an excerpt from the TSN article by Bob McKenzie:
Sources tell TSN the timeline is as follows:
– The Maple Leafs met with Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry to indicate the club has interest in bringing Sundin back to Toronto. While no formal contract offer was made, Leafs’ GM Cliff Fletcher conveyed to Sundin that the team was prepared to pay him around $7 million on a one-year deal and that they wanted him back.
– The Maple Leafs contacted Sundin’s representatives last week to indicate that they were contemplating the transferring of Sundin’s exclusive negotiating rights to the Montreal Canadiens.
– Sundin’s representatives sought clarification on whether they would be limited to speak only to Montreal and were told that was indeed the case.
– Sundin’s representatives asked the Leafs for permission to talk to the New York Rangers before any negotiating rights changed hands and were granted that permission.
– Sundin’s representatives spoke to the Rangers to find out if they would be interested in acquiring Sundin’s exclusive negotiating rights but were told that was not something the club intended to do. No substantive talks with the Rangers were conducted after that.
– Sundin’s exclusive negotiating rights were then transferred to the Canadiens last week, which brings us to where we are at today.
Habster:
I’m a Habs fan at heart but even with that being said, I completely understand Mats Sundin’s desire to test the UFA market. Sundin has never been a UFA and though money won’t be the deciding factor where he goes, he certainly doesn’t want to be pressured into any quick decisions.
Mats Sundin has always taken his time to contemplate his future plans during the off-season so why should this year be any different for him.
And for the Canadiens fans (and Leafs fans as well) who are frustrated by Sundin’s posturing position or that Bob Gainey has wasted his time or a late round draft pick for nothing, take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture here!!!! The Montreal Canadiens and Bob Gainey have extended an open invitation by requesting permission to talk to Sundin and his agent which in turn shows Mr. Sundin how much they truly want him to be apart of their team/hockey family. The fact the Rangers weren’t willing to do the same certainly will give Sundin some food for thought when the money offered by both teams is the same.
I know some of you are shaking your head with disbelief concerning this thought but Sundin is a man of character whose sense of loyalty is beyond approach in today’s “me, myself and I” athlete. He has always been about putting the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans first regardless how you might feel about his refusal to waiver his NTC which was his right (and given to him by MLSE).
Gainey’s strategy may still work in the end if Sundin does decide to sign with the Habs before July 1st but at least Mats will fully know the extent of the Canadiens’ interest and desire to have him in the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.
