One of the biggest questions right now on Leafs fans' minds is whether or not Captain Mats Sundin returns next year to play with the Blue and White.
Sundin has stated that he would love to retire a Maple Leaf—but teams like the Canucks are offering him one the most lucrative salaries in the league. What will be his decision for this this upcoming year?
Vancouver has mentioned that if Sundin plays for the Canucks, he will almost certainly be wearing the "C." And with the 2010 Olympics just around the corner, Vancouver has advised the Swedish Captain that he could play on his home ice for the 2010 Olympics, defending his country's gold medal. Such an opportunity only comes around once, and could be a huge factor for the Swede.
But if Sundin does decide to play in Vancouver, what is left for the Leafs?
With Jaromir Jagr signing over in the Russian Super League, and all remaining big-name players already signed with teams, what will the Toronto Maple Leafs do with the cash they would have paid Sundin?
One possibility is a trade. Look for the Leafs possibly going after Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It has been rumoured around Columbus that the Canadian native is not happy were he is playing at the moment, and would like to play elsewhere. But for a player of his stature, Toronto would have to sacrifice at least two top forwards and a draft pick, plus cash.
Rick Nash would be a great fit in Toronto, but what two forwards would Toronto trade to have Nash on the team?
I could see Toronto getting rid of forwards Alexei Ponikarovsky and Alex Steen—two respected players in their own rights—a second-round draft pick, and, of course, money.
Its is obvious that Toronto is rebuilding, but you have to wonder if without Sundin, the Leafs will have some serious troubles this year putting the puck in the net.
Toronto hasn't really made any big moves this offseason, and I think that they may be relying too much on having Sundin return. But why would he?
The media has always criticised him on his play and leadership in the locker room, so why would he want to put himself in a situation of having the media and fans ask the same old question—"Will Mats lead the team to the Cup this year?"
A few more months and we will know the outcome of Mats Sundin's hockey future. But until then, don't hold your breath on this guy playing with the Blue and White again. I expect him to play elsewhere—simply for the peace of mind.
23 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Aaron Balsillie 11 months ago
Of course, this is all assuming Columbus would want to part ways with their young, very talented franchise player, which won't happen anytime soon! Plus, Cliff Fletcher may have cash, and may have some talented forwards, but he is running out of draft picks. The chances of getting Rick Nash are about as good as getting Sidney Crosby.
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Jamie Murphy 11 months ago
The only way Columbus would entertain trading Rick Nash to the Leafs would be if Fletcher put Toronto's 2009 first round pick on the table, and even then I have my doubts that the Jackets would bite. They need to make the playoffs in the next couple of years so why would you trade your young superstar?
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John Arvai 11 months ago
Hello Alan,
Where has it been rumored that Nash wants out of Columbus? I haven't read or heard anything of the sort.
Columbus just named Nash captain and he has said on record many times that he plans to be captain for a long time.
Now of course in the world of professional sports things can change quickly, especially if Columbus can't break through to the playoffs in two years time, but I don't see any scenario where Columbus considering trading Nash this season. In fact I think the plan will be to extend him this time next year.
John
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Shawn Owens 11 months ago
Nash is not a good fit for Toronto at this time.
The Leafs have a lot of work to do to even put a competitive team on the ice. Not to mention the front office is a mess.
Now, they are heading in the right direction with Ron Wilson as their new head coach. However, you will need to have patience to enjoy what the Leafs will be doing in the next couple of seasons.
Nash wants to win now and the Leafs are not the team for him.....at this point.
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Alan Campbell 11 months ago
Rick nash has 2 years left on his contract which will respectfully pay him $6.5 million this year and $7 million next year. I know that he is the centre point for the Jackets, but if Columbus was really interested in having a good run at the playoffs this year, they wouldn't have released Fedorov to Washington, and they would have tried to get players this off season to help out Nash. Who else can play with him Nikolai Zherdov, yeah he is a good player with 61 pts last year, but you need more than two guys on your team to produce. The closest in points to both these players was Michael Peca with 34 pts, Peca's career slowly coming to an end. You can't expect a guy like Nash to want to stay somewhere and play when there is no players to play with. You say he wants to win now, he won't win anytime soon in Columbus, not saying that if he came to Toronto he would win, but I would have to say that he would have more than just one player to play with that could produce.
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Jo Valentine-Cooper 11 months ago
Oh, wow.
First: Nikolai ZherdEv is now a Blueshirt. He doesn't enter into the equasion anymore.
Second: You don't think R.J. Umberger and Kristian Huselius will help Nash, given that they'll almost certainly be playing on his line?
Third: Speaking of Umberger and Huselius - yes, they're Blue Jackets now, in case you didn't notice. Also, add Fredrik Modin returning from the Misdiagnosed Injury Seasion Of Hell. I think they should probably help out a little with that scoring problem.
Fourth: We have three potential stars in the pipeline in Brassard, Voracek, and Filatov, two of whom (Brass and V) are almost locks to make the team this year on sheer ability and commitment.
Fifth: Nash has gone on the radio and newswires repeatedly stating that he's excited about the moves made, that he's looking forward to the next season - oh, and that he intends to be captain here for a long long time.
Sheesh.
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Jo Valentine-Cooper 11 months ago
Oh, wow. Where to begin...
First: Nikolai ZherdEv is now a Blueshirt. He doesn't enter into the equasion anymore.
Second: You don't think R.J. Umberger and Kristian Huselius will help Nash, given that they'll almost certainly be playing on his line?
Third: Speaking of Umberger and Huselius - yes, they're Blue Jackets now, in case you didn't notice. Also, add Fredrik Modin returning from the Misdiagnosed Injury Seasion Of Hell. I think they should probably help out a little with that scoring problem.
Fourth: We have three potential stars in the pipeline in Brassard, Voracek, and Filatov, two of whom (Brass and V) are almost locks to make the team this year on sheer ability and commitment.
Fifth: Nash has gone on the radio and newswires repeatedly stating that he's excited about the moves made, that he's looking forward to the next season - oh, and that he intends to be captain here for a long long time.
Sheesh. Shades of the old Vinny-to-MTL rumors here.
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Bruce Locke 11 months ago
the leafs aren't going to trade for their cornerstone player.. they want to draft one
and the argument that the leafs have more talent to play with? not right now they dont.
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Alan Campbell 11 months ago
So your telling me that the leafs don't have a better player than Michael Peca? Take a look at the leafs roster from last year and tell me how many players on that roster were above, well say 40 pts so it looks like it could be close to Michael Peca. I believe its 5 players (not including Mats Sundin). So, to your argument about the leafs not having more talent to play with, I think this fact will set the record straight. Look at the next closest goal leaders behind Nash and Zherdov, 14 by Jason Chimera, so by the states of last year, I would have to say the leafs have more talent to play with.
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Sean MacCormack 11 months ago
This would be a stupid year to try and trade for Nash, plus I don't think Columbus would do it with 2 years left on his contract. I think if they were to do it would be next summer, or at the deadline if they are not going to make the playoffs. Also I think this year the leafs should give as much ice time to the young guys, who knows how some of them will develop this year and next year, and they will cost us NOTHING to acquire, since we already have them!
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Greg Marsh 11 months ago
I like Nash myself, and the hockey market he's in isn't doing him any justice to his talent. He would be a great fit in Toronto, and I think the fans would love him there. I know if I were to attend another game at the ACC, Nash would most definitely be on my list of players to watch for.
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Scott Quinn 11 months ago
There's no question that Nash is a superstar but he is not a one-man team either. If he could carry a team by himself, the BJs (yes, i did just call them that) would've made the playoffs by now. Even if you bring in Nash, there still isn't enough offensive talent to instantly turn the team around.
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Jeff MacLennan 11 months ago
Stop freaking out saying he's not going to Toronto for sure. Anything can happen.....
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Kevin McRae 11 months ago
There is absolutely no way Columbus trades Nash. Not this year and not anytime soon. He isn't a UFA until 2010 and the team needs his star power as they build towards the playoffs. Don't forget this is a team that spent some money this off-season and in my view upgraded their roster pretty nicely.
Kristian Huselius is a nice piece who will score between 25-30 goals this season for the Jackets. R.J. Umburger and Raffi Torres are also good fits for this team that will contribute 15 goals or so each.
Down on the farm Columbus has a couple of real blue-chip prospects in Voracek and Brassard. This is a team that isn't far from contention at least for the playoffs. They have no reason to even consider trading Nash at this point.
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Emily Spalding 11 months ago
Columbus won't be trading Rick Nash anytime soon. The Jackets want to make it into the playoffs this year or next and they can't do it without there franchise player. If Rick was truly unhappy playing in Columbus he won't have taken the captaincy. He wouldn't have wanted it as badly as he did for that matter. If Rick would be traded o Toronto which I don't think is going to happen he would have to work as hard as he does with the Blue Jackets and even more because right now Toronto is rebuilding their team. Rick has already worked hard enough building Columbus to the team they are today. He shouldn't have to start over.
I personally wouldn't be a bit surprised if the Blue Jackets don't extend Rick's contract this time next year or even when he becomes a UFA. Heck,Columbus could sign him for basically the rest of his career like Washington did with Ovechkin.
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David Heere 11 months ago
I will tell you what I told the last guy to come up with this "idea"
Uhhhh.... "leafs" through rumor pages... what obscure thing did you pick this off of? I live in Columbus and I have no idea where you got this...
I can't blame Nash if this is true though... I mean who would be happy being the poster boy of a franchise, being the new captain, having a coach who coached the Canadian World Championship team you were on and he compliments your huge frame and power forward playing style while turning you into a solid two-way player, having a team with huge space under the cap so when in two season you become a UFA they can pay you as much as you want, playing on a team that brought in three 20 or more goal scorers and three huge defenseman and has two young superstars scratching at the line-up next season, and thus putting together a much better team... sounds like a terrible situation for any player to be in... I would want out as soon as possible too... especially to Toronto... I mean Jeff Finger was enough for me but then RYAN HOLLWEG!? Stop you're giving me a chubby...
I think I'd be concentrating on getting Mats back then winning the Tavares race and build your team around him...
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
i don't think that nash will ever go to toronto, whether through trade or free agency
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Jerrit Dusome 11 months ago
There is no chance that Rick Nash is going to be coming to the Leafs. Even if Nash wants out of Columbus, why would he want to come to Toronto where they are in the midst of rebuilding? As much as I would love Nash to come to Toronto (I am a die hard Leaf fan), I don't see it happening. Especially if the offer is Ponikarovsky, Steen, and 2nd round pick. I just don't think that offer is signicant enough for a player of Nash's quality.
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Lee Denault 11 months ago
It would probably take
Kubina, Steen, 2nd in '09, 1st in '10
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Alex Harrington 11 months ago
It would take Kubina, Steen, 1st in '09, and 1st in '10...minimum. The guy is a cornerstone franchise player. It will take a Lindros-esque trade to get Nash out of C-Bus.
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Lee Denault 11 months ago
minimum?...
Think about that for a second. Thats a hell of a good offer. I think my proposal would be minimum.
You know how cherished 1st round picks are?... especially top 1-10 picks.
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Bryce serratore 11 months ago
Mats Sundin is a big fat loser.
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Chris Bain 10 months ago
uhh NO offense, but who ever wrote this bog is a retard and has no knowledge of the CBA...
YOU CANNOT TRADE CASH FOR PLAYERS .. PERIOD discussion closed
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