NHL Trade Deadline: Mats Sundin's Many Suitors

The Sporting News reports the Vancouver Canucks, in addition to pursuing Forsberg, are interested in veteran all-stars Jaromir Jagr, Mats Sundin, and Olli Jokinen. 

See NHL trade deadline will produce big deals

Jagr and Jokinen are very unlikely. Jagr is too expensive, has questionable motivation (remaining), and is in his twilight years; Florida wants to keep Jokinen if they can.

Sundin is a potential interest and a superb fit for the Canucks, if he can be convinced to waive his no-trade clause. The Maple Leafs are all but officially eliminated from the playoffs—seven points out of the last spot occupied by Boston, and the Bruins have two games in hand. 

Count it as 11 points because the Leafs will continue to falter. As such, the Leafs want to move Sundin and want young prospects in return, namely a goaltending prospect.

The Canucks are willing to part with young goalie prospect Corey Schneider, but the Leafs will want more—probably speedy and talented center Ryan Kessler, and perhaps either defenseman Luc Bordon or Alexander Edler.

Canucks GM Dave Nonis does not, however, want to part with Kessler for what could turn out to be a rental in Sundin. Perhaps, the Leafs would accept Alex Burrows or Brendan Morrison and Luc Bourdon (and a third round pick), but it all depends on the competing offer from Detroit or San Jose.

The courting teams: 

• The Red Wings want Sundin, and they might be the most likely and intriguing fit for the aging superstar.
• Vancouver is desperate for a second-line center and has a plethora of young players that could be used as trade bait. 
• The Senators want him, but Sundin will never agree to a move to arch-nemesis Ottawa. (More on his no-trade clause in a moment.)
• The Ducks want him, but would have trouble making the salary cap work and would have to give up more than GM Brian Burke is prepared to deal.
• Montreal wants him, but would have to give up goaltender Price or Halak and they likely won’t for a possible short-term rental. 
• San Jose has also made an intriguing offer, as it is shopping Patrick Marleau and Matt Carle. 

That leaves Vancouver and Detroit to battle for the Leafs’ captain, and San Jose, depending on the Patrick Marleau factor (will they really trade Marleau for a rental player?).

It depends on who has the best offer, but more importantly, where Sundin is prepared to move to. Sundin does not want to leave Toronto. It has been his home for more than 13 years. He doesn’t want to move him and his family unnecessarily.

However, time is running out on the veteran who just turned 37, and he would like one legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup in his career.

If the offer is in place from the Red Wings, the only place Mats would likely agree to move is Detroit. The Motor City is only a four-hour drive from home (Vancouver is half a world away), and the Red Wings are the odds-on favorite to win the Cup. It also features a line-up with many of his Swedish pals, such as Zetterberg, Holmstrom and Lidstrom.

Vancouver can make the offer to entice the Leafs, but Sundin’s heart will likely only limit a move no further than down the road to Detroit.

Nonetheless, even if Mats waives the no-trade clause, there is a very good chance he will return to the Leafs next year and leave behind his rental team. This likely scenario could therefore be a price that is likely too high to pay for either Detroit or Vancouver for a short-term rental, but alas, the scent of the Stanley Cup induces wild and crazy moves by hungry teams (just ask Nashville and Atlanta).