Notable is that Berger lists Andrew Raycroft as the most likely to be removed from the team. Raycroft received the highest possible rank - a 10 - and was the only Leaf ranked that highly. Following Raycroft with rankings of 9 are John Pohl, Wade Belak, and Andy Wozniewski. The highest ranked 'core' player was Kyle Wellwood at 7.
Could all three of these players be dealt before February 26th?By no means is Berger's opinion gospel, but the fact is that no-one in the business follows the team closer than ole Howie. He's been the hockey reporter at The Fan for 20 years, and has been covering the Leafs - both home and away - since 1994. I put alotta stock in what Berger says, because he is a fine reporter, and he knows his shit.
Berger's article is discouraging to those of us waiting for a Mats Sundin trade. Sundin is given a ranking of 3, which doesn't give much hope that the team will be able to turn their captain into prospects and picks. Ouch.
It's just...how can a professional athlete - one who devotes his entire life to playing a game - not want to win the ultimate prize in that game? There is an argument to be made that Sundin's Olympic gold medal is a more significant accomplishment than a Stanley Cup, but Sundin has played in the NHL for damn near 20 years. Olympics aside, anyone that competes in anything for 20 years wants to win, don't they?
Mats Sundin has the opportunity to go to another team for a few months, have a great shot at winning the most coveted trophy in a game of which he has chosen to make a career, only to simply resign with the Leafs in the summer. He'd almost surely re-sign with the Leafs, because he seemingly loves the team or the city so much. If he doesn't, why contemplate refusing a trade in the first place? Moreover, the team he'd be returning to would be much stronger because he left for those few months.
Giving Sundin a 3 ranking means there is some reason Berger believes Sundin won't allow himself to be traded. It's not that I have an issue with Berger, more that I have one with Sundin (assuming Berger's 3 is accurate). If Sundin blocks a trade, he is essentially saying that he isn't interested in winning. He can continue with the "I want to win here in Toronto" line, but anyone with a brain can see through that. Sundin is 36 years old, and competing for a Stanley Cup in his career will not happen on this team. Keanu Reeves has a better chance at a Best Actor Oscar than Sundin does at winning a Cup in Toronto. Sundin is smart enough to know he can't win anything while playing in Toronto.
The question then becomes, "Is Sundin a player the Leafs should be interested in bringing back for the 2008/09 season at all?". If he blocks a trade to a contending team - effectively ruining his own chances of winning big - is that the sort of leadership the team wants around a rebuilding team? Fuck no!
While I wouldn't hold it against Sundin for staying put - the man has played well for the Leafs for many years - it seems to me that blocking a trade in the next three weeks should mean an end to his time in Toronto. It would mean that all of his doubters have been right all of these years when they said that Sundin is a mediocre leader that doesn't have a winner's mentality.
I don't, however, believe Mats Sundin is that player. I believe Mats Sundin does have that hunger to win, and that he will allow himself to be traded...to the right team, of course. It is up to Cliff Fletcher to make the deal happen on Sundin's terms. I really think Berger has ranked Sundin far too low. Rather than being on the lowest third of his ranking system, I place Sundin in the highest third.
Berger knows more about the Leafs, or Sundin for that matter, than I do, but - being that his immediate future is in his own hands - Sundin not being traded means he isn't the player Leafs fans have come to adore, and I refuse to believe that our captain is a loser.
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