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If he wants to remain a Leaf, he better take a paycut. This team needs all the cap room they can get.

Exactly Crowned, I'm sure the Leafs would love to have him back but at what price? This team needs all the extra money possible to play with, if Mats is willing and able to take a paycut so the Leafs can possible sign him a winger to play with then it's fine. I still believe we can get it done with Matts, it's clear now that the Leafs cannot soley rely on him to carry them, he needs help.

On the Fan 590, Ferguson said they're looking at a multi-year deal. My feeling is if comes back for two year's at say 4 million a year tops, I can live with it. Knowing the way this organization is run though, I expect a 4 year deal worth something like 20 million or even more.

Sundin should retire a Leaf. His number should be retired. I cannot believe how he sacrificed his whole career here without complaining.

He made a ton of money and I do not think he sacrificed anything to be here. I hate retiring numbers and love the fact that the Leafs only retire them if something tragic happens.

Hustle&Flow wrote:Sundin should retire a Leaf. His number should be retired. I cannot believe how he sacrificed his whole career here without complaining.

This is true to a certain extent. I believe he's done everything within his power to carry this team, especially during their runs in the late 90's early 2000's. The problem is he never truly had the talent he should have had to play with him.

I think he should be remembered as one of the greatest Leafs, sadly, he won't be because Leaf fans would prefer to cheer on Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark types. Don't get me wrong, both were very good players and key players for the Leafs. Sundin was more talented than either of them.

As for retiring a Leaf, I'd like to see it but not with the way this organization has been run. I'll give you and example - Detroit. They had an aging Yzerman, but they could afford to keep him around at a reasonable contract because they had Zetterberg and Datsyuk coming up behing him, slowly ready to take over. The Leafs do not have such player's at this time and thus a business and hockey decision must be made.

vc_dunkchamp wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



This is true to a certain extent. I believe he's done everything within his power to carry this team, especially during their runs in the late 90's early 2000's. The problem is he never truly had the talent he should have had to play with him.

I think he should be remembered as one of the greatest Leafs, sadly, he won't be because Leaf fans would prefer to cheer on Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark types. Don't get me wrong, both were very good players and key players for the Leafs. Sundin was more talented than either of them.

As for retiring a Leaf, I'd like to see it but not with the way this organization has been run. I'll give you and example - Detroit. They had an aging Yzerman, but they could afford to keep him around at a reasonable contract because they had Zetterberg and Datsyuk coming up behing him, slowly ready to take over. The Leafs do not have such player's at this time and thus a business and hockey decision must be made.

Clark, yes. Gilmour, no. The only thing is that Gilmour wasn't here long enough. I still think Sundin will be remembered as one of the greatest Leafs. He will soon hold the Leafs all time scoring records.

I agree that the Leafs have done a pretty bad job building a contender, but I think some onus falls on Sundin as well. He has never really had that huge defining playoff performance.

If they want to keep Sundin, then I hope it's for something low like $1 million. I know it's wishful thinking but he's made so much money over his career it's not even funny. If he signs for $4-5 million, then it's pretty much pointless since they won't be able to put together as good a team with the cap space.

If they do sign him, it needs to be for a low amount;1.5-2 million. If he wants more than trade tucker. tuckers nothing but a camper beside the net waiting for the puck..A job Andy Wozniewski can do

I wish he would be adamant that he wants to win a Cup

this team is going no where fast

sundin is kinda like the KG of hockey

carries the team, the only time some talent was around him the team went far in the playoffs

he should be traded to a contender, both sides can start fresh

If he wants to so bad, help us out and take a paycut like Crowned said.

Sundin is slated to earn just under 5 million next year with the option but his contract will go against the cap for 6.3 million (don't know why but it's true, something must have been deferred)

Which means Sundin will be signing for something in between like 5.5 million. This way he gets more money and the Leafs take less of a cap hit. Knowing JFJ and his shrewd negotiating skills, it will be a 3 year deal closer to 6 million (because of course he deserves more money than McCabe, but then again doesn't everyone) and of course a now traditional no trade clause thrown in for good measure.

Hustle&Flow wrote:Sundin should retire a Leaf. His number should be retired. I cannot believe how he sacrificed his whole career here without complaining.

sacrificed his entire career by getting paid tons of money and then never delivering a chip...yeah way to go mats...although i do like mats...if he wants to reamin a leaf bhe better be willing to take 2 million a year...thats all i would give him thats max...2 years....other then that not worth holdign the rest of the team down from getting fgood free agents

Elevatorman wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



sacrificed his entire career by getting paid tons of money and then never delivering a chip...yeah way to go mats...although i do like mats...if he wants to reamin a leaf bhe better be willing to take 2 million a year...thats all i would give him thats max...2 years....other then that not worth holdign the rest of the team down from getting fgood free agents

Beside's making a fair amount of money. What more could Sundin do with linemates like Jonus Hoglund and such. He's never fairly been surrounded by player's of his talent. Roberts was much older and definitely a good player, but not at the same level. One year he had Mogilny, but even he was older.

Do you truly believe, that the Leafs teams put on the ice in the last 7-8 year's were legitimate Contender's. I've always believe they were a notch below that category and overachieved a bit due to the stellar goaltending of CuJo.

vc_dunkchamp wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Beside's making a fair amount of money. What more could Sundin do with linemates like Jonus Hoglund and such. He's never fairly been surrounded by player's of his talent. Roberts was much older and definitely a good player, but not at the same level. One year he had Mogilny, but even he was older.

Do you truly believe, that the Leafs teams put on the ice in the last 7-8 year's were legitimate Contender's. I've always believe they were a notch below that category and overachieved a bit due to the stellar goaltending of CuJo.

I agree that management, even though they put out some pretty good teams, never made the effort to put out a legit contender, but all this about how Sundin sacrificed his career and never complained, you would think that management keeps Sundin locked up in the basement of the ACC. He has signed massive contract here knowing how the team is. Apparantly he likes it because he keeps saying how he doesn't want to play anywhere else.

I'm okay with him making relatively big money on a two-year deal. One, because they're going to basically be screwed under the cap anyway. There's no way he's signing for less than $5 mil, another mil or so won't make a difference. Second, two years won't kill the future if it doesn't work out and/or he goes downhill fast - unlike the deals handed out to guys like McCabe.

Of course, if management miraculously wakes up and sees the light, and gets a good GM who is allowed to do his job, then everything goes out the window.
(Sorry for beating that poor horse again.) I'm assuming JFJ or whoever replaces him won't have a mandate to conduct a proper rebuilding.

He's not worth anymore than 5 million a season. If he wants more then that, then I think it's time to move on

Southward1 wrote:He's not worth anymore than 5 million a season. If he wants more then that, then I think it's time to move on

If it's for a couple of year's tops, maybe 5 million is okay. But with the new NHL, prime earning year's for player's is now probably 25 to 33, anyone older will have to be the exception just because the cap is so restrictive.

Would any other team give Sundin 5 million per?

I don't think so, so why should we?