Campbell's Cuts: Alfredsson wants Sundin in Ottawa
Daniel Alfredsson and Mats Sundin have been at the center of the Ottawa-Toronto rivalry since it started budding.
Ken Campbell
2008-01-28 13:27:07
ATLANTA – If Daniel Alfredsson had his way, his countryman and friend Mats Sundin would be joining him for the Ottawa Senators’ Stanley Cup run this spring.
When asked during all-star weekend which player, in his mind, would be a better fit for the Senators at the deadline, Sundin or Peter Forsberg, Alfredsson was both lightning quick and emphatic with his response.
“Sundin, obviously,” Alfredsson said immediately. “Oh yeah.”
Despite the fact the two are the focal points of one of the better rivalries in hockey, they are still good friends. They have played many times together for the Swedish national team and shared the experience of winning Olympic gold at the Winter Olympics in Turin. Alfredsson knows Sundin enough to tell that, given a legitimate opportunity, Sundin could be a difference maker for a team on the quest for a Cup.
“I just know how desperate he is to win,” Alfredsson said when he explained his choice. “He would love to win a Stanley Cup, I know that for sure. We’ll see what happens. Of course, Mats has to want to come, but obviously we’re one of the better teams.”
In fact, Alfredsson half-jokingly acknowledged he had told Senators management of his desire to play with Sundin and said he and Sundin have joked about the possibility in the past.
Alfredsson’s observations on Sundin are in contrast to the ones Sundin has expressed publicly. He steadfastly maintains that the prospect of winning the Cup with a team for which he has played only two months is not a prospect that particularly appeals to him. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay in Toronto to try to win here, as far-fetched and delusional as that thought process might be. The fact of the matter is the Leafs are a mess on the ice and by the time someone comes in to straighten out the product, Sundin will be too old to contribute to the effort.
The Senators are one team that would be equipped to make a Sundin deal, should the Maple Leafs captain agree to waive his no-trade clause before Feb. 26. The Senators have some very good young players in their lineup and in their organization that would provide the Leafs with the kind of return they desperately need for Sundin.
Much has been made recently by those who scoff at the possibility of Toronto and Ottawa making a trade and how upset Leaf fans would be to see Sundin hoist the Stanley Cup with their hated rival. But if the Senators were to present the Leafs with the best offer, they’d be betraying themselves and their fans by taking such a myopic view of things.
The addition of Sundin would give the Senators a center ice corps of Jason Spezza, Sundin and Mike Fisher and would not only give the Senators the offensive depth they lacked when Spezza and Dany Heatley were overwhelmed in the Stanley Cup final, it would also allow Fisher to devote his efforts exclusively to a shutdown role, one at which he excels.
Clearly, the only way the Leafs are going to get Sundin to agree to a trade is if they convince him it is truly the best thing for the organization. And if he’s going to be dealt, Ottawa is as good a place as any if he wants a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup.
SORRY, NO MORE FOR ERIC
In the NHL’s defense, the league has worked very hard to connect with its fans and expose its young stars in an effort to get hockey into the consciousness of the U.S. fan base.
But old habits do die hard. Here we were at the All-Star Game and Eric Staal was named the most valuable player. (Rick Nash was jobbed out of the award for the second straight year, but I digress.) In the middle of the dressing room, the Carolina Hurricanes media relation’s guy cut off questions and denied several other major news outlets the opportunity to speak with Staal, citing he had already answered enough questions.
My word. Last time I checked, the Hurricanes weren’t exactly conjuring up images of the New York Yankees. After winning the Stanley Cup two years ago, the Hurricanes have struggled to remain competitive and are not exactly a household name. You’d think they’d welcome the chance to showcase one of their young players whenever possible.
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Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-02-06 09:30:15)
Wow. I must have read a different article than some of you, because I didn't see anything in that article saying anything bad about the Raleigh/Durham area, nor saying anything bad about the fans there. I didn't see anything suggesting it was Ken Campbell who was cut off, either. I'm sure Eric Staal had already answered a ton of questions, but that is what the All-star game is for, promoting the league and sport. (I'm a fan of Erics, just in case someone decides to rip me for "hating".) It would be huge for Sundin to go to the rival Sens, but I'd rather see him come to Detroit. Better fit, better odds of winning. (Better goaltending in the "D", you see.)
Jeff (Posted 2008-02-03 23:38:55)
honestly, I don't think it shoulda been Staal or Nash. Imagine what the score would have been without Nabokov's shutout in the 2nd period. It would have been a blowout with none of the drama of the final period. Nabby for MVP!
BEN (Posted 2008-02-02 17:37:13)
I agree with MATT. WHY does anyone care about that Staal comment, he's a great player, yeah, and Campbell shouldn't have said all that, but the fact of the matter is BIG DEAL! Did no one else see that BIG article about trading the captian of Toronto to Ottawa, one of hockey's biggest rivalries after Calgary and Edmonton, COME ON PEOPLE, get on topic here! Thats like a trade between the Red Sox and Yankees.
Matt (Posted 2008-01-31 20:37:18)
Holy i thought more fans would be up in arms againest Ken's idea of sending Sundin to Ottawa, but itseems their more pissed about the Eric Stall issue...Oh and to TERRY about the loser isn't worthy of MVP back in the 2003 playoffs the Conn Symth went to Giguere even thou his team lost the stanley cup... and who really cares it was only the all-star game.
Rémi Bourget (Posted 2008-01-31 18:23:15)
That's never gonna happen in a thousand year! You wouldn't trade a 4th line to a divisionnal rival, so imagine a concession player!
Darryl Styres (Posted 2008-01-30 16:53:02)
I love Sundin as a Leaf but please trade Sundin to Ottawa. Give him a chance to win a Cup. Give Canada a chance to bring the Cup back home. Maybe Fletcher can get a good draft pick or young prospect in return, or a solid two way player and cash, maybe all of the above. We love you Sundin but go win a Cup for yourself, you deserve it!
Jeff Cray (Posted 2008-01-30 11:32:44)
In reference to Nate, Ottawa will not give up on eof their snipers for an overaged washed up player in Mats Sundin. Fisher will not be going anywhere. Maybe we can send you Emery and McAmmond for Mats.
Robert Waxman (Posted 2008-01-30 08:35:01)
Mr. Campbell, I had the good fortune to have access to the East locker room after the game and was seated right next to Eric Stall. Eric could not have been more accessable than he was. I watched him speak to all who were there and after all media was gone, he spoke to any and all fans who approached him. Next time you should make sure you do the right thing and attend the press conference like the rest of the media.
John Kuhn (Posted 2008-01-29 17:05:57)
Mr. Campbell, I found your posting about Eric Staal to be completely unprofessional and unnecessary. In a league that is striving to promote itself you found a way to try to tear it down with your personal attacks, as well as negative comments about the Carolina Hurricanes organization as a whole. As a fan of the NHL and Carolina Hurricanes I felt slighted by what you wrote. Please take the time to understand the meaning behind your writing before future posts.
Larry Parker (Posted 2008-01-29 16:33:35)
The first issue is Eric Staal getting the MVP. 2 goals (one game-tying) and a terrific effort behind the net to help assist the game winning goal deserves the MVP more than a hat trick on a losing team. Look, Nash's goals were nice, but with D not being played, the normal accolades going for a hat trick aren't in play here. Secondly, surely you were smart enough to know there was a podium available. This is the first time since Staal has joined the league that I have seen one article like this. In Raleigh he is quick to sign, speak and make appearances when asked. I would think it's no different on the road. Thirdly, say what you will about this team since winning the cup. At least back up why they have been inconsistent (mainly injuries). I would think an apology from you should be on its way.
Laura Hamlyn (Posted 2008-01-29 16:30:33)
Hurricanes fans could not be more proud of Eric Staal's accomplishments at the All-Star game! Onward and upward, 'Canes fans.
Nate (Posted 2008-01-29 14:38:45)
I'm a leafs fan, and I know that the Leafs nation would have to be handed one Ottawa's top snipers to be satisfied with trading away Mats. Last years playoffs many leafs fan prayed "Anyone but Ottawa" and I think that watching Sundin help them win the cup would be hard to watch.
Rob (Posted 2008-01-29 11:01:43)
It's garbage like this Campbell piece that really make me want to cancel my THN subscription. Im willing to bet the truth is that Mr Campbell missed the boat while Staal was on the podium and he tried to play catch-up with his Mickey mouse jornalism style by stopping by late. Trashing a franchise and making degrading comments about a team's area they play in is just unprofessional and classless no matter how you slice it. Ken Campbell took a great story and a great player from Sunday's All-Star game and twisted it into an opportunity for him to slander an organization for a previous rejection he received to a previous article. Life is all about choices Ken, and you made a poor one and it's time to be a man and admit it in a future column.
John Gallagher (Posted 2008-01-29 10:15:02)
Dear Mr. Campell,
While I normally am an admirer of your work, I found your comments against Eric Staal and the Hurricanes media relations out of line.
Differences such as these are best settled between the parties rather than in a public forum. You have succeeded in making a great day for Eric Staal and the Hurricanes into one of frustration. However, the positive events of the day will surely overshadow your blog post.
I hope that an apology will be or has already been sent to both Eric Staal and the Hurricanes media relations as I am sure you are a man of character and the posting on your blog was made out of anger and frustration and not meant to harm the integrity of Eric Staal, the Hurricanes, and the Hockey News.
Part of your job should be to help promote the game and not seek opportunities to tear it down, especially when it comes to non-traditional markets.
Kathy Digeso (Posted 2008-01-29 09:30:32)
It alway annoys me when writers talk about the Carolina Hurricanes, the fans here as just a passionate as anywhere else. We did not pick the MVP, why the sour grapes. All of our players are always ready and willing to talk to fans and press, next time follow the rules.
Christopher Moore (Posted 2008-01-28 19:14:29)
Just because you didn't get the chance to interview Eric gives you no right to Belittle The Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal or anyone else. You had plenty of time to ask him questions while he was at the podium and the media relations guy for the Hurricanes had every right to cut things off. Also, I don't know where you have been but as far as Eric's publicity goes, look on the cover of NHL 08 and the NHL also has him doing several commercials as well.
The Acid Queen (Posted 2008-01-28 19:10:31)
I'm sorry, but scoring the game-tying goal and setting up the game-winner far outranks scoring a hat trick when determining who the most valuable player of a game is. Nash didn't get robbed, so all y'all whiners need to just put on your big-kid pants and get over it.
Terry (Posted 2008-01-28 17:53:52)
Rick Nash MVP, NOWAY! You don't give it to the losing team (last year was a joke giving it to Briere, THEY LOST, what is so valuable about a player on a losing team). Eric Staal deserved it and was the better player throughou the game. It's all about Nash, he is not a team player.
P.S. Don't need to hear about the Raleigh market in this article (Raleigh now the 49 largest metro area and GROWING). This market is excellent and so is the fan base (WILL ONLY GET BETTER IN THE NEXT 3-5 years).
Gene Dillman (Posted 2008-01-28 17:09:35)
It is too bad that you got your nose out of joint when you ignored the availibility of Eric Staal to the media in the many ways prior to this locker room incident. Be fair.....he had already answered tons of questions in the NHL provided media events and was the ONLY player left in the locker room when the questions were cut off in a non-scheduled media. He did have a new bride and family waiting for him and was the last player left and had yet to clean up from the game. If you think you deserve special treatment apply for it from the NHL but don't take it out on a 23 year old. Follow the rules and you will have your time. You have demonstrated a pettiness that might have revealed your true character. 'Enough said!
Fred Bartsch (Posted 2008-01-28 16:48:21)
As a Rangers fan, and listening to the All-Star game, (I don't get VERSUS)
E. Staal getting the MVP, PLLEASE! R. Nash was and is the MVP.
Kevin Clark (Posted 2008-01-28 16:01:39)
I hope you're getting the beating you deserve for taking out the hatchet on
the Carolina Hurricanes. Between on the ice post-game, the podium, and the
locker room scrum, I'm quite sure Eric Staal was available for quite a while
for you to get what you needed from him after the All-Star Game.
Kaspar (Posted 2008-01-28 15:13:08)
There are lots of stories of a league that supposedly craves exposure doing dumb things;
Brian Leetch night began at 6:30 Pm instead of original 7PM planned start because of Atlanta TV obligations. Hundreds of New Yorkers who do not live on Manhattan had to battle through NY City traffic and arrived after ceremony started. NHL 1 Leetch fans 0
also, transplanted New Yorkers like myself got frozen out as NHL center ice did not show the ceremony, nor did the Ranger website provide stream. The Game was sold out 3 months ago, MSG broadcast game locally and had their dollars. NHL 2 Leetch fans 0
Stephen Franchetto (Posted 2008-01-28 14:42:33)
The NHL should have a stipulation outlawing this type of behaviour. It is only with all 30 teams cooperation will this league rise anywhere near the top.
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