Two oldies still goodies?

We're coming to the end of the Mats Sundin saga. Well, at least it appears that way. Sundin's agent said the player has narrowed his choices to Vancouver and the Rangers, and a choice could be made by the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Denver Post reports that Peter Forsberg wants to return to the Avalanche in time for the playoffs.

---John Vogl

Online Surveys & Market Research

Comments

[jan]

I agree with John and Mike K.
These guys think they can miss training camp and a good part of the season, then show up just in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately, another player or players who showed up to training camp, played well all year long either gets traded, sent to the AHL, or released because suddenly a Sundin or a Niedermayer or a Telanne or a Forsberg decides they want to play. So, who's going to be the Canucks player who loses out because Sundin finally made up his mind to play.

[John]

Players should have to be on the roster before January 1 to be eligible for playoff action. Since Sundin has never done this before, he gets a pass, but Forsberg does this all the time and it should not be allowed.

[Mike K.]

Whats with this trend of recycling has beens or never will be's? How can these players sit out all year then come back just in time for the playoffs with a good conscience? They take a position or roster spot away from someone who has fought all year for his team. If they win the Championship they get their names on a trophy they do not deserve and then get a hefty pay raise to play part time next year? This is B.S. and hopefully the NHL will do something about it, its getting ridiculous now... especially for Sundin waiting to see who will make the playoffs...join a team and help the team although you never were a difference maker anyway. There should be a mandatory number of games played for a played to be on the playoff roster for any team unless that player is a minor leaguer or rookie.

[Chad]

tim, I knew what you were saying and wasn't really disagreeing with you. Just clarifying. And ripping the Rangers, which never gets old.

Let's hope for a win tonight. Unfortunately, I'll be missing this one. Stupid firm Christmas parties.

[tim]

Chad,
Sincerest apologies, that entire post was tounge in cheek.

[SabresFan in DC]

Who cares! Forsberg's time has come and gone. He WAS a great player, but his career has been cut short by injuries. And I'm tired of hearing about Sundin. It's getting as bad as the Farve situation this summer. He's not going bring the cup to whatever team he decides to play for.

[SueInVA]

My first thought was "Who cares?"

I have to agree with a prior comment. These older players should show up for training camp and the first few months of games. This "Oh, they will save us" bit just doesn't wash for me. Didn't work last year for Anaheim, did it?

[Chad]

tim, I have no problem with spending money, per se. What I think is a joke is the idea that a team can just slap together a bunch of splashy free agent signings and expect themselves to be a good team. That has consistently been the Rangers' M.O. under Sather. I don't know how much more evidence he needs to realize that it doesn't work. I guess he'll keep banging his head against the wall with the same results.

By the way, the Rangers are the biggest mirage in the NHL. They're terrible at even strength (only the Islanders are worse in the Eastern Conference), they're 23rd on the PP and 13-11-1 in games not decided by shootout. Unfortunately for the Rangers, the playoffs are played almost exclusively at even strength and they won't have the benefit of the shootout. Looks like the Rangers may not even make their usual 2nd round exit this year. They won't be around for it.

[tim]

Chad,

What are you talking about mediocre? Spending money wins Cups remember?

[Don H]

These over-the-hill old guys just love missing the rigors of training camp and the first months of the season so they can climb on an easy gravy train in the final months when GM's are starting to reach for the panic button.

[Macks]

Forsberg especially just wants to play in playoffs and not in the normal season.
Reminds me of all the NFL players holding out of training camp because they hate to do all the work.. how convenient.

[Dave]

Oh, and Forsberg, give it up. I'm sorry, you were great, but it's over.

[Dave]

Ah yes, the Rangers. The graveyard of NHL players.

I'm getting extremely sick of hearing about Mats Sundin. The guy is a good hockey player, but is he really worth all the hype being poured onto him? I don't think so. It's not like he's going to be a huge difference maker on a team, at least in my opinion. Hopefully he'll just hurry up and sign with New York for more than he's worth, and it won't work out and the Rangers once again will taste the bitterness of defeat as they are defeated early in the playoffs.

[Chad]

Can we really be surprised that the most irresponsible organization in the NHL, the NY Rangers, are said to be Sundin's preferred destination? You have $1.37 mil in cap space and...you're going to sign the guy to a $5 mil deal?! The NY newspapers are saying the team is trying to trade Rozsival (5.0 mil) or Redden (6.5 mil). What team in their right mind is going to trade for those guys when Redden has five more years at that salary and Rozsival has three more years at his inflated salary? The better question is which team is Bettman going to make fall onto the sword to get Sundin on Broadway?

Just another mercenary going to play for the Rangers. I actually find myself feeling bad for Rangers fans after Sather took that once-proud organization and made them the most expensive-yet-mediocre team in hockey. Way to go, Glen, keep signing those free agents with no regard for chemistry. Really, you'll keep lucking into undrafted goaltenders who turn into superstars. What an idiot.