Thanks For The Memories

December 16, 2008 @ 08:05

Mats Sundin is apparently close to making a decision about what team he wants to play for this half season.

That's what it is, a half season, which makes me laugh when I think about Sundin's supposed noble stance last spring when he claimed he didn't want to be a "rent a player."

If he was going to win a Stanley Cup he wanted to be a part of the team for the long haul claiming he wasn't trying to screw the Leafs by not lifting his no-trade clause.

He was taking the high road by not becoming a "Johnny come lately" and lifting a Stanley Cup without being an established member of the "team."

Bullshit as far as I'm concerned.

For some reason Sundin had a pickle up his ass over something. Something beyond the fact the Leafs had given him close to 50 million dollars over the past dozen years, made him captain and pretty much handed him the keys to the franchise.

I'd like to know what Sundin's time-line is. A trade in early March is no good, but jumping aboard a top flight club in January is A-OK.

Sundin has taken a rest, taken a look at the landscape, and has apparently decided he'd like to win a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers.

It doesn't matter that he hasn't been part of the plan for the first three months of the season. He's ready to play and he likes the bright lights of New York - that's all that matters.

To be honest, I'm thrilled with his decision. As long as he doesn't end up back with the Leafs I'm happy.

I've said all along it's time to move on from the Sundin era, and that's played out nicely by watching the young Leafs this year who've played with more enthusiasm and arguably more skill than they did during most of the Sundin years.

Even during the so-called successful years when Sundin was part of the Leafs, he didn't play a major role. He didn't.

He always had a way of disappearing down the stretch and during key games in the playoffs. He didn't deliver the goods.

It should be a fun time down the stretch and into the playoffs. I keep having this creepy feeling that the Eastern Conference Final will come down to a matchup between the Habs and Rangers. I wouldn't know who to support.

I can't stand the Habs, but the last thing I'd want to see is Sundin win a Stanley Cup. Without Sundin I'm a Ranger guy all the way. With him, all of a sudden the Habs don't look as distasteful.

Thank goodness the Boston Bruins are so strong this year. It doesn't look like either Rangers or Habs are a match for them. Some might argue that with Sundin, it puts the Rangers over the top, but I beg to differ.

When push comes to shove, when the Rangers really need Sundin he won't be there.

You watch.

Category: Sports

41 Responses to "Thanks For The Memories"

"Speyside Phil"
December 16, 2008 / 09:44

Well Fred you have sunk to an all time low with your blind dislike for Sundin, the greatest Leaf to ever wear the "C".
You are now considering cheering for the Habs, this is a sad day in Freddie P land.

Curtis
December 16, 2008 / 09:57

Am I nuts or aren't the Rangers 28th in the league in scoring? The addition of that old bugger is not gonna put the Rangers over the top, They will make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs and choke. Kinda like my leafs when Sundin was around in the "successful" years. It's tough bleeding blue and white, but sans Sundin we are way better off.

Sammi
December 16, 2008 / 10:22

A sad end to a guy who seemed genuine. I guess he is just like anyone else. He was insulted when Fletcher asked him to be traded...now he just throws it in everyone's face.

A decent player who was never worthy of being a captain.

Max
December 16, 2008 / 13:00

You're sick, Fred. That's all there is to it.
Exhibit A: According to you, Sundin's career with the Leaf demonstrates his lack of commitment to winning the Cup. After all, a guy who "had a way of disappearing down the stretch" obviously doesn't have a desire to win the ultimate prize. Now, however, you would have us believe winning a Cup is first and foremost in Sundin's mind, and that's what's driving him.
This is a perfect example of how this guy cannot win with you no matter what, and also a perfect example of your pathological (definition: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal) hatred of the guy.
Exhibit B: You continue to reinforce your position that you've "said all along it's time to move on from the Sundin era". I don't think I've ever seen a single post disagreeing with that statement, so why the paranoid repetition, as if you're the lone beacon of reason on the subject?
Finally, regarding the "rental player" thing, there is a difference between:
a) being parachuted in at the trade deadline with a short-term contract, playing through the playoffs, and then retiring or moving on, which is the definition of a rental player and
b) joining a team mid-way through the season with a 2-3 year deal in place.

IanS
December 16, 2008 / 13:27

Speyside Phil,

Excuse me? The best Leaf to ever wear the "C" was Keon. An argument could be made for Kennedy, Armstrong, Apps, or Conacher, but not Sundin. Not ever.

Pam
December 16, 2008 / 14:50

Hey Fred, you are my hero when it comes to your political commentary, but I think it's time you laid off Sundin. He's gone, so just let it go....

Brenda's Boyfriend from Cambridge
December 16, 2008 / 15:38

I guess I also have a different view in regards to Mats than Freddie does.

I mean, you know how all Leaf fans usually feel screwed when nothing effective is done to improve their team (when they think they have a shot at going deep in the playoffs)?

(Brian Leetch, Cory Cross, Aki Berg, Phil Housley, Larry Murphy, Andrew Raycroft, Owen Nolan, etc, come to mind--I'm sure there are several more.)

Now imagine playing for that organization for 13 years and the best wingers they could get for you were Jonas Hoglund, Alex Mogilny, and Steve Thomas...

I mean, when Detroit is going out and consistently getting talent like Hasek, Rafalski, Lang and Hossa, you can't help but think he might feel a little screwed as well, huh?

I guess an authority on "how I felt screwed when playing for the Leafs" would be Curtis Joseph, right?

Isn't that why he jetted out of here the first time...?

Buffalo Boy Mike
December 16, 2008 / 18:11

Never good to change the locker room with a big name like that half way through. The Rangers are going to fine without him, with him, like you said Freddie, chances are, you might be marginally better, but in the end, Mats will be the one who didn't get it done.

organ
December 16, 2008 / 21:03

Mats rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mikey
December 17, 2008 / 01:38

I've gotta agree with Fred on this one, there's just something about the way Sundin's handled this whole situation that's left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.

Kirk
December 17, 2008 / 09:43

Rangers, in the final!

dave
December 17, 2008 / 10:06

This just in, I checked with Mats, he always liked Humble better.

Mats
December 17, 2008 / 10:20

Freddie, it wasn't me who "Crap" on you're cornflakes!

Sid
December 17, 2008 / 10:28

why knock a guy who showed up every game, was the most entertaining Leaf in yrs and handled himself with class all the time?

Jake
December 17, 2008 / 10:33

Seems Cujo left here due to the thing with Leaf and Olympic coach Pat Quinn and Quinner gave him the 1st Olympic game and he tanked, thus Brodeur came in and was great as he always has been.
Leafs were paying Cujo what? 10 mill or so then....geez.

Ball
December 17, 2008 / 11:19

Hey Fred,

How come you haven't commented on the most viewed sport in the world???

Honda pulling out of Formula 1, Canada losing its race, France losing its race...

The rule changes and the spec changes for the 09 season...

Enough about hockey, how about a little Formula 1 news?

Dave Williams
December 17, 2008 / 12:04

Fred, you are on the RIGHT side of the political spectrum, I am now happy that there is a crack in the armour of the Habs support. I hope that Montreal and New York do meet, then we will see how far you can bend.

Paul
December 17, 2008 / 13:44

Sundin? Who really cares? People need to get a life. This is his job and he can chose to do what he wants. Athletes are no different than radio announcers or executives - look after yourself first, and the rest will take care of themselves.

Dave Williams
December 17, 2008 / 15:59

Paul, you need to relax, the Sundin jokes are in jest.

Boomer
December 18, 2008 / 11:53

Freddie, I read the first two paragraphs and could not agree with you more. He would not accept a trade because he didn't want to be a rent a player. Why, why, oh why, is he beginning this season almost halfway through the season?

The Leafs would have received a great deal by him accepting a trade to any team that HE agreed to last spring but he refused. I know he did not owe it to the Leafs to accept a trade but he knew he was not coming back for 2008-09.

The fans would have held him in high regard and would always be considered a King in TO. Now I am sure the day he returns to the ACC will be with mixed reception by the fans.

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