THN.com Blog: Sundin a perfect fit in Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens have negotiating rights to try and bring Sundin to the Habs next season. (Getty Images/THN alteration)
Ryan Dixon
2008-06-25 10:57:33
The Montreal Canadiens need Mats Sundin.
They need his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame up the middle to finally clog what’s been a gaping hole in their lineup for what feels like forever. The Habs need Sundin so they can finally cart out a No. 1 center who has sizable attributes beyond his heart.
Montreal needs Sundin because he’s still got tread on the tires, he’s been a durable player over the course of his career and he has two more years of top-level hockey in him. And the Habs need to pay him as such.
The Canadiens don’t need Sundin to come in and rack up 90 points in the regular season. They need him to help ensure they get back into the playoffs in a competitive Eastern Conference. They need the big Swede because, once in the playoffs, he still has the ability, for a two-month stretch, to go head-to-head with the best pivots in the league and impose his will on them.
From October to April, Sundin might not be one of the top five centers in the East. But, in the limits of a seven-game series, he’s still got the potential to line up with Jason Spezza, Mike Richards and, yes, even Sidney Crosby, and emerge as the better player. For a finite moment in time – like one spring playoff run – he still has that ability.
The Canadiens need Sundin for his big-game experience and prowess. Large as he is, Sundin is the type of player whose presence tends to grow late in games. When defensemen ratchet up the physical play, when loose pucks are harder to find and when offensive zone space is difficult to annex, Sundin can be a difference-maker.
Sundin needs the Canadiens because he’s got game left and a Cup to chase. Fabulous as his post-playing life will be, it would still be a shame to enter into it prematurely. Sundin needs the Habs because, with him, they climb into the level of a legit contender.
He needs to remember there’s a precedent for this kind of Original Six swap; a man he’s often been compared to throughout his time in Toronto is fellow big man Frank Mahovlich, who came to Montreal via Detroit and found the bleu, blanc et rouge to his liking - especially after winning two Cups in his new home.
What else does Sundin need to know?
Ryan Dixon is a writer and copy editor for The Hockey News magazine, the co-author of the book Hockey's Young Guns and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Wednesdays and his column, Top Shelf, appears every second Friday.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
thedoooch (Posted 2008-06-30 08:23:07)
I think the best chance for Sundin to have success and win is with the RED WINGS!
Matt Roberts (Posted 2008-06-29 15:19:06)
If Mats goes to Montreal I hope he gets hurt, the habs miss the playoffs and the leafs kick their ass all season long. Hey Mats, remember what Borje Salming said. He regretted his decision to leave Toronto and chase a cup. Retire a leaf!
Chris Fletch (Posted 2008-06-28 16:45:02)
Sundin and the Habs are the most perfect fit. Both Habs and Leafs know it, and I suspect Sundin does too. He's just giving it some time to sink in with Leaf fans. Sundin's agent probably did not say "no" when Fletcher asked him whether it was futile for Leafs to do this exclusive with Gainey.
Look for annoucement Monday: "Sundin signs with Canadiens". 1 year, plus a one-year option for Sundin.
MatstobeaHab (Posted 2008-06-28 16:39:22)
Hey, Kev, ever heard of the Olympics? As in "Gold". Ol' Mats is a horse, plain and simple.
HabStew (Posted 2008-06-26 15:23:05)
Has there EVER been a captain of either Toronto or Montreal traded directly to the other team before? Great players in the past who have played for both teams, like the big M, played for at least 1 other team in between. Sundin is a gifted player and would help any team, but it would sure take a lot to get used to a Toronto captain wearing the red-white & blue. I'll believe it when I see it.
Kevinhabs (Posted 2008-06-26 12:26:53)
How does this guy know that Sundin can still be a factor in a 7-game playoff series? He hasn't played in a single playoff game since 2004. That's almost 5 years ago. And with his age factoring in, I doubt he would be as big a factor in the playoffs as Ryan Dixon says.
Leaffan (Posted 2008-06-26 12:13:19)
Just for the record.. Anyone who say's Sundin isnt a good player anymore, or wont help out there team , is either smoking really good chronic, or hasnt watched him play. Sundin would make any team A better team> any of them! Montreal however getting him i dont like. Why? I HATE THE HABS!!! HABS SUCK!!!!! BOOO HABS... .GO LEAFS GO !!!!!
Jordan (Posted 2008-06-26 11:21:09)
Selanne will never ever EVER leave the Ducks again. He has two options, A) Retire, or B) Sign back with Anaheim for about 1/4 of his worth. I think everyone realizes that by now.
Nicholas (Posted 2008-06-26 11:12:16)
Sundin is too slow for the speedy young Habs, and not worth half of what he is demanding. Its blasphemy to even think of "Chunky Soup" in a Canadiens jersey. If Bob wants to spend big money, he should go after Selanne and Avery. He could probably sign both of them for the same amount The "Make Beliefs" ex-captain is demanding. And Selanne has a recent cup victory on his resume....and we all know what Sundin has won during his overrated career, nothing. The Canadiens are contenders now, they should focus on getting Kostitsyn signed and adding a couple of small pieces to put them over the top, but Sundin isn't the answer. Go Habs Go!
Brad Gooding (Posted 2008-06-26 10:47:28)
You've got my vote. Nice blog.
another blackhawks fan (Posted 2008-06-26 10:40:49)
I agrea with Blackhawks who say chiocago would be a good fit
mas (Posted 2008-06-26 10:38:47)
detroit would be better because then he could be with fellow swed Lidstrom and have a huge chance of winning a cup
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-06-26 10:14:00)
As far as I'm concerned, Montreal and Mats wouldn't be a bad fit. He's a pretty low maintenance guy who puts up points and would take some of the pressure of the rest of that team. Better fit there than here in Detroit. I like him on the Wings, but I like the development of the young guys here better. HabsWMTPO, yes, we all know how Price reacts to pressure. At every other level, he has won. It will take him a year or two, but he'll be huge in the playoffs before the end of his career. Toronto has no such player on their roster currently. The Leafs Cup drought goes to 50 years, at least.
Monte Allan Pritchard (Posted 2008-06-26 09:16:14)
Sundin is not a winner and could very well be a poison to the fragile young Habs. Save the money Bob!
Blackhawk Fan (Posted 2008-06-26 08:47:17)
I think everyone has forgotten that Chicago may be the perfect fit for Sundin. Chicago missed the playoffs by 3 points and lacked in leadership & powerplay strength. Sundin fills in nicely for Chicago in both roles and the Blackhawks need his presence. Playing with Toews & Kane will give Sundin a chance of in the playoffs and beyond.
Bayfield_ca (Posted 2008-06-26 08:06:48)
If you Laff Fans think that Toronto is going to tank the season for the draft pick think about the Laffs screwing up and missing number one LOL
Robert Ames (Posted 2008-06-26 07:51:16)
Hey Stef, Wishful thinking on my part, no self respecting franchise player would want to play down here anyway. There are to many distractions, and the fan base here is great if you are either from Toronto, New York, Boston , Philly, or Montreal. The best part about the drama of where Mats goes, is the possibility of him playing for the Habs. The first game next season in Toronto would be a one to watch. So lets hope that he stays north where hockey is appreciated.
robert dewitt (Posted 2008-06-26 05:12:58)
hi mats please come to montreal
Mark Kuwabara (Posted 2008-06-26 03:57:24)
Leafs fan- I don't like the leafs but I love your realism
Joe Willix- You have an awesome point and sorry about the Habs comeback that night. Best that was amazing hockey.
Habs dont make playoffs- You gotta chill man. You just seem like an angry leafs fan jealous of the potential of the Habs. Price cant handle pressure man, hes a rookie in Montreal hes just lucky hes not french. If you cant do the math they had a 1/8 shot at cup for being the youngest team in the playoffs. By the way, who do you cheer for or your a hockey fan by hating the Habs. Oh and yah GO HABS GO.
Leafs Fan (Posted 2008-06-26 02:24:23)
Do it Mats. We're going for the draft pick this year.
Eldrick Woods (Posted 2008-06-26 02:22:01)
Alot of Hippie Lettuce references tonite... I for one really really appreciated You putting Sundins image in a Hab Sweater... you see I subscribe to THN but have never read an article. It reminds me of the old days when in my early 20's I very frequently purchased a publication with the bunny-ears emblem on the cover, and similar to THN of today, looked at it only for the pictures- in both cases images move fantasy along...perhaps the Canadiens need to put together a good package of offensive youth/along with CPrice and ship em to NJ for hometowner Brodeur- 4 yrs at 5.2 mll remaining under contract- and sip from the Cup at least once more. Shine on the Sundin and Hossa talk.
Joe Willix (Posted 2008-06-26 00:33:10)
I think you're ALL smoking something. "The Habs are so close..." You know who's close to winning a Cup days before July 1 free agency? No one!!! The Senators were so close, and look where they ended up. Edmonton and Calgary were so close, and look where they ended up. As a Rangers fan I was dusting off the spot on my mantle where the Cup was going to go when they signed Gomez and Drury, and look where that ended up. You all need to slow your roll and realize the only team that's "so close to winning the Cup" is Pittsburgh, and that's only if Bettman's still commissioner next year.
habs wont make the play-offs (Posted 2008-06-25 22:22:46)
The habs are so close to being champs? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA.they can only beat one team in the play-offs. Even the B's are getting stronger. I doubt very much they'll even be able to beat them!!! Boston was missing 2 of their top 6 forwards and they pushed the habbies to the brink without them. Till montreal learns how to beat ANY other team in the play-offs.......expect the same result.2nd round sweep. Sundin hasnt done anything in his career to suggest he could carry a team to the promised land. Gary Roberts almost single-handedly carried the laffs before. the year before sundin went goalless in his last 20 games. Some leadership abilities. Now this season he heats up AFTER the TD. The coach should tell them next season..."you're already out of the play-offs.There's no pressure on you. We wont make it in anyways". AFTER that is said......watch them produce like there's no tomorrow. Its all in their little chicken heads. No pressure on the habs next season anyways. And we all know how one Mr.Price reacts to pressure.
Logan (Posted 2008-06-25 20:56:53)
i love sundin
if he went to the habs i would cheer for him and want him to win
hes been so much for the flailing leafs that he deserves this. the habs are so close to being champs, they need the seasoned vet to lead em on.
koivu cant do it, hes a punk
who else is there hamrlik? lawl
a leafs fan would hope
stef (Posted 2008-06-25 20:45:05)
That's so funny!!! Mats to Florida what on earth are you smoking????well I guess you americans don't know much about hockey so let the `frenchies`` tell you how it's going to go. Sundin to the habs and 2 CUPS IN A ROW,GO HABS GO!!!
robert ames (Posted 2008-06-25 20:20:01)
Hey you frenchies, I would laugh my American butt of if Mats signs with the Panthers!.... Advent golfer, change of pace from the cold, and a lot of fun in the sun.
rob (Posted 2008-06-25 19:10:38)
sundin is awesome, whatever team he plays on he will be great
Off-season (Posted 2008-06-25 18:33:58)
I am sick and tired of two things. One, I am sick and tired of people labelling Mats Sundin as a traitor IF he bolted for Montreal. He's given his all to leafland and then some. He was loyal to them all these years, choosing to stay when on-ice turmoil clouded them team. I bet if anyone was in his position, they would have likely left Toronto the first chance they had, being unloyal to their team and the fans as well, not Mats. However, the second thing I am sick of is the patience that leaf management has with him. They should have went to him right after their last game and said, "Mats, make a decision on your future in one month." If grampy Cliff had've said that to him, a decision would have been made and the leafs could've moved on with their rebuilding process. Again however, with his no-trade clause along with the other four members of the infamous "Muskoka five", Cliff and co. have been handcuffed with the roster moves that junior made which impede's the rebuilding process.
habs wont make the play-offs (Posted 2008-06-25 18:10:52)
Sundin to the Toilets? I dont know man.....he would go down as the biggest traitor in Maple Laffs history. He coulda went there at the TD but refused....now he might go there? Hopefully McCabe shoots a puck at Sundins neck if he indeed goes there.
Eric (Posted 2008-06-25 16:38:35)
Craig, your line combinations are wrong, you've got right wingers playing on the left wing and vice-versa. I think the lines would look like this - Tanguay Sundin Kovalev - Kostitsyn Plekanec Kostitsyn - Higgins Koivu Latendresse (Selanne?) -Begin Lapierre Kostopolous
Jeff (Posted 2008-06-25 16:35:54)
I, as a leaf, fan hope Sundin stays in TO. He has been performing miracles year-in and year-out and he does have a few more years left in him for sure!
Why on earth would he want to join the Habs when he could be surrounded by a really solid team (and half the Swedish olympic team) in Detroit? Forget Montreal or NY Mats... Stay in TO or go to Detroit.
Jean Beliveau (Posted 2008-06-25 16:19:38)
Good riddance! By reading some of the comments posted for this article, can you tell those Leafs' fans are absolutely jealous... Hell, I'd even push it to say that they regret to have sign for a salary cap!!! With all the lame wingers that Sundin had to play with during his tenure in Toronto (the best being Mogilny, but after that...Hoglund, Antropov, Ponikarovsky, Berezin, etc.!), last year he managed to pile up 78 pts in 76 games with a +17...WOW! And he did all that playing for a terrible team that once again missed the playoffs and lacked direction in the future!!! Hey Mats, come to Montreal. We've got great young (A.Kostitsyn, Latendresse, Higgins) and veteran wingers (Kovalev and Tanguay) waiting for you to come. You won't have to worry about dumping the puck and chasing. Carbonneau does not privilege that style of play. Oh! One more thing: we are celebrating our 100th anniversary this year and we'll be hosting the All-Star Game? Wanna come? With you, the Cup is within our reach!
Brian (Posted 2008-06-25 15:48:44)
I hope he goes to Montreal, they will be that much older and slower. Enough about the Canadiens, they stink!
Jalco (Posted 2008-06-25 15:40:35)
Bob Allisat, Lazy...selfish ? Have you ever watched Sundin play?
Fred Bartsch (Posted 2008-06-25 14:16:28)
AS a long time RANGERS fan, I sure hope that Montreal signs Sundin. Sundin to the Rangers, Christ I HOPE NOT! He is the last person the Rangers should be going after, another OLDER player on the down side of his career. That kind of thinking is exactly what has put the Rangers in the NO WIN position to begin with. I waited 38 years for the Rangers won a Stanley Cup, and here we are 14 years later and we are no closer to winning it any time soon. If the Rangers were to go after Sundin, then you can forget Sather "Promise" of building a team thru draft and picking smartly young talented players in free agency. Personally I still don't haven't bought into Sather's "Promise" totally, but I'm willing to give him time. How much is another story.
Maxime (Posted 2008-06-25 14:05:46)
Great article! Don't forget that if Sundin faces off against the biggest players, Koivu is free to face 2nd rate opponents, and Koivu can handle a puck when he has room to skate. Expect his highest scoring season if Sundin comes and fills the no1 centre spot. And to those jealous Toronto locals who cast the blame on Sundin for last season's demises, you have to admit something. He was the best player on your team. Toskala was good in the last run, but Sundin was the best player overall all season long. And can Mats really be blamed for a 41 year drought (1967?)?
Maxim (Posted 2008-06-25 13:32:54)
Rangers1, I'm a Bruins fan but I agree, Mats and Jagr would be a deadly big bodied combo. Sudin clearing that space for Jagr to do his magic. Word is if the Habs get Sudin, Higgins goes to the leafs. I'd still rather see Sudin stay with the Leafs.
NooB (Posted 2008-06-25 13:15:13)
Me thinks there needs to be a "C" on the shoulder if this is going to happen.
jan (Posted 2008-06-25 13:10:05)
the Habs could sign him for some $$, but not an outrageous amount. load his contract with bonuses; make him earn the bonus $$. he was part of the problem with the Leafs.
Craig (Posted 2008-06-25 12:42:42)
Sundin would be a good fit for the habs for a year if the price is not to high, 5 million for a year and load it with bonuses. what a terror the habs could become in the east, with 4 lines.
Higgins Sundin S. Kostisyn
A.Kostisyn Plekanec Kovalev
Latendresse Koivu Ryder
Begin Lapierre Kostopoulos
Look out for the fire power that would come out of these 4 lines
(Posted 2008-06-25 12:23:24)
In my opinion, the Rangers, with or without Sundin, will not be winning a Cup anytime soon, and certainly not before Montreal.
Rangers1 (Posted 2008-06-25 12:15:38)
What else does Sundin need to know? He needs to know that Montreal is not the place for him.....New York is.......and when he signs with the Rangers on July 1st, we will be that mich closer to the Cup.....Mats & Jagr will be awesome together......
Numme17 (Posted 2008-06-25 12:06:40)
Great article. My comment is a bit unrelated, however let's just make one thing clear....Jason Spezza is an aweful playoff performer! Terrible! He falls into the same category as Mike Comrie, Rob Schremp and the old Mike Ribeiro. Very skilled, but no heart!
Bob Allisat (Posted 2008-06-25 11:55:58)
Look, Sundin and his lazy ass, selfish attitude was part of the problem in Toronto. As if making the play-offs without a hope in hell of winning the whole show were important. The last thing Carboneau and Gainey should do is move him over to Montreal and open the door to all that Toronto Maple Manure. Let him go to the Rangers. Who seem to appreciate over paid and past prime "talent" with significant back side costs. Please Bob, Have mercy Guy: don't do it! He's not that good and he's too old. Heck you already got one nag on the squad with Koivu... yas don't need two. Spend the money on youth, on prospects, on anything but Sundin!
Alicia (Posted 2008-06-25 11:38:51)
I think the Canadiens can become a scary good team next year if Price doesn't play like he did against the Flyers. I picked them to win the Cup last year until the Flyers faced them in the second round and then I had to get that out of my head and root for the Flyers. They are a really fast team and if you pass the puck through center ice they can steal it so quickly and skate to the other end and score a goal. As much as I despise them and wish they weren't a good team I think they will be a big contender next season and just hope the Flyers will be too.
Gabe Raymond (Posted 2008-06-25 11:03:19)
That image burns my retinas.
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