Mats Sundin's contract extension talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs took an unexpected turn this week with a report he might be facing a career-threatening hip injury.

The Toronto Sun reported Tuesday Sundin might be considering surgery for a torn labrum, an injury similar to that which plagued the final seasons of Sundin's former teammate Alexander Mogilny.
Surgery failed to correct Mogilny's injury and ultimately led to his retirement, and the paper suggested Sundin might face a similar prospect, which could have an impact upon his contract talks with the Leafs.

That generated a furious response from Leafs management and the Sundin camp, denying then downplaying the story, claiming the ailment was a minor one that wouldn't hamper his future performance. Sundin even suggested to his agent that whoever leaked the story did so to sabotage his contract talks with the Leafs.

The club presently has a one-year club option on Sundin but is seeking a more affordable, long-term deal with him. It doesn't appear at this point that this story will prevent the Leafs from re-signing the popular captain, their most marketable player.

If indeed the intent was to discourage the Leafs from re-signing Sundin, it could perhaps have the opposite effect.

Critics of the Leafs efforts to retain Sundin should remember that, if his hip condition does worsen and sidelines him for any significant period of time his salary would not count against the cap.

If like Mogilny it forces him into retirement, the remainder of Sundin's salary would be written off. That's how the New Jersey Devils, Mogilny's final NHL team, managed to avoid the final year of his contract counting against this year's cap.

The Calgary Sun recently examined potential off-season roster changes for the Flames.
Unrestricted free agents Tony Amonte, Darren McCarty, Marcus Nilson, Jeff Friesen, Byron Ritchie, Jamie McLennan and Brent Krahn aren't expected t return. The paper claimed Flames GM Darryl Sutter will attempt to retain forward Wayne Primeau and defenseman Roman Hamrlik but probably can't afford both. It also said blueliner Brad Stuart will probably cost too much to retain, and forward Matt Lombardi might be traded.

If it comes down to a choice between Primeau and Hamrlik, Sutter will probably retain the latter, whose experience has had a positive impact upon the development of young defense star Dion Phaneuf.

As for Lombardi, he's re-signed a two-year contract extension with the Flames and given his improvement this past season it's doubtful he'll be dealt.

Stuart could command up to $5 million per season as a UFA this summer so his tenure with the Flames appears to be a short one.

The Flames aren't the only team facing roster decisions over the summer. A report in the Dallas Morning News recently examined the contract status of several Stars players.
Stu Barnes and Darryl Sydor, both eligible for UFA status, are expected to return, and GM Doug Armstrong hinted at possibly re-signing Ladislav Nagy, acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes before the trade deadline.

Restricted free-agent forward Mike Ribeiro hopes to avoid salary arbitration with the club this summer, while injuries might force forwards Eric Lindros and Matthew Barnaby into retirement.