Mats has not been advised that he needs [surgery] and it certainly has not been scheduled. But it is premature to say he will not need it sometime."
The medical source said the surgery can be postponed indefinitely and could be done after Sundin, 36, retires from hockey if pain becomes an issue.
The injury occurred during the regular season but Sundin kept playing because he was not in pain and not in danger of suffering further damage. In fact, down the stretch, as the Leafs were fighting for a playoff spot, he regularly rode an exercise bike for 20 minutes after every game to keep his fitness levels up.
Barry, agreed with Ferguson, and also wondered if someone was trying to drive a wedge between Sundin and the Leafs organization.
"As any player does, Mats underwent a season-ending examination," Barry said. "It was discovered that there was a minor problem with his hip, and it was determined that there would be another look at his hip when Mats returns to Sweden.
"He was always going to have another physical because of the impending contract negotiations. But my understanding was, and still is, that Mats [hip] condition is minor in nature."
Sundin, who has been vacationing in the Caribbean and Paris, was expected to return home to Sweden on Tuesday. He plans to see a doctor on May 9 in Sweden.
Barry said contract talks with Ferguson are moving along but a conclusion is not close. It is expected Sundin will sign for two years in the neighbourhood of $5.75-million (all figures U.S.) per year.
"We're zeroing in on the parameters," Barry said. "We're at a stage now where I have to sit down and talk to Mats and inform him of what numbers have been exchanged, and see how he feels about it."
Like Barry, Ferguson thinks someone is trying to create dissension between him and the Leafs captain.
"Someone is using what would otherwise be fairly innocuous information and making it greater," Ferguson said.
