Even the squirrels in Vancouver want to know what Mats Sundin will do. I caught this little guy outside the sliding glass door, eating a peanut and listening in to the sports talk radio station I had on the stereo. The on air discussion was based on two things: will Mats Sundin retire? If he chooses to play, where will he sign?
After an interview with J.P Barry (Sundin’s North American agent) hockey fans learned six NHL teams have expressed interest in signing Mats. We’ve also learned that a decision deadline date of August 1st was misunderstood. Mats actually meant August... sometime in August. And you could see this coming: August has now turned into September-ish.
Forget speculating where he signs, we still don’t really know if he’s going to retire or not.
Mats has been mulling over his retirement decision for some time now. I don’t blame the guy: retiring from professional sports must be a tough decision, especially for a guy like Mats who has had a very long NHL career. The joy of playing a game for millions of dollars and fans aside, what could possibly make this decision so difficult to make?
Maybe it’s the little things. Imagine the thought of not going through the NHL player’s routine anymore. Imagine leaving the teammates who went through each season with you. I can only imagine that the comfort and familiarity of having a tight group of your peers around you practically day and night would be missed. And if you think about it, the team buffer/ family scenario has been in place for these players since childhood. Is the loss of “life with the team” the biggest hurdle to overcome when choosing retirement?
Trevor Linden made his decision to retire without a fuss. Now if the Canucks could please decide about retiring his darn sweater...
When word came out he would be taking some time to think about retirement, my first instinct was to see if Mats Sundin was a Libra. Libras are known to take their time and weigh everything out when it comes to making decisions. Just look at the symbol for Libra; it’s a scale. I know about this because I have three Libras to deal with in my family. I’ve had a lifetime full of waiting around for decisions to be made.
Mats Sundin is an Aquarius. So much for that. This reminds me of Scott Niedermayer’s retire or don’t retire decision. He spent about six months working through it last season. Six months that we know of. He returned to play in December. His team, the Ducks didn’t make it past the first round of the playoffs. Scott’s a Virgo. If it means anything, the NFL’s Brett Favre is a Libra. He officially retired, then changed his mind and added some juicy drama to the NFL’s pre- season as he maneuvered to get back in.
I realize it’s a big decision to make. I’ve retired from a few careers myself. So, I’ve put together a quick and dirty guide for players who struggle with the decision; retire or don’t retire?
Lisa’s Helpful Guide to Making the Right Retirement Decision
Time
The most important factor in making a decision is the time you allow for making it.
Don’t think about it for too long!!! If you can’t make the decision to retire in two weeks, then don’t retire. Fourteen days is enough time to decide anything. Pick a time; make any and all necessary decision making plans, focus and get’er done!
What Could Be Worse?
Imagine the worst job you can think of. Something like hosing down portable bathrooms for eight hours a day. In Edmonton. Yeah, your job doesn’t seem so tough now, does it?
Talk to Someone who has Already left the Biz. I mean really left.
Track down someone who retired and never looked back. Look into their eyes and listen to their story. Chances are they have no regrets. Remember, the business you leave behind will still chug along fine without you. It did without them, didn’t it?
Visit a Psychic
If you are really having trouble deciding, talk to a Psychic. The Universe might have other plans for you. And good plans, too. Perhaps the very thought of retirement is the action required to be guided to those good plans.
Maybe a Sabbatical is in order
If, after trying the steps above, you are undecided after two weeks, and still aren’t sure about returning to play, do yourself and everybody around you a favor, and take a sabbatical for one year. If you can, remove yourself for the duration of the normal business year. In other words, don’t pull a Scott Niedermayer!!
In Memory... Little Squirrel
Just a few days after this photo was taken, Little Squirrel past away in a sudden accident. He was a lively, curious little guy who had several human friends in the neighborhood (especially Debra, the peanut provider).
He will be missed by all.
Life is fleeting...
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