Sundin and the Canadiens, Kaberle, Smith, Thrashers, Canadiens, and Crosby
Were the Canadiens close to picking up Mats Sundin on deadline day? How close were the Flyers from acquiring Tomas Kaberle? Is Jason Smith on course to become a Devil? Are the Thrashers trying to re-sign their their pending free agents? Will the Canadiens have an easier time in attracting free agents this summer? Would Penguins ever trade Sidney Crosby?
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reports that Toronto Maple Leafs pending unrestricted free agent forward Mats Sundin turn down a deal that would have sent him to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Christopher Higgins, along with the Canadiens’ first-, second- and third-round draft picks.
Sundin refused to waive the no-trade clause and allow the deal to go through.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs were also close to acquiring Philadelphia Flyers forward Jeff Carter and the club’s first round pick in return for defenseman Tomas Kaberle on deadline day. The deal “was written up at the league office and awaiting approval,” but Kaberle invoked his no-trade clause.
The Edmonton Journal claims that the New Jersey Devils will sign Flyers defenseman Jason Smith in the off-season as an unrestricted free agent.
Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell told Craig Custance of The Atlanta Journal Constitution that he is not negotiating contract extensions with any of the club’s pending free agents.
“There are no talks going on right now,” Waddell said.
Waddell says that there is plenty of time to discuss new contracts with possible UFAs Mark Recchi, Johan Hedberg, Eric Boulton, Bobby Holik and Steve McCarthy, and the team’s lone pending RFA Kari Lehtonen.
“On our current team there’s only one restricted and that’s Lehtonen. We have a couple unrestricted guys but right now no talks have gone on with any of our players. I think the [current] situation, I don’t see a big need just yet. We have a couple weeks here to focus on winning hockey games.”
Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette suggests that the Canadiens will have an easier time attracting quality free agent in the summer due to their excellent play this season and good group of talented young players.
Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette suggests that the Pittsburgh Penguins should not trade forward Sidney Crosby for any reason. Duh!
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Like I’ve said before, I would take Sundin on my team anyday, but if that package is correct, it would have been too much to give for a player which probably would have either retired, or gone back to his old team for less money at the end of the season.
by Bryen Owen on March 17th, 2008 at 9:18 PM EDT
Giving a few picks away and Higgins for a player that can take a good team like the Canadiens and propel them to a true contender would have been worth it, in my opinion.
Besides, the Habs have a lot of good young players that they can build around for years. Losing a few pick wouldn’t have been the end of the world even if Mats decided to play elsewhere next season.
by Alin Mateescu on March 17th, 2008 at 9:42 PM EDT