[Professional Blog] Suddenly Sundin

Wouldnt you love to be Mats Sundin today? The massive smooth skating Swede is on top of the hockey world, capable of commanding any salary he desires. I dont buy this poppycock about him not being entirely sure hell return. The centreman was one of very few bright spots in Toronto last season, so I think hes just being coy. Maybe all those years of media attention in the centre of the universe have swelled his already enormous noggin. His options? Stick around the T.O. and lace em up with newly acquired Maple Leafs superstar talent Jeff Finger playoff star of the USHLs Green Bay Gamblers in 1999. Ship off to rival Montreal or New York for a couple of years for whats estimated to be about seven or eight million a year. Or kick it with his Swedish brethren in Van-city theres five of them as of right now, but Naslund is on the UFA list to the tune of $10 million a year. Sundin is entering the twilight of his career; those massive pistons pumping his six-foot-four frame up and down the ice at the ACC wont last forever. And with the end approaching, hes got to be looking at getting a Stanley Cup ring. So which team, of those who have approached him, stands a better chance of winning the Cup this year? None of them. Theres lots of teams with money to spend, but only some who have the pieces to put it all together so it ends up they are celebrating come June. Neither Montreal, Toronto, New York or Vancouver are in that position. But Detroit is. The Wings still have some cap space believe it or not after picking up Marion Hired Gun Hossa for a season. And its hard, following the post season that was, to imagine they arent favourites to repeat as champs next year. And adding Sundin to the Wings lineup gives them a Smrgasbord of Swedish talent. As a side note, we cant mention the Red Wings without mentioning Newfoundlands own Dan Cleary. What will the implications be for him with more forwards to feed from Detroits ice-time trough? Something to think about.