THN Proposes Fisher for Sundin Deal

Hockey News Columnist Ken Campbell has proposed that the Ottawa Senators trade Mike Fisher for Mats Sundin from the team down the highway. 

Campbell argues that with reports that Peter Forsberg's comeback has suffered a setback, Ottawa GM Brian Murray needs to make a "bold" move to get the Senators over the hump.  He thinks Sundin is the answer.  Setting aside the fact that Sundin (unlike Forsberg) has never won a Cup - the fact is that Fisher is way to high a price to pay in exchange for player soon to turn 37.  Sundin is a future Hall of Famer (500 goals, most of them scored in a Leaf jersey will secure those HoF votes) but Fisher is 10 years Sundin's junior and the Senator's captain-in-waiting. 

Forsberg's appeal is (was?) that teams figured on getting him without giving up a roster player, and possibly without giving him a long-term contract.  At a minimum, any Forsberg contract will be written with gaping escape clauses in the event of (another) career ending injury.  Sundin has hinted that he'd only waive his no-trade clause with the Leafs in exchange for a multi-year deal. 

In the past the knock on the Senators has been a lack of grit and players willing and capable of playing "playoff" hockey.  Fisher is just such a player - it doesn't make much sense for Murray to start trading awy the pieces that were lacking for so many of the seasons that ended in post-season disappointment. 

While Murray is undoubtedly be looking to tweak the Senator's lineup in the hopes of landing a skilled veteran to serve as an inspirational rallying point (à la Teemu, Bourque, Andreychuk...), giving up Fisher smacks of the short-term lunacy that has ruled the Leafs for decades.  The Senators have a record of avoiding just this sort of short-term move. 

Comments

[RH]

I just can't see this happening and actually think its a surprisingly dumb idea for a THN writer. Sundin is the 'only' star forward on the Leafs, is having a great year, and 'if' the Leafs make the playoffs it will be because of Sundin. Fisher will not help the Leafs get into the playoffs...and as Paul Maurice intonated last night, this is everything for them (not to mention he will be fired if they don't). Leaf fans and the Leaf organization, being what they are, would expect far more for Sundin than a Mike Fisher.

[JarJar]

Fisher for Sundin would be a stupid trade for the leafs. They can and will get more.

Mike Fisher is a solid pro and a great skater. but really 202 points in 398 career games. His avg 1/2 a point per game.

Mats Sundin Avgs just over a point a game. Playing with bums. He's 37 but playing like he's 32. Sundin has another 2 years in him.

If the Sens were to pull off that robbery( given JFJ's past it could happen ) The Senators would easily win the cup going away. Two lines with 4 allstars.

You may not like the Leafs but give Sundin some respect.

[outburst]

Some crazy move like that might be just the thing to take them over the top too. Would Colorado have won the cup without Bourque and Blake in 2001?
Personally, I think the Sens need stronger defensive backliners.
But, everyone's a critic and everyone with an armchair view of this game thinks they can do a better job than the existing GMs.
As far as the Leafs' lunacy with such trades, I don't really see the stats. Yes, there have been bad trades, but the short-term ones haven't hurt too much. They gave up very little for Brian Leetch, they gave up very little for Yanic Perreault last year, and McCauley for Owen Nolan, well McCauley has fallen off the map. I would like to have Brad Boyes back though.

[George]

Hey, I have a deal for Toronto. Since you love overpaid, underproducing D-men so much, how about trading Sundin to us for Wade Redden?

It’s traditional for players in the last year of a contract to play harder and better, but Wade Redden seems to be playing as if he knows he’s not getting an Ottawa contract for next year.

It says a lot, I think, when the biggest “good news” story about Redden this year is what is happening off the ice, not on it (he’s getting married and is officially “off the market”).

I’m getting tired of Redden’s brain cramps, giveaways, and lack of effort in fighting the battles around the net and against the boards. Sure he scored the game tying goal against Tampa Bay last night, but he’s costing us a lot of games, and there is nothing in Redden’s playoff history to suggest that he will suddenly turn things around in the playoffs.

He’s done a lot in the community, and I’m sure he’s a great guy, but I think it’s time to take Wade Redden not only “off the market”, but “off the Ottawa ice” too.

Anyway, just because he doesn't fit in with a good team like Ottawa anymore, doesn't mean he wouldn't fit into Toronto's top 4 just about perfectly. Especially since playoff performance doesn't seem to matter much in Toronto these past few years.

[Edmund62]

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