Lidstrom willing to make a call to Sundin

[CopenhagenWing 38]

Mcratton

Who'd sit in the playoffs..

or Neil

Who's extremely important to his current team.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

...worked for Doug Weight didn't it? Traded to Caorlina, WIN! GOes back to St. Louis, now traded to Anaheim, good chance to win, bet he'll re-sign with St. Louis over the summer...

But what if it doesn't work? Is Sundin going to happily return to Toronto and finish his career losing there, or will he just pull this every year? That's what I'm wondering, and I think that if it's the latter, the league needs to step in and put an end to such B.S.

[Dabura 12,232]

I wouldn't give up Flip.

Neither would I, personally.

I suppose my scenario is a little too steep, but considering the Leafs have been talking about repairing their image and rebuilding their team, I've got to think they know they'll look like morons if they let Sundin go for a reasonable price.

Unreasonable is what they'll be looking for, imo.

[Bannedforlife 403]

Where's Jason Williams when we need him to use as trade bait.

He's at home playing with his groin...

[LeftWinger 5,152]

But what if it doesn't work? Is Sundin going to happily return to Toronto and finish his career losing there, or will he just pull this every year? That's what I'm wondering, and I think that if it's the latter, the league needs to step in and put an end to such B.S.

...the league would love to be able to control it's players freedom, thankfully they have a union (association) to protect players rights and freedoms. If they didn't then players would be stuck in losing situations with no hope of winning a cup, ever...

...the NHL is nothing but a business, just as Ford, GM or Northwest Airlines. These companies would love to get rid of unions, so they can get rid of employee rights (but that is a different subject.)

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I know Sundin is a classy guy, and hes definitely the better playoff performer between he and Hossa, but for some reason Id prefer it more if we got Hossa. Maybe its because Hossa is a natural winger. Maybe its because I think playoff track records are a lot of times bulls*** and any player could break out at any moment. But more and more I think its just the fact that it irks me a little that Sundin is so set on staying with the most poorly run franchise in the entire game. Im probably just overthinking this, but Id almost question whether or not hed truly play his best game away from Toronto.

And, as a side note, would Toronto really trade Sundin to Ottawa?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

And, as a side note, would Toronto really trade Sundin to Ottawa?

Not a chance, unless Ottawa offered Foligno, Zubov, Vermette and 1st round pick PLUS some minor guy like McGrattan or McAmmond. Which Ottawa wouldnt give up. Mats isnt gonna leave Toronto, the asking price will be way too high.

[Dabura 12,232]

I know Sundin is a classy guy, and hes definitely the better playoff performer between he and Hossa, but for some reason Id prefer it more if we got Hossa. Maybe its because Hossa is a natural winger. Maybe its because I think playoff track records are a lot of times bulls*** and any player could break out at any moment. But more and more I think its just the fact that it irks me a little that Sundin is so set on staying with the most poorly run franchise in the entire game. Im probably just overthinking this, but Id almost question whether or not hed truly play his best game away from Toronto.

And, as a side note, would Toronto really trade Sundin to Ottawa?

Hossa is preferable, no question.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

Not a chance, unless Ottawa offered Foligno, Zubov, Vermette and 1st round pick PLUS some minor guy like McGrattan or McAmmond. Which Ottawa wouldnt give up. Mats isnt gonna leave Toronto, the asking price will be way too high.

If you think Fletcher wouldn't trade Sundin to Ottawa if they had the best deal, then your wrong. Fletcher wouldn't hesitate u can bet on that.

[Guest Canadian Wings]

Hossa is preferable, no question.

I'd prefer Sundin. He's bigger, and even has some grit. He's one of those guys that can circle the net with the puck and u cant budge him. Someone we sorely need.

[Dabura 12,232]

Hossa is known for being extremely difficult to get off the puck. But mostly I prefer him because of his age; he's only now heading into his prime.

Lucky is the team that locks him up long-term.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I doubt the Leafs would have any interest in Hudler....they already have Wellwood (who is a write-off this year due to injuries).

Hossa is preferable, no question.

Then you better have the paperwork ready to acquire a search warrant to find him in the playoffs.

Edited January 28, 2008 by MacK_Attack

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Then you better have the paperwork ready to acquire a search warrant to find him in the playoffs.

Good thing we already have that paperwork on file for Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Some players just need the right situation. Zetterberg took a while to come around, Datsyuk took even longer, Cleary performed phenomenally when he had been a nothing prior, even without much experience. I mean, if you look at Hossas playoff records with the teams he played on, those teams were all big time chokers (along with Detroit). Ottawa has been one of the worst in that department in the past decade, and NOBODY showed up for Atlanta. Its not like hes been dead weight on some huge scoring lines over the years.

On top of that, the entire ¨Hossa disappears in the playoffs¨thing is totally blown out of proportion. Sure hes had some off years (most players have), but in 02 he had 10 points in 12 games, and in 03 he had 16 points in 18 games. And in 04, 4 points in 7 games. No those numbers arent stellar, but you never know when a player is going to have a big game or not. Who knows - if in 04 he had played an 8th game and had a 3 point night, all of a sudden hes got 7 points in 8 games, which makes his record look that much better. I just dont buy that a player who has that much talent will just never prove his worth in the playoffs. If playoff records proved all, people would be clamoring to add Kubina and Pisani to their rosters at the deadline. Ultimately, IMO, what wins the Cup is the team that has the best chemistry, and if its just not there for a team, theyre not gonna win it all.

Thats probably ultimately why Id prefer Hossa over Sundin. Sundin is a Maple Leaf through and through and Im just not sure hed be able to gel entirely with our lineup. Hossa, on the other hand, doesnt particularly have a solid identity as a thrasher. In fact, Im willing to bet he has still has untapped potential that would come out if he were to find chemistry with the right players. For some reason, I think Detroit would be a great home for him in that regard, and I think Datsyuk centering him would be magic. Thats not to say he doesnt fit in in Atlanta, I just think Datsyuk could make Hossa a 50 goal scorer, and would make Detroits PP next to unstoppable. And against a penalty-prone Ducks team, thats a great thing to have..

Edited January 28, 2008 by YoungGuns1340

[Kp-Wings 3]

Sundin for Hudler, Samuelsson, Kopecky, Lilja, Lebda, and a conditional draft pick. Make it happen, Kenny!

Jeez... I think that just about covers all my regular, everyday whipping boys on the Wings roster. Oh, wait... I forgot about Meech.

Edited January 29, 2008 by Kp-Wings

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Sundin for Hudler, Samuelsson, Kopecky, Lilja, Lebda, and a conditional draft pick. Make it happen, Kenny!

Jeez... I think that just about covers all my regular, everyday whipping boys on the Wings roster. Oh, wait... I forgot about Meech.

May as well throw in Hartigan and Ellis while your at it!

[Uncle Danny 155]

Good thing we already have that paperwork on file for Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Some players just need the right situation. Zetterberg took a while to come around, Datsyuk took even longer, Cleary performed phenomenally when he had been a nothing prior, even without much experience. I mean, if you look at Hossas playoff records with the teams he played on, those teams were all big time chokers (along with Detroit). Ottawa has been one of the worst in that department in the past decade, and NOBODY showed up for Atlanta. Its not like hes been dead weight on some huge scoring lines over the years.

On top of that, the entire ¨Hossa disappears in the playoffs¨thing is totally blown out of proportion. Sure hes had some off years (most players have), but in 02 he had 10 points in 12 games, and in 03 he had 16 points in 18 games. And in 04, 4 points in 7 games. No those numbers arent stellar, but you never know when a player is going to have a big game or not. Who knows - if in 04 he had played an 8th game and had a 3 point night, all of a sudden hes got 7 points in 8 games, which makes his record look that much better. I just dont buy that a player who has that much talent will just never prove his worth in the playoffs. If playoff records proved all, people would be clamoring to add Kubina and Pisani to their rosters at the deadline. Ultimately, IMO, what wins the Cup is the team that has the best chemistry, and if its just not there for a team, theyre not gonna win it all.

Thats probably ultimately why Id prefer Hossa over Sundin. Sundin is a Maple Leaf through and through and Im just not sure hed be able to gel entirely with our lineup. Hossa, on the other hand, doesnt particularly have a solid identity as a thrasher. In fact, Im willing to bet he has still has untapped potential that would come out if he were to find chemistry with the right players. For some reason, I think Detroit would be a great home for him in that regard, and I think Datsyuk centering him would be magic. Thats not to say he doesnt fit in in Atlanta, I just think Datsyuk could make Hossa a 50 goal scorer, and would make Detroits PP next to unstoppable. And against a penalty-prone Ducks team, thats a great thing to have..

Wow, great post. I couldn't agree more...although I'd take Sundin in a pinch for a song and a smile Hossa, assuming the contract talks end before the trade deadline, would fit in wonderfully. He's a great second-franchise type player. He'll never be a Z or a Sundin in the leadership or personality department, but the rest of his game is lights out. I have to imagine that with the right people sitting in front of him on the depth chart...bang.