Mats Sundin this summer continued, over and over to say he did not know where he wanted to play this year. Throughout the summer, he still could not make a decision. This continued into the fall, and to this very day and counting. Some Leafs fans are hoping he comes back to the Leafs, while some just do not really care anymore.

I am one of those who sort of cares about whether he comes back to the Leafs. He would help this team dramatically, but only in the short term. This team would definitely be a playoff team with the way they are playing. Grabovski is playing very well, Antropov is also playing up to his “top 6 forward” ability. Right now, the Leafs are around a 10th place team. They are better than last year with a better coach and a better, more defensively sound game. Sundin would lift this team into a playoff position. He gets 30 goals a year consistently enough, and even at his age did it last year.

The Leafs are one team that are still in the running for him, but who else would like him on their team? The answer would probably be every team, but the other two teams that still really want him are the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks put a mammoth $10 million a year for 2 years deal on the table on July 1st.  For Mats, I do not understand why he has not taken this deal yet. It is an amazing amount of money to play on a team that could make the playoffs, and with him could go kind of deep into the playoffs. Oh, and it’s $10 million a year. Who would not like to have that as their yearly salary.

The second team, as stated, was the New York Rangers. This team has come right out of the gate with one of the best records in the NHL, and second best in the Eastern Conference. I am not sure of the contract numbers of the deal, but the Rangers would be a great team for Mats to play for. Of the teams that still really want him, this team has the best chance at winning the Stanley Cup, something that Mats deserves so much. They have guys like Scott Gomez, Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky, a good young talent. Oh, and Lundqvist in net (who?). They are one of the most complete teams in the league, and as stated above, the best team of the three still in the running for Sundin.

Who do I think Mats will sign with? The most logical would be the Rangers. If he wants to win the Stanley Cup, the Rangers would be the best team to be a part of. He could, however, feel a bit of loyalty and come back to the Leafs. Or feel a pinch of money and sign with Vancouver. Only time will tell, and right now, it is a bit of a crapshoot to where he goes.