Fired for Winning

The Flyers are rumored to be one of six teams interested in free agent center Mats Sundin. The 37-year old is still a workhorse, averaging 27 shifts and over 20 minutes a game last year and would be a tremendous complement to Mike Richards and Jeff Carter down the middle. A former number one overall pick way back in 1989 by the beloved Nordiques, Sundin has averaged better than a point per game during his Hall of Fame career. After declining to waive his no-trade clause at last season’s deadline, Sundin may now want to take one last crack at that elusive Stanley Cup, something the woeful Maple Leafs certainly cannot provide.

Sundin would give the Flyers with a proven veteran stud to anchor their forward ranks with Richards. The eight-time all-star won 55% of his faceoffs last season and would add a dimension the orange and black have been missing since the days of Keith Primeau (Jim Dowd led the team last year with a 53.8% success rate in his limited ice time). His presence could lighten the load of Richards, who played in all situations last year, and although still producing, seemed a bit worn down towards the end of the regular season.

Adding Sundin to a young lineup that reached the conference finals without Simon Gagne would be impressive, even in a tough division. Despite the Penguins free agent departures, they are still the class of the Eastern Conference. On paper, the Rangers may be as talented as anyone and the Devils will always be the Devils to Flyers fans. Philadelphia did rank sixth in the NHL last season in goals scored (higher than the Pens who were seventh), and the big Swede would add serious punch to an already balanced lineup. With Sundin last year, the Flyers still would not have beaten the Penguins, but imagine a first power play unit of Sundin, Gagne, Danny Briere, Kimmo Timonen and Richards. Not bad.  A penalty kill that would always be a threat to score shorthanded, with Sundin’s 31 career shorties joining Richards and his five from a season ago.

The big problem with this situation is the cap. Currently, the Flyers are about $1 million over the $56.7 million threshold and would have to unload some players. Mike Knuble and Scottie Upshall come to mind as candidates but making it all work financially would be an effort. It has been mentioned that Sundin has already turned down a 2-year, $20 million offer from Vancouver, so he won’t come cheap.

You have to love that the Flyers always show an interest in available talent. In the Bob Clarke era, they would’ve backed the truck up to Sundin’s house and unloaded the money right into his living room. Things are different in this day and age so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I don’t think new Flyer Glen Metropolit would mind giving up his #13 jersey for Sundin to wear opening night against the Rangers, I’m just not holding my breath that he’ll need to.