CuJo Returns, Sundin Now A Free Agent

On the heels of disappointing play-off season – following several just like it without a Stanley Cup in sight  -Mats Sundin is now a free agent.

The Leafs captain is rumoured to be in talks with the Montreal Canadiens as the NHL’s free agency season began on Tuesday at noon.

The Habs had hoped to sign him before then, but that appears unlikely. GM Bob Gainey exchanged e-mails with the 37-year-old star centre again over the weekend but to no avail.

“After thinking about things for quite a long time, and after listening to what Bob had to say, Mats still has not made a decision on whether he will play next season,” Sundin’s agent J.P. Barry told The Canadian Press on Monday.

“He knows that there was a wonderful opportunity in Montreal and he’s very appreciative of the way that Bob handled the discussions over the past week.”

So Sundin, still unsure about his playing future, hits the unrestricted free-agent market Tuesday for the first time in his caree. Detroit and the New York Rangers are among the teams expected to chase him along with Montreal.

“Mats has not closed any doors and will simply listen to all the options that are presented to him over the next while,” added Barry.

One of those options just may be a US $20 million, two-year contract with Vancouver, an offer that would make Sundin the highest paid player in the NHL.

In happier news, CuJo is back.

Curtis Joseph has returned to the Maple Leafs after signing a US$700,000, one-year deal. The 41-year-old enjoyed his finest seasons in blue and white, twice leading Toronto to the Eastern Conference final between 1998 and 2002.

The veteran goalie has appeared in 922 NHL games for St. Louis, Edmonton, Toronto, Detroit, Phoenix and Calgary.

Moves Made Before Tuesday’s Deadline:

Tampa Bay Lightning acquire winger Ryan Malone, cutting a $31.5-million, seven-year deal with the 28-year-old former Penguin.

Gary Roberts, 42, also moved from Pittsburgh to Tampa Bay. Roberts agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.25 million in base salary and could be worth more than $2 million if he played all 82 games thanks to a $10,000-per-game played bonus.

Brian Rolston may also join, but has not yet made a decision.

A couple of restricted free agents also re-signed Monday, forward Paul Gaustad signing a $9.2-million, four-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres and forward Rostislav Olesz agreeing to an $18.75-million, six-year deal with the Florida Panthers.

A restricted free agent on the verge of a new deal is Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry. The 23-year-old forward led the Ducks with 29 goals last season and his agent Pat Morris has been trying to get a deal done with Anaheim assistant GM David McNab.

The Edmonton Oilers traded defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene.

Defenceman Brad Stuart signed a US$15-million, four-year contract extension with the Red Wings on Tuesday, just before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent. Detroit agreed to terms with goaltender Ty Conklin on a $750,000, one-year contract.


Free Agent Round-Up
by Chris Johnston, The Canadian Press

The only movement in the early part of the NHL’s free agent period came by way of trades.

The Edmonton Oilers acquired winger Erik Cole and centre Gilbert Brule in separate deals on Tuesday while the Calgary Flames nabbed veteran winger Rene Bourque.

Several would-be free agents agreed to contracts with their current teams just before the noon ET deadline passed.

Defenceman Brad Stuart agreed to a US$15-million, four-year contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings; the New Jersey Devils re-signed defenceman Bryce Salvador to an $11.6-million, four-year contract and inked forward Jay Pandolfo to a $7.5-million, three-year deal; and winger Pascal Dupuis signed a $4.2-million, three-year deal that will keep him in Pittsburgh.

Two restricted free agents who might have garnered offer sheets also got big raises. Forward Corey Perry and the Anaheim Ducks agreed to a $26.625-million, five-year extension while defenceman Mike Green signed a new $21-million, four-year deal with the Washington Capitals.

Green didn’t expect his contract negotiations to go down to the wire but said he is happy to remain with the Capitals. His focus shifts now to justifying his big new contract. The 22-year-old will earn $6 million next year — a hefty raise on the $850,000 he got last season.

“Maybe there’s a little bit of pressure but I think also it takes a little pressure off to know you’re with the team and where you want to be,” said Green. “We have a lot of unfinished business here in Washington — well at least I feel that way.

“I’m ready to play.”

Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe was clearly ready to shake up his team’s lineup. Cole arrives from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenceman Joni Pitkanen. The 29-year-old Cole had spent his entire career in Carolina and helped that team to its seven-game Stanley Cup win over the Oilers in 2006.

Brule was drafted sixth overall by Columbus in 2005 and has yet to develop into a consistent NHL player. He comes to Edmonton in exchange for rugged winger Raffi Torres.

The Flames acquired Bourque from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick.

The Boston Bruins signed free agent rookie forward Blake Wheeler.

The Washington Capitals signed free-agent netminder Jose Theodore to a US$9-million, two-year contract

The Minnesota Wild acquired 31-year-old defenceman Marek Zidlicky from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday for prospect Ryan Jones and a second-round draft pick..

Sundin celebrates a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at Air Canada Centre on March 29, 2008. Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today