Leaf Nation was again abuzz last week when soon to be free agent Mats Sundin suggested that although he still wants to retire as a Maple Leaf, there is a chance that won't happen. You could feel the angst from across the GTA with the knowledge that the Leafs could have received an excellent package of players and picks for Sundin at the trading deadline, if he had only cooperated.
The statement pretty much confirms that Sundin will not be retiring this summer and has begun the process to negotiate a new contract. But to re-sign Sundin, the Leafs will likely have to pay him close to market value. Last season Sundin's salary was about $5.5 million but if you include the payment that had to make for not picking up the option year of his previous contract, his full earnings was about $6.5 million. Now should Sundin's agent shop around the big Swede, he would likely receive offers of between $7 and $8 million.
So despite the fact that the team is rebuilding and there is no permanent management team or coach in place, Sundin would still like to finish his career in Toronto. But considering the other factors, there won't be a hometown discount. Afterall, it's not like the savings from a Sundin contact could be used to bring in someone who could make them a contender as is the case in Detroit. So why does he need to provide the team with any discount at all?
