VANCOUVER—Playing the free-agent game in pro sports is kind of like going all-in in poker or betting it all in the spin of a roulette wheel—it’s a high-risk high-reward proposition.
The NFL’s Green Bay Packers signed Reggie White as a free agent in 1993 and he became a key component on the Super Bowl XXXI winning team. The “Minister of Defense” ranks #2 in career sacks.
By contrast, the Texas Rangers added pitcher Chan Ho Park for the 2002 season via free agency—he lasted only three seasons and his ERA never dipped below 5.46.
Prior to Christmas, the Vancouver Canucks signed prized free agent centre Mats Sundin to a reported $5 million deal for half of the season, and while the former Toronto Maple Leaf captain had yet to crack the 10-game mark, his presence hasn’t provided a spark for the Canucks.
Ever since Sundin made his Vancouver debut on January 7, Vancouver has played in seven games, and has been an abysmal 1–4–2 but is no. 13 the reason the Canucks are having bad luck?
A 1–4–2 record would seem to point to yes but if you really look closely, the Canucks new player hasn’t had enough time to get adjusted yet and he’s not the only one.
Defense wins games and nowhere is that more evident than in hockey—if you don’t have good goaltending, chances are you won’t win many games.
The Canucks have arguably the best goalie in the league in Roberto Luongo, who was 11–5–2 prior to a game against the Penguins in Pittsburgh on November 22.
Luongo suffered a groin injury in that fateful game and only returned to the lineup three games ago. He is 0–1–1 since returning and is rusty. The Canucks went 10–12–3 in his absence.
And much like his goalie, rust is also something Sundin has been trying to shake off.
Prior to his Vancouver debut, the last action Sundin saw was at the end of the 2007–08 season with Toronto—eight months without game action—however the newest Canuck has shown a pulse lately.
While Sundin failed to register a point in his first two games, he has points in three of his last five—two goals and an assist—and in last Sunday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, no. 13 put a beautiful back-hander past Steve Mason in the second period of what would end up as a 6–5 shootout loss.
But even though he still needs to get up to speed with his teammates, who are in midseason form, Sundin believes Vancouver has the horses to compete.
“I think we have all the players here to be a playoff team and be a good team that can go far in the playoffs,” Sundin said after the Columbus game.
“I think we all have to help out and keep the puck out of the net, that’s the most important thing.”
Although some fans are calling for head coach Alain Vigneault to be fired in the midst of the team’s slump, the coach seems confident that once his two star players are back in the groove, the team’s play will pick up.
“But those are real professionals, you’re talking about Roberto, you’re talking about Mats, and any other guy on our team,” Vigneault said on the team’s Web site.
“They’re working extremely hard to get on track and that’s why we, as coaches or management, are going to be behind those players.”
We’re confident that when they do get their game to where it needs to be we’re going to get on a roll.”
With the key injuries it might be best to reserve judgment on the team until after the all-star break.
