Excerpt from Sportsnet.ca:
The New York Rangers were granted permission by Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher to talk to free-agent-to-be Mats Sundin before the Montreal Canadiens were last week, Sportsnet has learned.
Sources say Fletcher granted the New York Rangers permission to talk to Sundin even before the Canadians got it in an attempt to trade the Maple Leafs captain for an asset prior to him becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1.
The Detroit Red Wings would also love to add Sundin to their lineup but did not ask the Leafs for permission to make contact before July 1.
Habster:
WOW, if this is factual and I have my doubts (none of the NY Dailies mention anything), then you’d have to think Mats Sundin isn’t going to sign with any team before the July 1st UFA deadline. I guess anything is possible in life but my faith in Gainey getting a Sundin deal done before July 1st certainly took a hit after reading this article.
I’m also a bit pissed off at Fletcher for milking the Sundin situation for every possible asset he can get. I just hope the Rangers and Canadiens aren’t giving up anything for simply talking to Sundin.
I wonder how Mats Sundin feels about this whole mess his former, old and past his prime GM has placed him in……..I hope he does wait until after July 1st to sign with a team so Fletcher and the Leafs don’t get anything in return.
Rocket:
Cliff Fletcher was quoted as saying that the Montreal Canadiens were given exclusive rights to negotiate with Mats Sundin until the July 1st deadline. So what gives? The SportsNet story is puzzling. Did the Rangers’ rights expire? Were the Habs told that the Rangers had a first opportunity to chat with Sundin? There are a more than a few questions.
Some have suggested that Gainey offered Fletcher a roster player (perhaps Grabowski). I certainly hope not. That would be outrageously expensive! It should be remembered that Gainey is not trading for Sundin, but only for a 2 week negotiating window with the player. After all, on July 1st, there is no compensation payable to the Leafs.
And now, if we learn that the two week negotiating period is not even exclusive, how much is that worth? A late round draft choice??For now, I’ll reserve my judgement on whether Sundin is worth the attention, the ‘courting’, the salary, etc. Let’s see how this story continues to play out.
