Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:25 am EST
Reader Contest: Predict when and how Mats Sundin returns
Free agent Mats Sundin's chronic disregard for his increasingly disposable "deadlines" long ago crossed over into the realm of parody. So when his agent J.P. Barry says that Sundin is "driving towards making a decision by Dec. 15," we all understand that his decision could be to make yet another decision somewhere around Valentine's Day 2009.
That said, the former Toronto Maple Leafs captain has been training vigorously, and seems closer than ever to ending this protracted "derby" and signing with an NHL team. Maybe it'll be the Vancouver Canucks and their gargantuan offer. Maybe it'll be the New York Rangers, for the chance to be the franchise's second chrome-domed Messiah in the last 15 years. Then there are the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks ... hell, even the Tampa Bay Lightning are in the mix.
Why, when, who ... the possibilities are endless. And that's where you, dear readers, come in.
Using the comments section on this post, we're looking for your predictions on the exact team, date and hour (EST) that Mats Sundin agrees to a contract with an NHL team this season. (Example: "New York Rangers, Dec. 15, noon." And then add the obligatory snark and/or hackneyed justification to make this fun.)
The first comment that lists a particular team/time/date gets dibs on that combination. For winner verification, we'll be using TSN's timestamp on their first news article that offers concrete evidence Sundin has signed. And it's "Price Is Right" rules, people: The prediction closest to the actual time and date without going over wins ... as long as you have the team correct as well.
Besides a sense of immense personal satisfaction, the winner receives a copy of 2K Sports' "NHL 2K9" for either PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 2. If you don't like video games, we could give you a copy of "Slap Shot 3" instead.
So have at it: Give us the team, the date and the time (EST) for Mats Sundin's triumphant return to the NHL in the comments and win something. As the great Velvet Jones was fond of saying, "It's as simple as that!"
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Greg Wyshynski
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564 Comments
1 - 25 of 564
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After prolonged negotiations and begging, Sundin is the latest player to drink the Koules Aid. Oren & Len timed the Sundin signing so that Tampa Bay fans & media will forget that millions were spent and not a single damn Lightning player made the All Star game.
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He ends up signing where the money is, and where he has a good chance at a stanley cup run without upsetting the Toronto fans. I read somewhere that Sundin would have complications to play on an American team because of his citizinship status, so my guess is he stays in Canada, but not on a rival like Montreal.
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He ends up signing where the money is, and where he has a good chance at a stanley cup run without upsetting the Toronto fans. I read somewhere that Sundin would have complications to play on an American team because of his citizinship status, so my guess is he stays in Canada, but not on a rival like Montreal.
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However, my gut says that he'll do something wild, along with the wildest owner/GM combo in the NHL, and sign with the NY Islanders for some wild contract that has a bunch of whacky clauses for personal services to Charles Wang, attendence increases, and making the playoffs. As well, I would like to see the Islanders sign fellow Swede Peter Forsberg, make a pitch to Dominic Hasek, and attempt to trade DiPietro to Florida for future considerations. Hell, what do I win if Garth Snow pulls all this off?
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Montreal has a more legitimate chance of winning the cup than most of the other contenders, they have a reasonable amount of cap room for a pro-rated deal, plus it might boost Sundin's ego to create a story where he joins them in their 100th year to capture their 25th cup which would be the only one in his career.
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He says he looks good in orange at the press conference.
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Colorado Avalanche faces off against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sundin, Forsberg, and Sakic step onto the ice together, cry a little, then become the first trio to grace the cover of NHL 10.
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At the trade deadline, on March 4 at (for the sake of not going over) 9:00 a.m. Sundin signs with the only team stupid enough to still have cap room for his big ego, yet skilled enough to be in playoff contention.
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Not sure this would be a great move for the Habs since they are doing well of late, but my guess is that one of the reasons he's been waiting this long is to sign is that he can't go and sign with the "rival" Habs until he's had some kind of mourning period! :P (though as pointed out in a previous blog, apparently the Sens are bigger rivals?)
If it happens, it would be interesting to see who the Habs move.
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1 - 25 of 564