Notable Quotable of the Day

“It’s timing, where you come in and shoot, you jam yourself a little bit. And when you’re trying to make a pass it goes over a stick. It felt exactly like where you are at the start of a season, where you’re trying to get it back, but the only way to get it back is to play games.”

- Mats Sundin on how it felt to make his long awaited return to the ice in his debut with the Vancouver Canucks. In his first game in 9 months, Sundin had 15 minutes of ice time over 24 shifts, no goals, no assists, no shots on net, one hit and 9-for-18 on faceoffs.

Who's On Santa's Nice List?

Ho ho ho! The big red guy here. You also might know me as Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or Papa C. I'm just about to head out for my annual trip around the world. Pretty sweet gig eh? Get to travel the world and only work one day a year.

Before I load up the sleigh and feed the reindeers their traditional pre-flight meal of carrots and red bull, I thought I would give you some inside information on who in the hockey world are on my nice and naughty lists.

Should I actually be preparing for Christmas instead of writing 0n this here blog. Perhaps yes. But nobody ever told Santa what to do. Except for Mrs. Claus of course. She's a real ball buster.

So without further adieu, here is a look at my nice list. The naughty list will be revealed in a later post. Once I'm done shovelling all the coal out of the North Pole's furnace to give to those guys.

Snow
Ho ho ho! You've got to love the white stuff. I'm of course referring to snow, not cocaine. It's especially nice when hockey is played in the snow and that's what the NHL will do when it holds it's now annual Winter Classic next week in Chicago. This has become one of my favourite events of the year as it falls during my after Christmas vacation. Nothing thrills me more than sitting in my nice warm room, snuggled up under the covers, being fed cookies and hot chocolate by elves, while watching millionaires play hockey in the bitter freezing cold.

Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers
The youngster is leading the NHL with goals and is having a season to remember yet will still not be voted on to the All-Star team. What an injustice! And he has to wear those hideous orange Flyers third jerseys. Having to put up with that embarassment alone puts him on the nice list.

Scott Clemmensen, New Jersey Devils
First of all, he plays for a team named the Devils which is very naughty. I mean why not go with the name Angels? Oh, it's already taken by a baseball team? Fair enough. So remember when Martin Brodeur went down with an injury and everybody predicted the end of the world in New Jersey? Well Clemmensen has been brilliant in net and kept the Devils right in the thick of things. And on top of that, he has 11 wins this season. More wins than he had the past four seasons combined!

Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks
These two teams have been playing such good, dominating hockey! What a lovely surprise! Especially for the long suffering sports fans of Boston who have had to deal with terribly awful sports teams over the past few years. It must be nice for them to finally have a winner on their hands. What's that you say? The Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox have all won championships in the last 5 years? And now they have a dominant Bruins team? If Boston area sports fans get to full of themselves, they might secure a spot on my naughty list.

Mats Sundin
Most people might think that for leaving the hockey world on edge for six months would put Sundin on my naughty list. And I'll be honest, me and the my advisors (elfs) had a long debare about the Big Swede. But ultimately Santa is as big a hockey fan as you are and is just glad this whole Sundin thing is over with. Thank you Mats! Just please don't put us through this again next off-season.

Sidney Crosby
He is the NHL's golden boy and deserves to be treated as such. Nothing further.

There's more who are on the nice list, but I drink a lot of milk to wash down all those cookies, so I have to make a quick trip to the bathroom. Make sure you check in later to see who in the hockey world goes on my naughty list!

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! There are other holidays, but it's in my Santa contract that I'm not allowed to acknowledge them. Sorry Jewish people!

Sundin Signs With Vancouver!

The Sundin Watch has finally come to an end as Mats Sundin has officially signed with the Vancouver Canucks. After six long months, I never thought this day would come. Somebody get me a box of kleenex, I'm going to get emotional.

The Canucks offered Sundin a two year, $20 million deal in the summer but it's still unclear if that is the deal he has agreed to or if it has changed at all. Though according to the Canucks' official website, no terms of the deal will be released as per club policy. A mystery eh? Get me Columbo on the phone!

"I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks,” said Sundin. “Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver opportunity was simply the best overall fit. I want to thank Mike Gillis and the entire Canucks organization for their professionalism throughout this entire process."

Of course those with the Canucks are happy to have landed The Big Swede after a six month battle with many other clubs.

“We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks,” said Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks General Manager. “Playing previously in two Canadian markets and consistently being among team and League leaders in scoring, Mats has proven that he can excel under pressure. He adds a wealth of experience, leadership and skill to the Canucks.”

Mats is excited, Mike Gillis is excited, and I'm excited. Not as much as those guys though. I'm not being paid millions of dollars or signing somebody who may help me win a Stanley Cup. I'm just happy to not have to write about this again. Now if only I could figure out a way to get somebody to pay me millions of dollars to not write about it and to give me the Stanley Cup, then maybe I'd be just as excited as those guys are. Or if somebody just got me a bag of Oreo's, that would do the trick too.

[Source]

False Alarm

So remember that whole report that was circulating where Mike Gillis, GM of the Vancouver Canucks, said that Mats Sundin would for sure make a decision on Thursday. Apparently that's not the case.

Rogers Sportsnet is reporting that Sundin's agent J.P. Barry says that he's very confident that Mats will make a decision on Friday.

TSN however says that Sundin plans to stick to his original schedule of making a decision by Christmas and no exact date has been set.

For the love of God just make up your mind already Mats. I honestly don't know how much longer I can take of this will he or won't he sign today business. I think they might need to invent some new form of psychiatry for bloggers who are frustrated with indecisive bald Swedish men. You know somewhere in Sweden there's a lady who writes a blog with an indecisive bald husband who is nodding her head in agreement with me even though it's for two very different reasons. Because let me clarify, I am of course not married to a bald Swedish man.

Story Update [6:08pm EST]: Never mind. He signed with Vancouver. Thank you Baby Jesus!

Thursday Is The Big Day

For months now, Mats Sundin has been taking his sweet time deciding on if and where to play for the 2008-09 season. People have speculated and rumouralated (not a word?) on where the big Swede would end up. By now, most of the 30 teams have been linked to Sundin.

Here's the good news. According to Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis, who recently met with Sundin's agent J.P. Barry, Mats is expected to decide if he will sign with the 'Nucks or the Rangers on Thursday.

"He's going to make a decision Thursday about the final destination," Gillis told reporters. "We re-iterated our position in all of this and formalized our offer moving forward. We feel good about our team and where we sit and what we have to offer. We will see how it plays out."

Back in the summer the Canucks made an astronomical two year, $20 million offer, though at this point in the season the deal would be prorated to be around $5 million. Last year Sundin made $5.5 million with the Leafs. That's right, he'll get paid pretty much the same amount to play for a few months as he did for all of last year. Maybe Mats is smarter than I thought.

It's unclear what the Rangers have offered Sundin but they would need to make some deals to clear up cap space to add him to their roster as they have only about $1 million available under the cap.

Even though math isn't on the Blueshirts' side, that hasn't stopped notorious radio show host/blowhard Bob McCowan from claiming that he spoke to an angel in his sleep and was told that Mats would for sure, 100%, undoubtedly sign to play in NYC.

Either way I'm glad this will be all over on Thursday. This has been going on for six months now! There have been two elections (Canadian and American) in that time. Voters were able to make up their minds on who to lead their country quicker than Sundin has been able to decide on what city to get paid millions of dollars in. That's how prolongued and ridiculous this thing has been.


[Source]

Notable Quotable of the Day

"The Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are the four teams believed to be in the final mix - a dynamic that isn't expected to change unless another team enters the sweepstakes in the eleventh hour."

- TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger on which teams are on the short list to acquire Swedish veteran free agent Mats Sundin.

More Teams Interested In Mats

The Mats Sundin saga is still going on. Even though throughout the summer we were given many deadlines and expectations for decisions. I refused to talk about Sundin until he made up his Swedish mind.

So it's begrudgingly that I report this next story.

On the weekend Mats and his agent JP Barry met with Cliff Fletcher of the Leafs and Bob Gainey of the Habs. Basically Fletcher said he had all the time in the world, but Bob Gainey was his usual gangster self and told Sundin to hurry up and stop being so indecisive. He probably said it nicer than that but you know he was thinking it.

Well, as if this things hasn't been dragged on long enough, it appears as if there's two more teams throwing itself into the Sundin mix. One of the team's has yet to be identified, but the second are the Tampa Bay Lightning.

According to the Globe and Mail, the Tampa Bay Lightning have expressed interest in the Swedish forward. Sundin was recently in Toronto to play in the Right to Play charity game and skated alongside former teammate, and current Lightning, Gary Roberts and new Tampa Bay owner Oren Koules.

Yes the Lightning. The team who has already added many many players this off season and who is already at the salary cap is looking to add the big Swede. They figure that if Jeff Halperyn can't play this year due to injury that should clear up room but not the full cost it would take to net Sundin. Where they would fit his $7-8 million a year is a mystery. Maybe one that Scooby and the Gang and their Mystery Van can solve! Ruh-roooo!

[Source]

The Sundin Saga Continues

August 1st has come and gone, and Mats Sundin has still not made up his mind. He hasn't signed with the Habs, the Canucks, or the Leafs. And according to TSN who filed this report on Tuesday, Sundin apparently hasn't even made up his mind on whether he'll even play in the NHL again.

Well it looks like somebody within the Montreal organization is just as frustrated as we all are as I found the above picture on the front page of Canadiens.com today.

It features a picture of Sundin as well as other indecisive, past his prime, old guy that people can't stand anymore, Brett Favre.

I laughed and laughed when I saw that as I had been thinking the same thing over the past few days. About how The Sundin Saga was pretty similar to the Favre drama. I guess the only exception is that Favre really wants to play for a team but even when he's offered big time contracts, Sundin still can't be bothered.

Even though Canadiens.com may have a gripe with Sundin in comparing him with Favre, I'm sure all would be forgiven if Mats does the right thing and signs with the Habs. When that will be, I don't know. Maybe I should check my magic 8 ball. *shakes magic 8 ball* Check again later?! So Mats has gotten to you too eh?

Sundin's Decision Coming Sooner Or Later

If you're a hockey fan, chances are that not a day goes by where you hear a story about what's going on with Mats Sundin.

Here at The Power Play, I've tried to avoid getting caught up in Sundinmania - not as awesome as Wrestlemania - by avoiding any Sundin rumours, speculation, or fake Eklund reports. Though I will say the prank that Four Habs Fans pulled on Monday by announcing that Sundin had signed a two year deal with the Habs was brilliant.

But with Sundin's self imposed August 1st deadline to make a decision day only days away, I figure it's time to start covering what's going on.

I for one was excited when Mats announced the deadline. I thought, good, finally this will all be resolved. All will be right with the world.

Then I read a quote from Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry in Tuesday's Toronto Sun. Barry said that Sundin's deadline isn't set in stone and "Aug. 1 is a soft deadline."

Noooooooooo!!!!!! Why do you tease me like this sweet merciful God?!

So I guess Sundin Watch will continue up all the way until he makes his decision. Which could be August 1st, or it could not. If you need me, I'll be banging my head against the wall.


Source: Toronto Sun

Sundin Watch: Day 6

We're down to the wire on Sundin Watch as the free agent frenzy begins tomorrow at 12:01pm. Will Sundin sign in Montreal, New York, Detroit, or even Toronto? Nobody really knows. But that doesn't mean I can't wildly speculate and post some of the rumours going around.

Sundin Watch: Day 6
From the looks of it, when the clock strikes 12:01pm on July 1st, Mats Sundin will not have signed with the Habs. Sundin believes that he has earned the right to test the free agent market and drive up his asking price.

Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is prepared to offer Sundin a 2 year, $16 million contract ($8 million a year) but Mats wants to see if he can get that with other teams before he commits to Montreal.

Several Sundin sources say that Mats is going to try and get that type of contract with Detroit where he would play with a bunch of other Swedes, or in New York where his fiancee Josie wants him to sign.

Gainey will be in fierce talks though with Sundin and his agent JP Barry all throughout today and right up until high noon on July 1st when the free agent frenzy begins. It is believed that if he can't land Sundin, then it's not the end of the world and has a Plan B to sign Marian Hossa.

Make sure you check The Power Play all day long on July 1st for up to the minute Sundin breaking news updates.

Sundin Watch: Day 5

We've now reached Day 5 of our hard hitting, piece of journalistic excellence, Sundin Watch.

Let's open up the file and see what our intelligence has discovered...

Sundin Watch: Day 5
Mats is still in Sweden taking time to think about if and where he wants to play next season.

A Swedish reporter named Mats Nystrom was on Montreal sports radio station CKAC on Thursday and reported that Sundin is strongly considering the Habs. But he's also strongly considering the Rangers.

Nystrom said that in the coming days, Sundin will likely ask some of his most trusted friends what they think.

One of those trusted friends is former Canadiens player Mats Naslund, who happens to be Sundin's childhood hero.

Naslund is believed to give a good reference for the city of Montreal as he had a fantastic time playing there back in the 80's.

I'll admit that while I writing that I started to get confused about who I was talking about. Mats Nystrom, Mats Naslund, and Mats Sundin. Do people in Sweden not have many other names?

That's Sundin Watch for another day. Watch out for Sundin Watch all weekend long as we inch closer and closer to the free agent frenzy on July 1st!

Sundin Watch: Day 4

Day 4 of Sundin Watch is now upon us! Rejoice!

After sorting through all the rumours, and gossip, it turns out that Bob Gainey is not in Sweden, was never in Sweden, and at this point has no plans on going to Sweden to visit Mats Sundin. Did I just break an all time record for the use of the word Sweden in one sentence? If so, awesome.

Right now Gainey is giving Mats some space. Some time to clear his head and decide what he wants to do. But according to various sources, Bobby G. and Sundin's agent J.P. Barry stay in regular contact.

Meanwhile SI.com is reporting that even though the Habs have exclusive negotiating rights with Mats, it appears as if the Leafs are getting in on the action.

They're saying that Maple Leafs (Interim) GM Cliff Fletcher is prepared to wait for Mats Sundin no longer than this weekend before the divorce is final and he makes free agent spending plans without Sundin. SI believes that the Leafs do have an offer on the table for Sundin in the form of a one year, $7 million no trade clause included contract.

So as we get closer and closer to July 1st, it should be interesting to see who lands Sundin. The Habs, Leafs, Rangers...who knows.

Stay tuned to The Power Play for extensive coverage of Sundin Watch!

Sundin Watch: Day 3

Time for Day 3 of the award winning Sundin Watch! What award did it win you ask? The Ken Beckett Blogging Excellence Award...yeah that's the ticket.

Sundin Watch: Day 3
Some more minor developments in this Mats Sundin soap opera.

Tuesday night at an event for The Gainey Foundation at Club Metropolis, Bob Gainey was asked repeatedly about the situation with Mats.

When asked about if the Rangers had a crack at Sundin before the Habs did, Gainey smiled and said, "There will be a lot of blog and media information, like we're in Sweden today, and he's seeing the New York Rangers tomorrow and Thursday he'll be in Los Angeles."

Notice when he said blogs, I wonder if he was talking about me. Gasp! I'm about as excited as a little girl.

Even though Gainey may not be meeting with the Big Swede in person it doesn't mean they haven't been in touch.

"I've spoken to him on the phone and I've spoken to his agent (J.P. Barry)," said Gainey. "He's trying to organize his ideas about what his future looks like.

"It's a window of time to present who we are, this is what it looks like and do you want to come and play? I don't know what will happen. We're interested and we just want to tell him why we are, because we think we can be good partners."

And in one final bit of interesting news, early this morning both ESPN and the NY Post were reporting that exclusive negotiating rights had been traded to the NY Rangers. Thought that has been confirmed as being false by the Canadiens organization. Jeez ESPN. Barry Melrose leaves and you're all of a sudden just making stuff up? Maybe I underestimated the power of the mullet. Maybe I should grow one to become more powerful...

That's all for Day 3 of Sundin Watch! Check in tomorrow for an exciting Day 4!

Sundin Watch: Day 2

Sundin Watch continues here on The Power Play for Day 2. And there have been some exciting developments. Well, not so exciting if you're a Habs fan. But hey it could be worse, you could be a Leafs fan. That's my argument for everything. Oh, your dog ran away? It could be worse, you could be a Leafs fan. See, it works on so many levels!

Sundin Watch: Day 2
On Monday, Rogers Sportsnet reported that the Habs weren't the first team to be given rights to negotiate with Sundin. It appears as if two weeks ago the NY Rangers were given permission to speak with the Swede. Though those talks went nowhere and on Thursday of last week, the Habs were given exclusive rights meaning the Blueshirts were out of the picture. Though this afternoon on HockeyCentral on the Fan 590, it was reported that Sundin's top choice would be to play with the Rangers next season.

Though according to hockey insider Bob McKenzie, Sundin will wait until July 1st when free agency begins and see what the Rangers, Habs, and even the Leafs have to offer.

Tonight in Montreal Bob Gainey is holding a charity event for his family's organization and is still scheduled to get on a plane to Sweden early tomorrow morning to woo Sundin and get him to sign with the Habs. Hopefully Bob doesn't party too hard tonight and fly into Sweden a little hung over. But imagine that, in Montreal one night and flying to Sweden a few hours later. Boy will his arms be tired...That one's for you George Carlin.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for Day 3 of Sundin Watch!

Sundin Watch: Day 1

With the exciting news of the Montreal Canadiens being given permission to negotiate with Mats Sundin, here at The Power Play I've decided to launch Sundin Watch.

Sundin Watch will follow the day to day news and updates regarding Mats Sundin signing with the Habs up until July 1st, when the free agency period begins.

So let's get it under way.

Sunin Watch - Day 1
Canadiens GM Bob Gainey will fly to Sweden on Wednesday to speak with Sundin and convince him to join the Habs. It should be an easy sell. Montreal has an exciting centennial anniversary season this year which will see them host the all star game and reportedly retire some more jerseys. In addition to this, with the Habs adding Alex Tanguay at the draft, Sundin joining up would make them a serious contender for the cup.

Though according to some in the media, Mats feels a little betrayed by the Leafs. He can't believe that Toronto would let their arch rival negotiate with the face of their franchise. Some believe that because of this, Sundin might wait until after the noon deadline on July 1st to sign with the Habs, to ensure the Leafs get no compensation whatsoever. Payback's a Swedish meatball as they say. Okay, no one says that. But maybe they'll start if that actually happens.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for Day 2 of Sundin Watch!