Sundin or Hossa as Ducks? I don’t think so.

Rumors are starting to creep around the league about potential deadline-rentals Mats Sundin and Marian Hossa. The Ducks and Sharks have both been mentioned to be interested.

Obviously, any team in the playoff hunt should be interested, but it’s of my opinion neither player will be a Duck anytime this season. Let’s examine why.

Mats Sundin

Obviously, Sundin is a great center who plays hard and still performs near the top of the league at this stage of his career. He has stated his feelings before on how winning a Cup with another team would make it feel ‘cheap’. The chances he’ll waive his No Movement Clause (NMC) are slim, but I feel he might if it is to a contender and the team asks him to, in an effort to acquire assets to help them in the future (as a UFA, Sundin could then resign with the Leafs in the summer).

If Sundin is moved, it’ll definitely be to the West. The most likely destination I can see is Vancouver, or possibly Detroit. Anaheim has Getzlaf and Weight as their top two centers and I don’t see that changing (despite the fact Sundin is much better than Weight). Weight is starting to build chemistry with Chris Kunitz and is producing. Getzlaf, Perry and Bertuzzi are the Ducks’ top line. Sundin doesn’t have the same value playing the wing; so he’s not a good fit for the Ducks right now. I can’t see him going to the Sharks either, who have their own top centers in Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

Marian Hossa

Hossa, in my opinion, is one of the top 10 forwards in the league. He would fit very nicely on the second line with Weight and Kunitz. While defenders try and stop the Getzlaf-Perry-Bertuzzi connection, Weight and Hossa would have less attention and more space to work their plays. The thing is, I feel Teemu Selanne will be back this season. Selanne fills that right-wing spot. Hossa could potentially take Kunitz’ place on the left side of that line, but playing Kunitz on the third/fourth line would be a waste to me. The other thing is, the price for Hossa will and should be HUGE. We are talking much larger than prices paid for an injured Peter Forsberg, Ryan Smyth or Keith Tkachuk last year. I do not feel Brian Burke is prepared to pay that kind of cost for a rental. Unless some major bodies moved, Anaheim would not have any shot to resign him as a free-agent for next year (as well as keep Corey Perry).

I do think San Jose will make a solid bid for Hossa. They have proven before they are interested in rentals and while Bill Guerin didn’t take them to the Cup last season, adding Hossa will definitely make them a favorite. They also have enough young talent to offer up to Atlanta. Guys like Torrey Mitchell, Logan Couture, Devin Setoguchi, Ty Wishart and Nick Petrecki would lead the list of candidates.

If Selanne doesn’t return, Anaheim is still in good shape. They can bring Bobby Ryan back up to fill the second line right wing spot after he’s missed the chance for his games played bonus, or if Bochenski produces consistently he can have the spot. Brian Sutherby is another option, as he’d create energy and not be a defensive liability. I think Anaheim has the best shot to repeat of any Cup champion in years.