Everyone has likely heard of or read the article in the New York Post by now whereby Mats Sundin declares his interest in playing for the Broadway Blueshirts. Of course, this is denied by his agent, J.P. Barry (as in "Just Please Barry this story"). Now, the only thing that irks me more than another article claiming Sundin is interested in a specific destination or vice-versa is the denial by his agent and any party that is named in the story.
However, one paragraph did catch my eye.
Indeed, sources report that No. 13's second choice is Philadelphia, whose GM, Paul Holmgren, has been aggressive in his pursuit of the first-line center who could swing the balance of power in the East.
As a Flyers fan, I'm unsure if this excites me, confuses me, or simply proves to me the article is a total fabrication. The statement does specify that Sundin's second choice is Philadelphia, which would be OK. But the claim that Holmgren has aggressively pursued him leads me to worry when, considering the financial state the Flyers are in, I can't imagine Holmgren aggressively pursuing any pricy unrestricted free agent.
The Post is claiming a player like Michal Rozsival could be moved to clear up $5 million. Now, I do not profess to being a "capologist" by any means, but I can't even begin to conceive what Holmgren would do to clear that type of space up. I believe, as of right now, the Flyers are at the ceiling.
Cap issues aside, the reason I was finally intrigued by a Sundin rumor is that it involved the Flyers, and, to this point, I've been pretty surprised to have not seen Holmgren and Co. named in the mix more often. It's no secret that the Flyers have coveted Sundin for some time now, even trying to pry him away during the Eric Lindros-Bobby Clarke saga.
Going on the assumption made in the Post article that Sundin can be signed for $5-7 million per year, that would be a lot of maneuvering for Holmgren. Obviously, if Mike Rathje remained on long-term DL and Derian Hatcher retired or was also pegged under the same status, that would clear up to $7 million (my guess would be this is what Holmgren's banking on). Now, if one or both of them returned at any point, the Flyers would be well over the cap instantly, and urgent changes would be required.
Mike Knuble could be shopped around as he is in his last season of a $2.8 million contract, but that would only be a small portion of Sundin's salary. You see why I'm quite skeptical of the validity of the sources for the New York Post article. I think we could be seeing a little "floater" interest being conjured up by Mr. Barry and a hockey columnist in New York on a slow news day in the NHL.
If Sundin were able to join the Flyers with little-to-no movement made to the current roster (i.e. Rathje and Hatcher were no longer a hit to the cap), then the Flyers would have to be considered the most offensively dangerous team in the Eastern Conference. The first nine forwards on the Flyers would all have 20-goal potential. I'd be a pretty happy Flyers fan. If Holmgren is seriously and aggressively pursuing Sundin, I really hope he has some more magic up his sleeve, because I would hate to see him dismantle the beginnings of a very promising unit he's put together thus far for a 37-year-old.
One short paragraph piqued my interest in a Sundin story; please forgive me. I vow that, from this point on, the next article I read on Mats Sundin will require the headline: "Sundin signs with [fill in appropriate NHL team here]."
P.S.: If anyone has a link to a site where NHL team's salary caps are listed, it would be greatly appreciated for future research.
21 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
G P 10 months ago
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/
Best cap site on the web
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
Thanks G
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Alan Bass 10 months ago
Oh jeez....I hope he's not coming to Philly. We're over the cap already as it is....
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
Well I wouldn't mind him in Philly....even at 37 he has a ton to offer. The only issue I would have with it is that Philly would have even less chance to upgrade their defensive group if that chance came along
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Jeff Badger 10 months ago
I'm kind of partial to www.nhlnumbers.com, if only for readability - I prefer their layout. Data is identical and I find they update faster. Thought you would have grabbed that from my Kings article.
Flyers already have a log jam at center - Carter would be a #1 on a lot of teams, and he's making $5 Mil, slated for the 3rd line spot. Fare chance Briere moves to wing and Richards takes the #1 fully, so Carter would move up to #2, but with Mats, Carter's back on the 3rd again. Would be bad for developement for either Carter or Richards to move to wing, and Mats is way more effective up the middle than coming off the wing.
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
Jeff, I like the way you think both in reading your articles and uyour comments. I can't help agree with your assessment here and that is probably only more fuel for the fire that this statement within the article is complete fabrication.
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Tyler Hill 10 months ago
Mats isn't going anywhere not even Toronto, he's finished, done, going into retirement, he'll be catching "Early Bird Specials" in sweden from now on.
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Matthew Di Nicolantonio 10 months ago
nhlnumbers.com is my preferred choice as well.
Nelson, this is a good article (and I encourage all to check out what I've written on Mats today - I think everyone has their own opinion).
Sundin would make Philly scary good up front but I think they need to do too much in order to get him, and the Rangers do as well. I agree with your closing statement about not reading another article about him until he's signed, I'm getting tired of the whole situation.
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ASR 10 months ago
Sundin in a Philly uniform? Scary good.
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Rafal Ladysz 10 months ago
Ya sundin is finally giving up on the Leafs after carrying them for years. Philly already has Briere, Richards, Carter, Lupul, Knuble, Hartnell, and Sundin would just be the exclamation point. Even if they don't get Sundin their still a major contender in the East.
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
Well I do agree that Philly and NYR would have too much work to do. And for that reason Mats will probably end up elsewhere or retired as Tyler suggested.
One thing about Ed Snider (owner of the Flyers) he believes in letting his GM sign first and worry about the cap later. Bobby Clarke signed Forsberg with Snider's permission and then to make room sent Roenick a fan favourite packing to clear the needed $5M+.
I think Holmgren may figure that to make up for the possible weakness on the back end the best option is to stack your forward group. As it stands right now there is no available defensemen that suits Philly's needs.....no not even McCabe. LOL
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Dave Gainer 10 months ago
Mats Sundin's best days are over. i liken him to a Brendan Shanahan, he will be effective at times but not the player he used to be...Sundin would be a bad fit for Philly. The flyers already have all the players they need to contend, the dont need Forsberg or Sundin.. a better fit would be Boston or Buffalo, teams that can use Mat's skill offensively... we will see.......
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Jeff Badger 10 months ago
Eveyone's entitled to an opinion, but I have no idea what you're basing yours on. Sundin's stats have been practically identical for the past 15 seasons, and the last 3 years the team has actually gotten worse, yet Sundin continues to score 30+ goals and a point per game. As opposed to Shannahan who in his prime routinely scored more goals than he did total points last season. Shannahan's skating has slowed significantly, Sundin's has not. Shannahan is not the physical player he once was. Sundin last season was arguably the strongest we have ever seen him when working down low.
Agree that the Flyers aren't a great match for him - as they are already loaded at Center - but Sundin is still a very dominant center in the NHL. Last season he was top 10 in goals and points (among centers).
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G P 10 months ago
I hate to burst everyone's bubble. The Flyers were the fluke last year. They shouldn't have beaten Washington. The rode a hot goalie.
The are still a bubble team. Biron is one of the worst starting goalies in the East. The Panthers have a better shot at the playoffs...
Only Ottawa, and Atlanta have worse tenders in the East. I'd let you argue Carolina as well... Though Ward has a terrible defense in front of him. Much like Toskala... did
Good luck, I hope you enjoy paying your 3rd line centre 5 mil per.
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G P 10 months ago
Damn I forgot about the Islanders... Biron is better than DiPietro... barely.
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Scott Quinn 10 months ago
Boston and Tampa also have questionable goaltending.
And I do agree that they over-achieved last season, however, as a young team I don't expect them to fade away (should be a lock for top 5 in the east).
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
G the flag you have as your photo says all I need to know about the value of your opinion on teams or goalies.
Thanks though.
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
G sorry about the personal insult. But living in Toronto I find that Maple Leaf fan are quick to judge other teams and make claims that they never qualify with stats or some point that makes any sense.
To simply state Biron one of the worst goalies in the league means nothing if you can't back it.
And btw the Flyers only over-achieved in the playoffs. They are young but not a year older and together and with Gagne back in the line up and Jason Smith in Ottawa I can't see how they could be worse.
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G P 10 months ago
I don't have proof in the stats, don't want to look them up, but I know they speak for themselves. Philadelphia will squeak into the playoffs again this year.
Top 5 lock? Is no different than saying the Leafs have one of the top 5 positions locked as well.
I believe Montreal and Boston are locks for the post season, in the Northeast. Out of Buffalo, Ottawa and the Leafs, one of those teams will squeak in, based on play against the other northeastern teams.
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Nelson Santos 10 months ago
Well G.....I think you may be quite surprised to see MTL come down from where they were last season...the only saving grace for them is they play in the NorthLEAST division.
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G P 10 months ago
I didn't say the Habs wouldn't come down in the standings. I see Washington and the Penguins moving up the rail... even Boston.
However they are a lock to make the post season, and do have the benefit of playing in a somewhat weaker division.
Not as weak as the SouthEast. Though I think Florida will surprise.
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