Are You Playing or Not?

I usually like to think, because it's mostly true, that the NHL is the most gentleman-like sport of the major sports. There are rarely issues with superstars having over-inflated egos. You almost never hear of contract holdouts. Even the fights end on good terms with the combatants giving each other a pat on the head or a nod of respect.

However, there is an ugly element to the NHL that has popped up in the past couple of years. It's the "Am I going to retire or not" decision by some of the aging superstars in the league. These players are literally holding their respective teams hostage. Last season the Anaheim Ducks had to wait until the midway point of the season before Scott Neidermayer and Teemu Selanne decided to play the rest of the season for the defending Stanley Cup Champions. At that point, the Ducks welcomed back the two stars, but had to discard two regulars who played those positions for the majority of the season up to that point.

The Vancouver Canucks are kind of going through the same issue right now. They offered free agent, Mats Sundin, a two year - $20 million contract. And Mats doesn't know if he wants to continue playing or not. He's not going to decide until mid to late August, which by the way is about two weeks before training camp opens. Meanwhile, that's $10 million the Canucks haven't been able to target other players with for the upcoming season. They've made a few minor signings which haven't really improved their team. If Sundin decides he wants to retire, the Canucks have missed out on the free agent bonanza that has already taken place.

The same thing is taking place in Colorado. Long time captain Joe Sakic is taking the summer to decide on his future. The Avalanche haven't been able to participate in free agent spending until they know how much money they need or don't need for Sakic.

Of course, part of the blame does have to go the teams for allowing this to take place. If you're a GM, you can't allow your team to be put on hold by one player.

C'mon NHL and team GM's. Let's not create prima donnas in hockey. If a guy needs take half a year or more to decide whether he wants to play, then he's probably not worth waiting for.