Jonas Gustavsson is going to wait [Updated]

by Art Middleton on Jun 30, 2009 1:51 PM CDT in Free Agency Comment 10 comments

Turns out Jonas wants to wait and see just who would be playing in front of him before making a final choice on an NHL team.

As reported earlier today by Sportsnet.ca, 24 year old Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson is going to put his decision to sign with an NHL team on hold for a little bit...

Gustavsson's agent Joe Resnick told Hockeycentral "It's highly unlikely we'll commit before 12 noon Wednesday. With so many teams potentially making major changes to their rosters, maybe it's best to wait and watch it unfold first."

The report goes on to list four teams - Dallas, Toronto, Colorado and San Jose - still in contention for Gustavsson's services.

[UPDATE by Brandon Worley, 06/30/09 2:45 PM EDT ] TSN.ca has a slightly different quote from Resnick, stating another reason for the delayed decision:

"It's been a hectic and busy time for Jonas," Joe Resnick told TSN. "With his mother passing away recently, he really just needs some time to take stock of things. There's no point in rushing into a decision. All we know at this point is his decision will come after July 1."

While I certainly have sympathy for Gustavsson and I understand how tough this decision must be for him, this delay is putting the contending teams in a very tough spot. If the Stars, Maple Leafs or Avalanche go after a free agent goaltender for backup or starting purposes, then such a move could potentially sway Gustavsson from choosing that team. However, if the teams try to hold out and wait on his decision but not get picked, then they could have missed out the best free agent goaltenders and will really be in a world of hurt. This especially applies to the Stars and Avalanche.

A delay in his decision almost plays directly into the favor of Toronto who can wait on his decision (although their in-house options arent' exactly great, at least they have two goalies already). Dallas and Colorado cannot wait too much longer.

Thanks to DBD reader hughjorgan for the TSN update.

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Comments

If he’s waiting to see what the rosters look like on Thursday morning, all indications from Nieuwendyk are that ours will be the same.

If Toronto makes a big splash then does that put them ahead?

Apparently he’s more concerned about winning than previously indicated. Or maybe he is just really struggling with the decision.

by Brad Gardner on Jun 30, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

I don’t see him signing at all in the next two weeks or so if he is truly wanting to wait and see what prospective teams do. The July 1st Free Agent day isn’t quite the massive signing day as it used to be and it could take a day or two before we find out where players are headed.

by Art Middleton on Jun 30, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

This is kind of bothersome to me. How could they wait until the day before Free Agency to tell everyone that they want to wait because of the big changes coming to the rosters of the four teams he’s interested in. Gustavsson and Resnick knew this was going to happen a long time ago …

If you are going to tell the world to expect a decision before July 1st, then uphold that. Don’t drop this on us at the last minute. Now I have no idea what’s going on or what he’s thinking.

I still say Dallas will win his services due to aforementioned reasons.

I agree, he obviously cares about winning and being on a team that is competitive more than we thought.

by TheAvalancheGuild on Jun 30, 2009 10:22 AM CDT reply actions

4 teams are after this guy, and 26 teams are going to shore up their situation in goal regardless of what happens here.

This puts Dallas at a bit of a disadvantage then if we lose out on him. We need someone else to backup Marty, and the good ones might be gone by the time this guy makes up his mind.

by Brad Gardner on Jun 30, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

Different Reason for the delay

TSN.ca is reporting that the Monster has delayed his decision due to the recent passing of his mother, not because of second guessing who will be on the ice in front of him.

by hughjorgan on Jun 30, 2009 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the update.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jun 30, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

So say we dont get him....

Who do you all think will be our backup next year to Marty in net?

'Howard makes me fear the NKoreans less... If they shot anything at us, he’d be there to block it." - Aquaman56

by hinduplaya on Jun 30, 2009 1:56 PM CDT reply actions

BB will have a more detailed article on this tonight

But personally, I would like to get either Craig Anderson or Scott Clemmensen. I think both would be within the Stars budget, and both have the potential to be very solid for 20-25 games a year.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jun 30, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

The Monster

Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson is playing the free agent market smart
and safe.

He and his agent are playing a game of chicken and are sitting back to see which
of the four teams that are competing for him blinks first.

I think that puts the Aves at a disadvantage. Toronto has a glut
of goaltenders as it is. San Jose and Dallas are still in the running but Dallas has stronger Swedish ties.

In a nutshell, the Stars should be patient and not do anything brash.

by Robdentex on Jun 30, 2009 3:03 PM CDT reply actions

Money issues

If you were a young, promising up-and-coming goaltender, would you want to sign with a team whose owner is saying they’re going to spend closer to the salary cap bottom than the top? Sounds like a bargaining chip waiting to happen. Surely he’d get more time in Colorado.

by jabudi on Jun 30, 2009 8:52 PM CDT reply actions