Ottawa, NY Rangers interested in NHL free agent Mats Sundin

In a situation somewhat reminiscent of the Brett Favre fiasco of this summer, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin still hasn’t made up his mind about his future.  He’s an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team, and there are a number of them that have expressed interest—including his former employers in Toronto.  He’s also considering playing hockey in the Swedish professional league or just retiring. 

While he’s been very hush hush on his plans, this much is known:  if he returns to the NHL, he wants to play for a contender.  That dictum likely eliminates the Vancouver Canucks, who have reportedly made the biggest financial offer to Sundin—a deal worth $20 million (US) over two seasons.  And while Sundin has made clear that his decision won’t entirely be motivated by money, he was less than enthusiastic about a one year, $7 million package proposed by Toronto so the Maple Leafs are apparently also out of the running.

At least five NHL teams including Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Montreal, Ottawa and the NY Rangers still remain in the Sundin derby—assuming, of course, that he returns to North American pro hockey at all.  Of the five the Senators and the Rangers have emerged as the front runners, at least for now.  Ottawa wouldn’t be able to pay Sundin as much as Vancouver was offering, but could offer more than the Maple Leafs and promise a more competitive team.  The Rangers have deep pockets financially and a talented young team, and it may be more attractive for Sundin not to have to play for one of the hated Canadian rivals of Toronto.  One league executive who spoke anonymously to the Canadian sports media suggested:

"It could be tough for Mats Sundin, after all those years with the Leafs, to cross the street and go suit up for his biggest rivals in Ottawa or Montreal. I don't know if he's the kind of guy who could make that kind of move.”

"It might make more sense for him to go to a team like the Rangers. They've got a chance to win, they've got a strong goalie (with Henrik Lundqvist) and Sundin really doesn't have any history with that team, good or bad. The Rangers aren't the Leafs biggest rivals."