With the hockey world all atwitter about what Mats Sundin's intentions - will he sign with Montreal? Toronto? Will he retire? - the Leaf captain insists he still hasn't made up his mind.
"I have not decided what do to next season," Sundin told reporters in Sweden. "The first decision I have to make is whether I'm going to play next season.
"After that I'm going take on the question where to play."
So Sundin's mantra has not changed that much since his season ended. His negotiating rights remain with the Montreal Canadiens until July 1 in a deal worked out with the Maple Leafs prior to last week's entry draft. The New York Rangers, too, tried to obtain his negotiating rights, but failed.
Sundin would be the top prize in the July 1 free agent feeding frenzy; a character leader whose skills and speed have not eroded even as he hit 37 years of age this past season. He'd easily command $7 million (U.S.) a year and would be a natural fit for any team that thought itself a Stanley Cup contender.
On Tuesday night, Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey told reporters he spoke to Sundin once, briefly, on the phone. "He's trying to organize his ideas about what his future looks like," Gainey told The Canadian Press.
It's believed Gainey was ready to head to Europe to meet with Sundin this week, but is waiting for the big Swede to give him the green light so as not to pressure him.
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