SB Nation - Mats Sundin

Revenge of the minnows

Bruce McCurdy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:34:42 -0000

Derek's great story on Peter Bondra brought back some memories that should be bitter but are in truth rather sweet. Bondra was one hell of a player, I loved the guy even when he was driving a stake through my heart. This happened twice in 2002. There was Derek's called shot hat trick against my Oilers, and then a few weeks later Bondra was the principle assassin as Slovakia knocked Canada out of the World Championships. That's a story in itself. It is without a doubt my favourite Canadian loss ever, as it was the first chapter in one of the greatest underdog stories in hockey history.

The bloodless revolution which should have set an example around the world -- one of the amicable divorcees installed a playwright as its president, for goodness' sake -- nonetheless seemed at the time to be a death blow to the competitiveness of the former hockey power, Czechoslovakia. Instead, both sides emerged as forces still to be reckoned with. It took the Czechs about five years to recover, then go on an unprecedented roll which saw them win the Olympics, two consecutive world juniors, and three consecutive world senior championships around Y2K.

The Slovaks seemed by comparison to be on the wrong side of the tracks. A tiny nation of ~5 million, they were shown zero respect, initially installed in C Pool in the worlds, then taking a gang reaming at the pleasure of the NHL, IOC, and IIHF in the winter Olympic games. At Salt Lake City earlier that winter, the "Big 6" got a bye into the second round and essentially right on into the medal since all 8 second round teams made it. Meanwhile Slovakia had to qualify among the hockey minnows for Round 2, and do so without their stars who weren't released from their NHL clubs in time. They lost their first two games before reinforcements arrived, and that was that, their Olympics were done. It was the royal shaft in about every manner imaginable, and one would imagine it was particularly hurtful to the Slovaks that they were treated in such a second class manner to the Czechs so soon after the Velvet Revolution. It was like the Czechs were treated like former Czechoslovaks and the Slovaks weren't, if you follow me.

Suddenly at the worlds, the shoe was on the other foot. As luck had it, many of the top Slovak stars either missed the NHL playoffs or got knocked out in the first round. While they still missed the likes of Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa, and Pavol Demitra, every country could say the same about top stars either unable or unwilling to play. For example, the host Swedes were missing Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin, and Daniel Alfredsson. Manager Peter Stastny had no trouble convincing the Slovak players who were available to show up, and they showed up on a mission. It was quite a line-up, particularly up front: the NHL's most underrated superstar, Peter Bondra; team captain and tournament leading scorer, ex-Oiler Miro Satan; deadly sniper and surprising playmaker Ziggy Palffy; proven two-way centres Josef Stumpel and Michal Handzus; rising talent Ladislav Nagy, Lubos Bartecko, Vladimir (Gesundheit) Orszagh and a couple of youngsters who hadn't (yet) crossed The Pond. The blueline corps was fairly solid but unspectacular, led by Richard Lintner and future Oiler Lubomir Visnovsky. The goaltender was Jan Lasak who had ended the season in Nashville, and he played brilliantly.

I had the good fortune of seeing all three of Slovakia's sudden-death games on the tube, and it was riveting hockey. Thanks to the wonders of Youtube, game highlights are readily available from the Slovakian telecasts of the day, and are well worth the watch if you have a few minutes.

The first two feature the Slovakia-Canada game. Against a Canadian team that featured Oilers Ryan Smyth, Eric Brewer, Steve Staios, Mike Comrie, and Dan Cleary, the Slovaks dominated early, fell behind 2-0 against the flow of play, then started their comeback on a great individual effort by Bondra with one second to go in the second period (around 8:30 of the first video). Early in the third, Comrie took an undisciplined slashing penalty, and the awesome Slovak powerplay (Bondra, Palffy, and Satan were all in the top five in the NHL in PP goals that season) made him pay on a well-engineered goal by Satan. Before Canada could recover, Bondra was set up in the slot and buried an absolute rocket (around 1:45 of the second video). J-S Giguere played well, but he had no chance on the goals by these snipers. (Listen to the play-by-play guy, who cracks me up, seemingly mocking Giguere right after the 3-2 goal.) Once ahead, the Slovaks defended more effectively than Canada had done, although in the last two minutes the Canadians poured on the pressure, and Lasak absolutely robbed Comrie with a brilliant save to preserve the win. But it was a deserved win; the Slovaks were the better team on the day.

The Swedish game was much more one of those "team of destiny" type games. Once again the Slovaks fell behind 2-0. Late in the second period there was a frantic sequence where Orszagh pulled down a breaking Swede on a near-penalty-shot situation; the Swedes poured it on for the full two minutes of the PP with Lasak standing on his head, only to be caught on an odd-man rush when Orszagh came out of the box just in time to receive a head-man pass and go in and pick the top corner. 2-1, and the exuberance was absolutely sucked out of the Swedish fans. The Swedes still appeared to be in control in the third, but took a late and deserved penalty for checking Satan from behind. Satan got his revenge with a tying PP goal just as the two minute announcement was being made. The game went to OT with pulsating, end-to-end action, featuring a miraculous Cujo-on-Nieuwendyk type emergency save by Lasak. The damn satellite feed went down at that point, but came back in time for the shootout. Lasak remained unbeatable, with glove side, stick side, poke check, and five-hole saves; then-Oilers goalie Tommy Salo made two fine stops on low shots before Palffy and Lintner buried a couple under the crossbar to put it away.

The final featured another hockey giant, Russia. Like the Slovaks, they too had pulled off what could be considered (at least on paper) two huge upsets. The Russians had only three active NHLers, and a handful of formers, including captain and another ex-Oiler, Andrei (In the Tank) Kovalenko. Although history said otherwise, Slovakia could clearly be considered the favourites based on (known) talent. They quickly jumped into a first-minute lead which they stretched to 2-0, then 3-1 on goals by Visnosky, Bondra, and Satan. They missed some great chances to make it a three-goal lead, then came out for the third period very nervous, looking very much like a team unaccustomed to playing with a lead. They stayed back in their own end, content to shoot the puck out if they could, doing nothing offensively, falling and diving around with hero plays rather than playing the type of hockey that got them there. Sure enough, the Russians got a couple to tie it up and it looked like the Slovakian dream might come crashing down in humiliating fashion. Instead, with under two minutes left, Palffy broke out with the puck and wisely fed Bondra, who calmly fired a sniper's bullet in off the post. It was only the second shot of the period for the Slovaks, but it was the telling blow in a game that was more tense than it was wide-open exciting. For Bondra it was his 7th goal and 3rd game-winner, and raised his plus-minus to +12 (he was on the ice for 12 goals for and zero goals against); all were tournament highs.

Bondra's winner occurs around the 2:10 mark of the embedded clip, although the entire 6-minute video should be required watching for anybody who poohpoohs the World Senior Men's Hockey Championships as unimportant. Seeing the bedlam in Bratislava's Main Square in the immediate aftermath of Bondra's snipe with 100 seconds remaining in the Gold Medal Game is enough even all these years later to bring a tear to the eye of this sentimental old fool. And I'm not even Slovakian.

As the clock wound down, the joy of the Slovaks was great to see. They'd gotten some breaks along the way, but surely they'd earned a couple over the years, and when the situation presented itself, they took advantage. To see them bellowing the Slovakian anthem (the beautiful "second half" of the old Czechoslovak hymn that we once heard fairly frequently) was a wonderful sight if not sound.

For your added viewing pleasure check out this clip of the post-game celebration, highlighted around the 42-second mark when Lubo Visnovsky literally bounds into the room wearing a grin to light up the world.

Canada's quarter final loss was an anticlimax to an Olympian season, and just a momentary setback in a series of triumphs; the Red Maple Leaf would return to win the Worlds in both 2003 and 2004. That spring of 2002, though, was Slovakia's time to shine. Peter Bondra, who led the tournament in goals (7), game-winning goals (3) and plus (+12 by being on the ice for 12 goals for and zero goals against), shone the brightest of all. It was the crowning moment of a great career.

On the First Day of Leafsmas, My True Love Gave to Me....

blurr1974 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:00:22 -0000

A pretty kick-ass Leafs stocking. (available here. via images.footballfanatics.com)

It's officially "holiday season" and I am in full swing. Enjoy the links, and have some Leafs-nog (aka-beer.)

Down Goes Brown and Bloge Salming manage to make me feel better about the Leafs loss to Boston.
Vintage Leafs with a picture of two icons colliding.
I missed Archi's post for the previous FTB, but it's not like it could go out of style.
Speaking of misses, Jared's recap just happens to be the top item on the Barilkosphere's wish list this year.
Steve takes a look at Nikolai Kulemin and discovers another Poni.
MLHS notes that one of the bonuses of the Leafs improved play could be inflated trade values come the deadline. Do I hear a "Matt Stajan for Nathan Horton" in our future? (Hint, the answer is "no.")
Newest member of the Barilkosphere, the Blue (and White) Chip Defensemen starts us off with an easy post: Total Roster Analysis.
With a win at home out of the way, Leafs Fan Forever is feeling worried.
Are the Leafs world-beaters, or also-rans? Frozen Leafs was kinda hoping you'd know...
Kavel has a curious list of Leafs up for your vote on "Leaf of the Decade."
The Strangest One of All thinks Pierre Turgeon is as good as Mats Sundin. Should they both be Hall of Famers?

UPDATE!!!!!!1

Jared lets the music do the talking.

So How Those Other Guys Doing?

Yankee Canuck — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:10:54 -0000

These. Long. Breaks. Between. Hockey. Games. SUCK.

So much so I caught myself watching other games and seeing some old faces in new places. Curious what's up with some former 'Nuckers out there? Take a spin with me then.

Mattias Ohlund - Ah, 'old Matty. Maybe his departure is why Edler sucks so far. Baby bear missing papa bear perhaps? Six points in 17 games (only one PP point) doesn't leave much to be desired for Ohlund though. He did blow up Kessel, that was good for a laugh. His new baby bear - Victor Hedman - has five points in 20 games. Ohlund has been nursing a lower body injury the past few games which perhaps means more ice time for...

Lukas Krajicek - Poor Luke. Once projected to be very much what Blastoff is for the Canucks now, he was deemed expendable for SOB last year and, though he had some injury problems, finished up as the second best scoring defenseman for Tampa. I don't know where he is on the depth chart now, but he's only played 12 games this year, has a single point and somehow has 19 PIMs. If it makes him feel any better, SOB has only played 17 games, has no points and 32 PIMs. Everyone collectively sigh in 3...2...1...

Taylor Pyatt - Old pretty eyes took his act down south to Phoenix, upsetting female fans...everywhere? However, he's only getting a shade over 13 minutes a game (close to a minute and a half off his average TOI last year) and - in 18 games - only has three points. He has been getting a decent amount of time on the PK so he's still got that working for him. OK fine, here puck bunnies, don't say we're not looking out for you and your squeeeeee's. And as long as we're in the desert let's go find...

Jason LaBarbera - Our metalhead back-up from last season is 1-3 behind a rather stellar Ilya Bryzgalov. Many of us didn't want to see Barbie go, but consider Raycroft has more wins, a better GAA (2.19 to 2.66) and a better S% (.916 to .907). So Vancouver did pretty well on this end so far, but we remain confident that Barbie has better musical sensibilities and, at nearly 70 lbs heavier than Raycroft, could probably use him as a tooth pick if he was so inclined.

Mats Sundin - He's doing this. Over and over and over again. Yup, feel bad about yourself. It's cool.

Curtis Sanford - The Sandman basically went from Manitoba to Hamilton of the AHL and is now backstopping the Bulldogs. Just for comparison, Sanford has a better GAA (1.78) and a better S% (.934) than Cory Schneider, though the red had has more wins. And he looks strange without the fan helmet. Or, you know, in general.

Jason Jaffray - When Vancouver went through their hilarious string of injuries last month, it would have been nice to call up Jaffray. The former Moose standout has only played one game for the Flames so far and had no points. But down in Abbotsford he's doing just fine with nine goals which is good enough for fifth best in the AHL (note: both Shirokov and former Canuck Jeff Cowan also have nine goals).

Ossi Vaananen - Ossssssssi! The vowel master wasn't given a second thought by Gillis, so instead he followed his (money) nose to the KHL where he's playing with HC Dynamo Minsk where he has two points and is -7 in 26 games. Yikes. But nevertheless, he'll also be the #1 waiver wire pick up in our hearts (no offense Kris Beech).

Rob Davison - Remember him? Me neither. But his 23 game campaign with Vancouver has been followed up by starting with AHL's Lowell Devils where he has eight points in 16 games. Not bad at all, but I suspect he's a long shot to make the Devil's (NHL) roster and may be destined for Europe at the end of the year.

...and, sure, while we're at it let's kick ourselves and check out the WCE...

Brendan Morrison - As Sean noted, B-mo is like a slightly more expensive Wellwood who, in contrast, has a spine, drive and points in the double digits. Fifth on the Caps in points in fact. Pudge is tied for 18th on Vancouver. Fuck.

But, all in all, couldn't happen to a better guy. Go B-mo go.

Todd Bertuzzi - Let's see: Bert has the lowest shooting percentage on the Wings, leads Red Wings forwards in giveaways (18) and has nine points in 22 games. To quote one commentator from the A2Y crowd: "I can’t possibly imagine that there isn’t a single other healthy player out there that couldn’t fill or exceed Bertuzzsi’s current role." Wow.

Markus Naslund - He's at Sean's house, baking fluffy, fresh muffins daily before Sean goes to work. And Sean could NOT be happier!

Interview with Propagandhi

DarrenM — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:21 -0000

I recently had the good fortune of sitting down to interview Chris Hannah (vocals/guitar) and David "The Beaver" Guillas (guitar) of seminal Canadian punk band Propagandhi before they played a sold out show in Vancouver. We talked about childhood hockey memories, favourite players, their song "Dear Coach's Corner," and more.

The fine lads of Propagandhi. Left-Right: Beaver, Chris, Jord, Todd

Do you have any good hockey memories from playing when growing up?

CHRIS: Oh, yeah. All of them. Every memory is a pretty good one. Driving down the back roads of Manitoba when it was so snowy that you'd have a convoy of cars going about this fast:
(Chris makes a slow gesture with his hand)
That haunting snow just snaking across. I love that. Oh, my first goal in Poplar Point, Manitoba? Love that.

Let me guess: it wasn't "roof daddy," was it?

CHRIS: No! Not roof daddy. I fanned on it and it went in.

BEAVER: Poplar Point... that's the home of Ron Hextall, I think. (Editor's note: Poplar Point is actually the home of NHLer Dennis Hextall, Ron's uncle. Still, pretty damn close)

CHRIS: That might be true! It wasn't him that I scored on, though.

BEAVER: He would've fought you after, though.

Now, as a Leafs fan growing up in Manitoba, I guess you weren't too devastated when Winnipeg lost the Jets?

CHRIS: I didn't care at all. I didn't watch hockey in the 90s, essentially. After Gretzky left Canada, my interest took a nose-dive for the majority of the 90s. It wasn't until around '99 where one day over at (drummer) Jord's house we started watching the playoffs. It was like "Oh! I forgot about this!" Got right back into it. It was the Leafs, obviously, with a pretty sweet line-up at the time.

What's worse: the over-the-glass delay of game penalty or the shootout?

CHRIS: I don't like either. I get the over the glass thing, but not as a gamebreaker. It's hard for the refs to know what's intentional or not... I don't like the shootout at all. That's not the way to do it. I like the old way.

BEAVER: A lot of people call it the most exciting thing aspect of hockey, watching that 1-on-0 shootout, but I just find that boring. I lose interest completely. Whoever wins that... it doesn't have any real meaning. It's just luck, y'know.

CHRIS: I'm surprised goaltenders haven't started a petition against it. That must suck being stuck out there for that.

Current or past favourite players?

BEAVER: (without hesitation) Dale Hawerchuk.

CHRIS: My first favourite player was Bobby Orr, then Terry O' Reilly, because I was a Bruins fan in the 70s. My most hated players were Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, because my sister was a Canadiens fan. Then it was Wayne Gretzky, Messier, and Jari Kurri. Actually, I liked Daryl Sittler, too.

You must have also liked Steve Smith.

CHRIS: I got a kick out of what happened to him. And then Mats Sundin was my favourite player for a long time until he... left the (Leafs) Nation. One of my favourites now is Ian White, the most underrated player in the whole league.

Lemieux or Gretzky?

BEAVER: Lemieux.

CHRIS: Pfft. Gretzky.

Roy or Brodeur?

BEAVER: Roy.

CHRIS: Brodeur!

Could you talk a little bit about your song "Dear Coach's Corner" from your latest album Supporting Caste?

CHRIS: It is a song that is about the "Coach's Corner" segment between the first and second periods of Hockey Night in Canada. Specifically, it's addressed to Ron MacLean, the idea there being that he would be open to a possible analysis of collusion between professional corporate sports and the geopolitical interests of the prevailing order, whereas Don Cherry has about as much brain as this item here.

(Chris lifts up a piece of metal he finds nearby)

I don't even know what that is. I was going to dictate to the microphone to let me know later, but there's no point.

CHRIS: He's just a useless mouthpiece of a system that stinks. The kind of personalities - and hockey is rife with them - that just cozy up to power and forget about marginalized people. I think Ron MacLean represents some of the best things about hockey and Don Cherry represents some of the worst things. I despise the attempt of the NHL mirroring the NFL in the States to get a captive audience of part of the population to mindlessly nod their heads at military adventurism overseas. Especially to a whole nation of children watching on TV. I consider it a form of child abuse.

Have you heard a response from the CBC or anyone associated with it?

CHRIS: No, I don't think they would ever hear it.

You've mentioned a dislike for Don Cherry and an affinity for Ron MacLean, what other hockey analysts do you enjoy?

CHRIS: James Duthie makes me laugh. I know people hate him, but I like Pierre McGuire.

Sigh.

BEAVER: I was going to say that! I like him, too!

CHRIS: I get a kick out of him. Sometimes, Glenn Healy, I don't think I like him as a person, but sometimes I don't mind some of the things he says. Who else? Darren Dreger - I like Leafs Lunch. Jeff Marek! I don't know why they stick him on that weird desk. What's that called?

I-Desk.

CHRIS: And get rid of JP Stock! What's his name?

PJ.

CHRIS: PJ Stock! Get rid of him and put Jeff Marek there!

Our thanks goes out to Propagandhi and Smallman Records for their co-operation in setting up this interview. Propagandhi released Supporting Caste in March of this year. You can stream the disc, which contains the aformentioned "Dear Coach's Corner," at Punknews.org, another site that I write for. If you like it, pick up the CD or buy a digital copy to support this great band.

Canucks / Flames Recap

Yankee Canuck — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:53:50 -0000

Second blowout and late comeback in Calgary. Second time Luongo has been pulled (10 goals, five periods, 42 shots in two games in Calgary alone). Second time Raycroft has looked better than Luongo in relief. The billionth time lazy penalites killed any chance of momentum. Rome, Hordichuk and Wellwood all....sucked. And Sportsnet credited an assist on Rypien’s goal to Mats Sundin.

Excuse me, I'm going to go fly a balloon in Colorado.

Today in Colorado Avalanche History

David Driscoll-Carignan — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:00:35 -0000

October 3rd, 1995 - On the eve of the season (man, don't you wish deals still happened right before the start of the season?), the Avalanche acquired Claude Lemieux from the Devils in a 3-way deal. The Avalanche sent ~~Mats Sundin~~ Wendel Clark to the Islanders, the Islanders sent Steve Thomas to the Devils and the Devils sent Lemieux to Denver. Interestingly, Clark was traded again later that year to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the draft pick that would become...today's likely starter, Roberto Luongo. As for Lemieux? Hmmm, I don't really recall anything memorable about his stay in Colorado.

Thursday links: One more day. One more f------ day.

averagejoe — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:01:09 -0000

This is it. We've almost made it. One more day.

Blues news

Tyson Strachan is the last cut. He has been sent to Peoria which gives the Blues a full roster. [Belleville News-Democrat]
Blues plan to get physical in 2009-10. [Stltoday.com]
Bernie Miklasz expects big things from the Note. [Stltoday.com]
Erik Johnson is recovered and ready to Erik Johnson. [Stltoday.com]
Five key players for the 2009-10 season. [Stltoday.com]
David Backes wants to win a cup. [Belleville News-Democrat]

Hockey news

The Wings won against Farjestad. [The State]
Puck Daddy tries to predict the West. [Puck Daddy]
And looks at the East. [Puck Daddy]
Mats Sundin is done. Farewell you weird looking man. [TSN]
The Penguins got their rings. Please old white people, don't call it bling. [WXPI]
After they sat by and watched an entire season get canceled, I'm shocked the NHLPA screwed something up. [TSN]
Top-10 rookies and sophomores (why are they paired up?) plus 10 guys with targets on their backs (Paul Kariya). [ESPN]
A judge turns away Jim Balsillie's bid ... and the NHL's. Holy shit, the Coyotes thing will never end. [ESPN]
A look from a biased Phoenix perspective on what happened today. [Five For Howling]
Cam Ward got paid. [ESPN]
Dominik talks with St. Louis-native (technically) Pat LaFontaine. [Lighthouse Hockey]

Other links

The aughts are coming to an end ... here's a look at 100 internet videos of the 00s. [Best]
I'm not even sure what is going on here, but this photoshop thread is crazy. [Fark.com]
100 Twitter accounts to follow. [Maxim]
Not a traditional other link, but this story is pretty good. Got a little dusty as the Averagejoe residence. [CBS]

Video

Gallagher passed this along from "Ken." This man is one of us. This should get you going for tomorrow. Language NSFW.

Gametimelinks(at)gmail.com

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Toronto Maple Leafs!

blurr1974 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:41 -0000

Hockey. It starts tonight...(via torontoist.com)

We're finally here. Opening night. When the season ended a scant 6 months or so ago, we'd seen a glimpse of Christian Hanson and been recently introduced to Tyler Bozak. However, since that time we've met Happy Trails, the Monster, Komikazi, C and Nasty (my Nazdaq is rising) Nazem. Suffice to say, it's been an exciting six months.

Tonight, it all begins again. Games matter. Not only in November, but now. Tonight we get to see the team as Brian Burke sees them: a team with "proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone, belligerence and truculence."

Tonight, we see the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Truthulence speaks.
At Heroes in Rehab, jrwendelman has a few words of wisdom for opening night.
Steve gives us a break down of the Jiri Tlusty, Nikolai Kulemin andTyler Bozak demotions. Then, he looks at the Leafs October schedule and gives us some predictions.
Zambonic Youth spreads some love out west and inadvertently (or maybe advertently...) introduces you to the greatest NHLer you never knew.
Down Goes Brown keeps rolling through the divisions, with a stop in the Northwest.
Norman James has his predictions up, and the reasons for PLAYOFFS!!!1 in Toronto.
TSM has their prediction counterpoint up, and notes that the Leafs could make the playoffs not only on their own merits, but the lack thereof from the competition. Also, giving the power back to the people they ask: Who is the next Leafs captain?
The Muppet is wondering if false-positives apply to hockey players, as Bob McKenzie's words about Stalberg has his heart all-a-flutter.
MLHS kicks off the season with recollections of favorite Leaf goals from years past.
Leaf & Lion breaks down the blue line and net positional players, with silver linings and clouds for all.
Is three non-consecutive periods of pre-season hockey enough to gauge the capabilities of a goalie? Hockeycentric seems to thinks so.
Even more than the predicted final score, I'm a big fan of Hockey Independent's predicted finishing move by the Leafs.
I enjoy articles like this one because, as someone else put it here recently, I get the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket, all safe and cozy. It's hard for fans of other NHL teams to fathom the joy we get from having a GM with a plan...
In addition to having a plan, the added bonus of depth on the Leafs has suddenly made the Marlies newsworthy again.
Does the pre-season matter? We'll soon find out!
Saying goodbye to one of their own, Four Habs Fans bid adieu to "Little Tits"

THE ALL SUNDIN EDITION

Lots of love going out to the former Leafs captain. Join with these folks as they pour some out for their homey, Mats Sundin.

Clawson @ Be Clever or I Sever
Bloge Salming (with video footage of Mats retirement speech.)
The Cheap Seats
Hungry Leafs Fan
Norman James
Third String Goalie
EYEBLEAF!!!1
JaredFromLondon @ Die Hard Blue and White
Barilkosphere newcomer: Leafs Fan Forever

Poll

The season begins tonight! Are you feeling:

Hopeful

37 votes

Excited

98 votes

Nervous

7 votes

Gassy

18 votes

160 votes | Poll has closed

Leaf of the Day - Sept 30, 2009 - Mats Sundin

1967ers — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:00:21 -0000

Sometimes the LotD just chooses himself.

With Mats Sundin retiring in his typical understated fashion it finally closes the book on an excellent career. For the Leaf fans who found themselves split in their reactions to his departure it allows the healing process to really begin. Now we all can start gearing up for the moment when #13 joins all the other numbers in the rafters of the ACC where it belongs.

I also find it kind of fitting that the Sundin era is closing just as a couple of new Swedes appear poised to take this city by storm. If Stalberg and Gustavsson can come close to Mats' contribution to this team the Burke era will be a very enjoyable one.

I was among those who was crushed by the departure of Wendel Clark in the summer of 1994. Wendel had defined the late 80s and early 90s for me and to see him leave town just as he appeared to finally be getting healthy and getting his game in gear was terrible. As a result, it took a little time to warm up to Mats, who in so many ways was the anti-Clark. Where Clark was all emotion, effort and reckless abandon, Mats' stocism took a little getting used to. Over time, I really came to appreciate his combination of skill, strength and resolve. He was a force in the Leafs' playoff runs, playing through various injuries and always finding a way to deliver.

On the international stage, his gold medal in 2006 showed he could lead a team to a championship. Such was his stature in Sweden that even on teams with stars like Forsberg and Lidstrom, Mats was always the captain. It was automatic.

Mats retires as the Leafs all-time leader in both goals and points, trailing only fellow Swede Borje Salming in assists. Borje was interviewed on the FAN today and asked about who he felt the greatest Swedish hockey player of all time was. Borje didn't hedge at all. It was Mats.

A great player and a great captain.

Good luck in retirement, Mats. Don't be a stranger.

The 500th:

PING!

Mats' stats:

1987-88	Nacka HK Jr.	Swe-Jr.
1987-88	Sweden	EJC-A	6	5	4	9	8
1988-89	Nacka HK	Sweden-2	25	10	8	18	18
1988-89	Sweden	EJC-A	6	6	2	8	14
1989-90	Djurgardens IF Stockholm	Sweden	34	10	8	18	16		8	7	0	7	4
1989-90	Sweden	WJC-A	7	5	2	7	6
1989-90	Sweden	WEC-A	4	0	0	0	0
1990-91	Quebec Nordiques	NHL	80	23	36	59	58	-24
1990-91	Sweden	EJC-A	10	7	5	12	12
1991-92	Sweden	Can-Cup	6	2	4	6	16
1991-92	Quebec Nordiques	NHL	80	33	43	76	103	-19
1991-92	Sweden	WC-A	8	2	6	8	8
1992-93	Quebec Nordiques	NHL	80	47	67	114	96	+21	6	3	1	4	6
1993-94	Quebec Nordiques	NHL	84	32	53	85	60	+1
1993-94	Sweden	WC-A	8	5	9	14	4
1994-95	Djurgardens IF Stockholm	Sweden	12	7	2	9	14
1994-95	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	47	23	24	47	14	-5	7	5	4	9	4
1995-96	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	76	33	50	83	46	+8	6	3	1	4	4
1996-97	Sweden	W-Cup	4	4	3	7	4
1996-97	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	41	53	94	59	+6
1997-98	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	33	41	74	49	-3
1997-98	Sweden	Olympics	4	3	0	3	4
1997-98	Sweden	WC-A	10	5	6	11	6
1998-99	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	31	52	83	58	+22	17	8	8	16	16
1999-00	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	73	32	41	73	46	+16	12	3	5	8	10
2000-01	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	28	46	74	76	+15	11	6	7	13	14
2000-01	Sweden	WC-A	2	0	1	1	2
2001-02	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	82	41	39	80	94	+6	8	2	5	7	4
2001-02	Sweden	Olympics	4	5	4	9	10
2002-03	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	75	37	35	72	58	+1	7	1	3	4	6
2002-03	Sweden	WC-A	7	6	4	10	10
2003-04	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	81	31	44	75	52	+11	9	4	5	9	8
2004-05	Sweden	W-Cup	4	1	5	6	0	1
2004-05	(none)
2005-06	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	70	31	47	78	58	+7
2005-06	Sweden	Olympics	8	3	5	8	4
2006-07	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	75	27	49	76	62	-2
2007-08	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	74	32	46	78	76	+17
2008-09	Vancouver Canucks	NHL	41	9	19	28	28	-5	8	3	5	8	2
	Leaf Totals		981	420	567	987	748	+99	77	32	38	70	66
	NHL Totals		1346	564	785	1349	1093	+74	91	38	44	82	74

Swedish World All-Star Team (1991, 1992, 1994, 1997)
Canada Cup All-Star Team (1991)
WC-A All-Star Team (1992)
Named Best Forward at WC-A (1992)
World Cup All-Star Team (1996)
NHL Second All-Star Team (2002, 2004)
Played in NHL All-Star Game (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)

- Traded to Toronto by Quebec with Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and Philadelphia's 1st round choice (previously acquired, later traded to Washington - Washington selected Nolan Baumgartner) in 1994 Entry Draft for Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and Toronto's 1st round choice (Jeffrey Kealty) in 1994 Entry Draft, June 28, 1994.
- Signed as a free agent by Vancouver, December 18, 2008.

The HHOF take on Mats:

"Mats Sundin has gone on to become an ambassador for Swedish sport, unarguably one of the most popular Swedish sportsmen ever. But there was a time when Mats Sundin was banned from Swedish hockey. There was even a time when controversial Swedish Ice Hockey Association boss Rickard Fagerlund promised he'd see to it that Mats Sundin never again played in a blue and yellow jersey.

That was a decade and three World Championships ago. In 1991 in Helsinki, in 1992 in Prague and in 1998 in Zurich, Sundin led the proud Tre Kronor to gold medals in competition with the best the world could offer.

After winning the Swedish title with Djurgarden and competing successfully with Tre Kronor in the Bern World Championship, Sundin left for North America without further notice in the summer of 1990. At that point, he had become one of the all-time greats in Swedish hockey. Only two players besides Sundin have won three World Championships, Jonas Bergqvist of Leksand and the legendary Sven Tumba, a 1950s and 1960s star with Sundin's Djurgarden.

Mats Sundin and countryman Peter Forsberg are currently two of the dominant players on the world hockey stage. Since a very quick decision made when Sweden needed reinforcements for the 1991 championship team, Fagerlund has had no reason to regret his decision to let Sundin back into Swedish hockey. It was only a year earlier that the 19-year-old Sundin had "defected" from Djurgarden to try his luck with the Quebec Nordiques, the team that in 1989 chose Sundin as their first pick. Sundin became the first European ever to be chosen first overall in a draft.

Sundin left Sweden under a barrage of fire and slander from various hockey personalities. His decision was hard to fathom. But passions cooled and Mats Sundin was invited to return home in time to play with the national team in Ebo and Helsinki. Sundin was an instant smash hit when he single-handedly won the trophy for Sweden by scoring the most important goals of the tournament. He scored three goals in the game against archrival Finland (4-4) and then the decisive goal against Russia (2-1) in the finals. In all, he registered seven goals in the tournament.

He put in the same kind of performance in Prague in 1992. Accompanied by a team with 17 rookies among them Peter Forsberg, then a 17-year-old hockey wonderkind from MoDo Sundin played at his best. He scored a very important goal in the 2-0 game against Russia that propelled Sweden into the final game against Finland. Sweden won 5-2, securing its second World Championship trophy in two years.

And in Zurich in 1998 came the third trophy for Sundin, who was once again one of the most valuable players on the team.

After being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994, the young Swede became a smashing success. In just one year he rose to stardom in a city well known for its taste for fine hockey and fighting spirit. He won the honor of being named the team's captain, the first foreign captain in the history of the Maple Leafs.

Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994, Sundin has enjoyed a number of accomplishments while leading the club in scoring for each year except one. In 2002-03, he became the first Swedish born player to reach 1,000 points at the NHL level, and as of 2006-07 he has more career goals, assists and points than any other Swedish born NHL player.

In Sundin's thirteenth season in Toronto, the nine-time all-star tallied 32 goals and re-wrote the Maple Leaf record book. After breaking Darryl Sittler's team record for all-time goals scored in a Leaf sweater, Sundin took sole possession of the club's all-time lead for points scored. During that same season, the Leafs quickly fell out of playoff contention and Sundin became the focus of numerous rumours as the trade deadline neared. However, Sundin didn't believe in being a "rental player", and subsequently refused to waive his no-trade clause built into his contract. Sundin became a free agent on July 1, 2008 and the Vancouver Cancuks promptly offered the former Quebec Nordique a two-year $20-million dollar contract. The Maple Leafs, Canadiens, and Rangers also offered contracts to Sundin, who took until December, 2008 to make his final decision.

On December 18, 2008 the Vancouver Cancuks announced that Sundin had signed with the club. His two-year $20-million dollar contract made him one of the highest paid NHL player at the time of the signing.

In international compeition, Sundin is recognized as being one of the elite players in the hockey world. He has represented his homeland at 14 international competitions, has one Olympic gold medal, and won gold in three World Championships. Sundin has held the position of team captain for the national squad for the better part of the last decade."

via img156.imageshack.us

September 30: Notes in Space

Robert Cleave — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:37:24 -0000

With the season starting tomorrow, there is plenty of hockey news circulating, Flames-specific and otherwise. After the jump, Mike Keenan speaks, Mats Sundin makes up his mind a bit earlier this year, and Carolina gives Cam Ward a pile of money.

Calgary:

First, some house cleaning from last season's wreckage. Mike Keenan spoke yesterday for the first time about his dismissal from the Flames. He accuses the Flames of impatience, comparing his situation to that of Scotty Bowman in Detroit. Note to Mike, Scotty Bowman's Red Wings went to the Finals his second year, and he had six Cups on the resume by that time. Keenan's an educated man, so I'm sure he's familiar with this word.

On to the new hotness. George Johnson takes a look at what the season may hold in store for Dion Phaneuf. Accountability, Dependability, Maturity. It may not have the ring of this famous phrase, but progress in those areas will be what Flames' fans should watch for this season from number 3.

Jarome Iginla's teammates have his back against critics of his play last year. Kent's spent plenty of time showing that Jarome beat up the weak sisters of the league last year while struggling against the top tier. Iginla himself says that his defensive play could use some improvement, and in that assessment, the captain and I are in complete accord. There's also plenty of chatter from the team about the burgeoning chemistry between Iginla and Jokinen. We'll see if they can do it at both ends of the ice.

Eric Francis has a Q & A with the new boss in the Sun. Amongst the tidbits, Sutter re-iterates that he wants Kiprusoff to play fewer than 70 games, citing fatigue from travel a one reason. He also notes that the Flames need Boyd, Dawes and Glencross to step up if the Flames expect to contend.

To that end, Sutter wants to give Dustin Boyd a larger role on this year's team, and notes that he's had success with Boyd in their Team Canada days by giving him more of a set role. Moving up to play with Glencross and Conroy is an opportunity that Boyd has to grab, because those two are good, and they'll likely play third-level comp, so Boyd has to produce in that scenario if he expects a long-term deal next summer.

Northwest Division:

The Robbie Schremp era in Edmonton is finally over, with the Islanders claiming him. Schremp was, to say the least, a lighting rod figure in the hockey-sphere. I think the diversity of opinion about him could be best summed up by slightly amending Homer Simpson's famous quote: "To Rob Schremp; the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems."

Does that make Rob Schremp the Duff Beer of hockey players?

In other Oily news, Sam Gagner has been given fourth line duties to start the season by Pat Quinn, and the Oilers' coach is blunt in assessing what the young man needs to improve at. Play a two-way game or take a step back, kinda the theme in Alberta this year, I'd say.

In Vancouver, salary cap issues have the Canucks doing some juggling. Tom Benjamin and our own Kent Wilson examine the situation. Kent's POV about what risks are entailed in running tight to the number is one I share, and Flames' fans should certainly understand those potential risks better than most.

The other Canuck news of note is the demotion of Cody Hodgson to Brampton. Unfortunately, from what I saw of him last spring during the AHL playoffs, he's too good for junior. Like Calgary prospects Mitch Wahl, Greg Nemisz and T.J. Brodie, he'd be likely be better off in the AHL playing against grown-ups. Spending the winter(hockey-wise, anyway) here in the 'Peg would be his best bet for development, since Vancouver doesn't want or need to have him in the bigs, but the rules exist, and he's stuck.

Elsewhere:

Mats Sundin has finally called time on his career, announcing his retirement. A jersey retirement and enshrinment in the HHOF are in his near future. Unlike the charade of every Leaf of the 1960's apparently getting inducted, Sundin's a worthy member of the hall, both for his play in the NHL and his regular efforts on behalf of Sweden in international play. Now if only Peter Forsberg would take the hint.

Another worthy read from Leaf-land is Pension Plan Puppets' lengthy interview with Michael Grange and Dave Feschuk, authors of Leafs AbomiNation. PPP was featured in the book, and serves up some in-depth questioning of Grange and Feschuk.

Cam Ward hit the jackpot today, as Carolina has made a major commitment to the former Red Deer Rebel, inking him to a 6 year deal reportedly worth 37.8 million. Just remember, 'Canes fans, Kipper's deal looked decent at the time as well. His Conn Smythe run aside, last year was the first season where he seemed to rate as a proper number 1.

ESPN's Scott Burnside has a, um, novel power ranking to open the season. Vancouver behind the Oil, Tampa 10th, and the Blue Jackets and Devils behind teams like Nashville and Ottawa? What's in the water in Bristol?

Todd Bertuzzi tells Dan Rosen of NHL.com that he's ready to fit in with the Wings. A coach that doesn't give him unfettered ice-time will likely help curb his excesses to a degree, so it'll be interesting to see if Bertuzzi is done as a serious contributor, or if Keenan's endless coddling of him just made it look that way. If it's the former, this might be Bert's last contract unless he wants to play for a bottom feeder.

Max Afinogenov has found a new home, signing a 1 year, 800k deal with Atlanta. With all the money that he could have made in Russia, this might be a slight surprise, but he'd made noises all summer that he wanted to stay in the NHL. He wasn't exactly a favourite by the time he left Buffalo, but he's not a terrible gamble at that price. Atlanta signed Nik Antropov to a 16 million dollar deal, so I guess I'd say it isn't even the biggest gamble Don Waddell took this off-season.

Feel free to add a link to anything else you see in the comments.