The latest noise surrounding Mats Sundin is that Brian Burke wants to have a meeting with Sundin this week in Los Angeles. The Ducks would be a new suitor for Sundin, who mostly has been mentioned as a target of the Vancouver Canucks (who threw a huge two-year $20M offer at him), New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning. Most believe there is no chance he returns to Toronto.

One might come to the conclusion that Mats wants a chance to finally win a Cup before calling it quits. Anaheim would be as good a place as any, as they seem to be over their early season struggles and firing on all cylinders now. Adding Sundin to a group of stars such as Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, J.S. GIguere, Teemu Selanne (who definitely isn’t showing his age yet), Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Selke-calibre checking line anchor Samuel Pahlsson definitely would make the Ducks a cup favorite.

After experiencing the dreaded ‘Cup Hangover’ last season and playing much of the season under constant distraction related to Teemu and Scott Nieds, the Ducks found themselves out early suffering a first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Stars. You have to believe they are now hungry to get back to the top and adding another incentive (win Mats Sundin a Cup) should keep their fire burning bright as the season rages on.

The main problem, obviously, is the Ducks’ cap situation. They don’t even have the room right now to callup top prospect forward Bobby Ryan; not to mention the potential team chemistry disturbance moving multiple players to fit Sundin in.

I just cannot see Burke waiving newly acquired center (and major disappointment thus far) Brendan Morrison or trading him away as he just signed this summer and is one of Burke’s “boys” from Vancouver. Burke has shown he is nothing but classy in moving players or treating UFA acquisitions and I don’t see that changing.

Players who could be moved? Todd Marchant and Chris Kunitz spring to mind. Kunitz would attract decent enough offers from many teams and isn’t overpaid for what he brings to the table. Marchant may be slightly overpaid, but is a UFA at the end of this season and has great versatility. He also has a No-trade clause though, whcih may be an issue. One would think he might accept a move to be closer to his home; someone like Buffalo might have interest.

If both players were moved, Sundin and Bobby Ryan could see themselves getting top minutes as they should. The Ducks would have solid 1A and 1B scoring lines (moving Morrison to the left wing), along with their formidable checking line and a grinder/energy line:

Ryan - Getzlaf - Perry
Morrison - Sundin - Selanne
Moen - Pahlsson - Niedermayer
May - Carter - Sutherby/Parros

That set looks real nice to me.

If the Ducks move Kunitz, they might even dangle a two-year deal at Sundin like Selanne signed. The amount they can offer Sundin would depend at what point of the season he agrees to play, but a $6M deal halfway through the season doesn’t seem unreasonable at all.

Either way, an exciting rumor to keep track of for sure.

Well, we had quite the game against Vancouver the other night, didn’t we? A yo-yo game where we got down, got up, got down and finally lost in the 13th! round of the shootout. It was an odd outcome to be sure, as when you think of a Roberto Luongo versus J.S. Giguere matchup, you don’t really think of a 7-6 final score, do you? If you answered that you do, well all I can say is lay off the cough syrup, buddy.

Teemu, Getz and Perry kept on rolling and even though the Ducks’ five-game winning streak was snapped, they still managed to get a point and avoid a regulation loss. Jonas Hiller also got to play and looked strong in the shootout. Teemu also tied Guy Lafleur on the all-time goals list at 20th with 560 marks.

Speaking of tying records, the red-hot Finn did it again tonight against the Calgary Flames, by notching an assist on Chris Pronger’s goal moving him into a tie with the great Bobby Hull on the all-time points list with 1170. I think it’s a safe bet to say he’ll pass him this season.

On the former Duck watch, aren’t Curtis Glencross and Todd Bertuzzi playing great for the Flames right now? I always liked Glencross and even though he had impressive camps and games with Anaheim, they never really gave him a real shot in my opinion. Glad to see he’s an NHL regular though. Todd Bertuzzi on the other hand should be putting some goals into his own net when he plays us, considering we’re still paying part of his salary. I actually thought he was going to hit 35-40 goals as a Duck and that last season would be his big comeback; after all he was playing for Burke again, given top line chances with Getzlaf and Perry and had something to prove. I guess the fit just wasn’t right or he didn’t mesh with the boys, but he certainly is on a hot start in Calgary with 7 goals in 12 games. Interesting how the two Flames’ goals against us tonight in our 3-2 win came from Glencross and Bert.