With the Leafs predictably sinking into nether regions of the Eastern Conference, talk has begun to surface in the media regarding the fate of captain Matts Sundin.
Some background - Sundin is 36 this year, but still an effective difference maker. He'd likely be a pure rental to anyone that acquired him. Meaning 30 regular season games plus whatever post-season success they could muster.
As a benchmark, last year the Flyers traded Peter Forsberg to the Nashville predators for 3rd liner Scottie Upshall, top defensive prospect Ryan Parent as well as first and third round draft picks.
And now the insanity - Rick Westhead has a piece in the Star this morning asking 12 hockey personalities/agents/pundits/former GMs what they would demand for a Sundin rental if they were in JFJ's shoes.
I hope you're sitting down...
Glenn Healy would offer Sundin to Ottawa for:
Andrej Meszaros, D. 22 years old. In 41 games, has 7 goals, 12 assists and has a plus-minus rating of plus-8.
Patrick Eaves, RW. 23 years old. In 20 games, has 4 goals, 4 assists.
Antoine Vermette, LW. 25 years old. In 40 games, has eight goals, 15 assists.
Two first- or second-round draft picks in 2008.
...That is, a young, top 4 defenseman, a future 2nd line center and already elite PKer, a futuer top 6 forward AND two high draft picks. From a divisional rival. Uh-huh.
Brian Lawton, player agent who is "currently looking for work as an NHL GM" says he would trade Sundin to Anaheim for:
Drew Miller, LW. 23 years old. In 25 games, has 2 goals and 3 assists.
Anaheim's first-round pick in 2009.
Anaheim's first-round pick in 2008 (acquired from Edmonton) or Bobby Ryan, C. 20 years old. In 13 games, he has 3 goals, 2 assists.
In the body of the piece, Lawton adds that the Leafs "could also ask for 27-year-old defenceman François Beauchemin, who makes $1.65 million this season."
Hahahaha! Don't quit your day job there Brian. I've seen more realistic and thoughtful GMing on fan messageboards.
But wait. It gets worse.
The last suggestion I'll highlight is from former Flames GM Craig Button. And it absolutely takes the cake. Apparently Button would trade Sundin to the Flames for:
Matthew Lombardi, C. 25 years old. In 43 games, has 9 goals, 12 assists.
Mikael Backlund, C. 18 years old. Calgary's first-round pick, 24th overall, in 2007.
Dustin Boyd, C. 21 years old. In 19 games, has 3 goals, 2 assists.
Two first-round picks in the next three years – taken at the discretion of the Leafs prior to the selection at the draft. "That would allow the Leafs the opportunity to maximize the picks." The Leafs would demand a second-round pick in the year they didn't take a first-rounder.
Read that again. That's 3 young centers (all with top 6 potential), and 2 high draft picks to be chosen "at the discretion of the Leafs". That deal would effectively gut the Calgary Flames for years. It's so heavily one-sided, I have to assume Button didn't take the exercise seriously (or was tailoring his response to the audience) because it's just so incredibly stupid. It's belly-laugh material. Can you imagine JFJ calling Sutter and making that demand? Ferguson's head would burst in response to the gravelly, mocking laughter that would emanate from the other end of the line.
