Last Days of the Sundin Era?

No Leaf captain has retired in a Toronto uniform as captain since George Armstrong.

Now, we'll find out if Mats Sundin will be the latest to wear the "C" and be shunted out of town before he hangs 'em up.

Dave Keon, Darryl Sittler, Rick Vaive, Rob Ramage, Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour all captained the Leafs, but were sent packing for something that was supposed to be better at the time. In Keon's case, he was just allowed to leave to the WHA, although he would have preferred a trade to Long Island. Clark and Gilmour, of course, both played their last NHL games for the Leafs, but neither was wearing the "C" at the time.

Does it matter if Sundin gets to retire as a Leaf? The reality is, that is almost a quaint concept in an era in which money and contracts dictate where players play as much as loyalty or anything else.

TSN is reporting today that Leaf interim GM Cliff Fletcher has asked Sundin for a list of teams he would considering waiving his no-trade clause to join. The Star's Kevin McGran, meanwhile, confirmed with Fletcher that he had met with both Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, and Bryan McCabe today. While 29 other teams would be good fits, it's almost impossible to guess which Sundin might actually select, if any.

Anaheim and Detroit, of course, are top teams, but would he want to go to either city? Peter Forsberg didn't.

Vancouver has the Sedin twins, Matthias Ohlund and Markus Naslund, so there's lots of Swedish content there. But would that in and of itself attract the Leaf captain, particularly given he's played his entire career in the east?

It seems unlikely Ottawa would even get a chance to bid on Sundin. But what about Montreal, given that Sundin did once play in Quebec City.

And if he's really considering re-signing with the Leafs again in the summer even if he's traded away, you'd have to figure he'd prefer not to go too far.

New Jersey?

It's all a total guessing game. As it's been for months.

Still, with Atlanta tomorrow night or a visit to Ottawa on Monday looming as possibly Sundin's last game in a Leaf uniform, speculation is about to reach a fever pitch. And I don't hear Fletcher denying that he's trying to move the big fella by Tuesday.

Comments

[Ken]

I think other players like McCabe and Tucker need to be pressured to get out of town too! Where's the media focus on them?? I heard from another website that there are 3 offers for Tucker and yet he is not willing to waive his clause!!! The media need to pressure him to waive his clause because right now he is useless for the Leafs!

[King Leary]

If Mats wants to stay, lets afford him the respect he deserves and honour his wishes.

If he would consider moving, then let's get it done as quickly and painlessly as possible.

[Geoff]

If Sundin does waive his no trade clause and move on I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't want to come back. If we take what Sundin says at face value, and I think we can, then the reason he signed a one-year is because he wants to be playing at a level he's comfortable with. How many players has he watched come to this team, their glory days behind them, only to flounder and fade off the roster? He doesn't want to be the next great leaf to leave and come back, even if the circumstances are little bit different. He wants to play through his career with dignity and pride, and end it on his own terms before he feels he's struggling to keep up. His pride won't allow him to become a rental player, to come in to a strange new group of guys and fake his way to a championship. If he was forced to go (he clearly would rather stay) then I think he might look for a new home for his talents altogether. I also think he would be perfectly within his rights to do so.

[EGL]

Mats has been a loyal and classy guy all his years as a leaf but i think it is time for very tough love for him and the other no trade players.
This team needs a complete overhaul and get rid of this constant
mediocre play.
If Mats wants to stay CLIFF should say fine the last game we have a Mats night with all the trimmings and an honourable tthanks for the memories enjoy your retirement night.
Mcabe should be told waive or you sit until your contract expires.
Kubina and Tucker waive or you go on waivers Saturday at 2 pm which means you will get added to some other bad team with no choice by tuesday.
It may be harsh but we need to clean house and send the message that we need new blood and the old blood was not getting it done so good luck wherever you end up.
Maybe this would wake those guys up and give them a chance to be dealt to a contender instead of just shown the door.
Cliff may be too nice and classy for a shake up manager where i am sure if it was Burke he would be tough enough to admit the dead wood must be cleared out no matter what it takes.
I am a big Leaf fan but i know this group has shown the last 3 years it stinks and too many guys are proving they do not mind losing here rather than play for a cup contender.
That is enough to tell me they do not have what it takes to be winners and that they enjoy playing golf as much as they do hockey.
The teams that are true contenders never put up with lacklustre
players and get rid of them.
This is a team game and it must always be remembered that the good of the team as a whole always comes first if you want to be champions.

[smokey]

There should be no question that Sundin stay with the Leafs. He negotiated a contract in good faith and unless he initiates a trade request he should be left alone.

It is very doubtful clubs will repat the epprs of the past to and provide a lot fora rental player anyways. As for loads of draft picks, that he is a chancey game at best and who wants to wait for 5 years to see. There is a very fine line between those clubs at the top...teams who miss one year can often do well the next. Lookat Kovalev...Habs fans wanted to run him out of towm...bet they are happy he is still there.

[Brian]

To me it is up to Mats if he does not want to go then it is his choice, then sign him to a 2 year deal and let him retire a Leaf . I feel he will be traded to Ottawa that is my feeling,but I have meet the so called great Sittler and well he is a well I cannot type what he is it will be banded but Mats from what I heard is a great person and to me he is the greatest Leaf Capatain .

[Graeme Brown]

I listen to a lot of sports radio (too much) and hear the argument that Sundin should want to win a Stanley Cup at all costs. I for one felt that when Ray Bourque left Boston to win a cup in Colorado and then brought it back to Boston to display was a little pathetic. The mercenary's cup is not nearly as respected as the player who works for years (or at least one year) to win it for his team. If Sundin were to win a cup with Detroit or Calgary or Anaheim he wouldn't be winning it for himself but those players who are already there. That being said for this team to move on he does need to go. A tear rolls down my cheek.

[Bob]

Hey Mats, as in perenial door mats, You are the perfect example of what`s wrong with the Maple Leafs. A swede with absolutely no desire to win, leading a team of losers. Sundin shows up, like the rest of his cohorts, once in a blue moon. They`ll play a decent game to get the media and the fans off their backs. Then go back into hiding knowing full well the stupid Toronto fans will go, (Oh that Sundin he`s the best, aren`t we lucky we have him on our team.) Whereas, if Sundin played on a real team, he`d have to perform every game, not just when he felt like it. Good players make everyone around them better (Yzerman, Gretzky, Lemieux)Sundin hasn`t made a single player better during his time in Toronto. Doug Gilmore made a fifty goal scorer out of Andreychuk for three years. If Sundin feels uncomfortable playing for a winner, then trade him and the others to another loser. Toronto will never be a winner until you get rid of anyone, player or management, that doesn`t have that win at all costs mentality.

[Jenny]

I agree with many of the comments posted earlier emphasizing Mat's choice to do what he wants. He has said it over and over again that he doesn't want to go, yet it seems to fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile other players, (kaberle,Tucker, etc), have said no way...and the media and even Cliff Fletcher, has left them alone. This is utterly disgusting the way this has gone on. Thank you Damien for acknowledging that Mats is and has always been first-class. Makes me contemplate sometimes if us fans and the organization deserve him...We are so quick to boo our own players when they aren't doing well and embrace them when they are! As a fan for a long, long time, I've seen many, many games that our team has played awesome! And times when they haven't. That is the game of hockey...
If anybody out there wants to show their support to Mats to stay in Toronto, please view the video i posted on You Tube called Mats Sundin Unbelievable January 2008.

[Blue Max]

I think Mats should remember how he got here in the first place; the Leafs gave up one of the most loved captains ever to get him in the Blue-and-white.

Now he has a chance to make more impact than all the game-winners he scored combined. Sure, maybe being a rental feels a bit like being prostituted, but think about it this way: California is a beautifull state, and my dream is to visit for a few months, but would anyone pay me a few million dollars and hand me Lord Stanley's Cup while I'm there? Naaah! Not a chance!

This city made you a multi-millionaire Mats. All you got to do is live in luxury, and in georgeous weather for a few months, while you give your beloved Leafs a chance to improve their future.

Give us a chance, will ya?

[Fred S]

I have to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs are truly one of the most inept sports organizations anywhere (and being a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks for over 40 years, I know one when I see one).

They bring back old Cliff Fletcher as a stop gap GM even though the game has passed him by even before the new CBA, apparently because his name still has credibility & even some cache among Leaf nation thanks to their collective memory of the last so-called "glory" days of Leafs in the early 1990s under a much different CBA and business model.

Ironically, the stop gap GM position was made necessary by the same people who were in charge of hiring a young, inexperienced & unqualified GM several years ago, brought in to run a team that management has successfully convinced many in Leaf nation to believe to be the most prestigious franchise in the NHL. Ferguson never stood a chance from day one on the job, yet those whose poor judgment resulted in his hiring are still making those types of decisions even now.

And apparently the latest decision has been made to rebuild & retool at the expense of the one player who truly lived up to the hype of what the Leafs’ organization has been successfully overselling to generations of fans despite its obvious on-ice failures.

Now they have decided to grease the Toronto media machine and work it into a frenzy (not that hard to do unfortunately) and use it to help create unjust & likely unbearable public pressure on Sundin so that he relents and agrees to "take one for the team" by allowing the Leafs' incompetent management to sell him to the highest bidder - incompetent since it is clear they have made this decision without properly thinking through all the potential consequences.

Already, there are reports that Sundin is very conflicted - trying to come to terms with having given his all for 13 or 14 years to an undeserving organization that now is not appreciative of his dedication & loyalty. Further, there are reports that some teams are no longer interested in acquiring Sundin, whether it is because he would only be a rental for which the asking price would be too high, or that they don't think Sundin, given his & reluctance & hesitation, will be able to adjust quickly & well enough to a new team after having his heart ripped apart in such a cold way by the Leafs.

The longer term potential impact is no less important. Current Leaf players, especially the younger ones who represent the future of the team, presumably all look up to Sundin (as well they should), have been made party to the this fiasco, and can see first hand how this organization is now treating its only true blue star & long time captain - a player that many of them probably grew up watching on TV and hoping to be like some day. The lessons they are learning in this episode of Leafs history aren't constructive for the Leafs' organization or their future and I suspect these lessons won't be lost on these still impressionable players anytime soon, which ironically could put at risk the very rebuilding & retooling Leaf management is presumably desirous of.

In summary, the Toronto Maple Leafs are essentially sacrificing their best player - a model captain who is also loyal and dedicated to the community (i.e., their best advertisement for profitably selling a bad product) to give them an opportunity to acquire draft picks, draft wisely, develop their prospects, and replenish the pipeline – something, which had they done all along, would have avoided this predicament.

With this latest “strategic maneuver” of letting out the media dogs to relentlessly eat up their captain, the Leafs have proven themselves undeserving of Mats Sundin decency & class and instead, together with Leaf Nation, deserving of another 40 years of ineptness by their abuse of their most valuable asset.

Frankly, I hope Sundin doesn't waive his no-trade clause, and leaves as a FA in the summer - that would truly be a fitting rebuke to the betrayal he is being asked to accept on behalf of an inept organization so they can avoid further justified criticism while he avoids the ironic treachery of being labeled a betrayer himself should he decide to abide by all of the terms of his contract and remain in Toronto.

The irony of listening to Leaf nation unfairly blame Sundin for not “helping” inept management try to cover up their past failures by not allowing them to renege on their commitment to him (& his team) would be delicious – and they’ll have gotten what they deserve – more ineptness from an inept organization.

[Michael]

I guess at the end of the day these Maple Leafs with no-trade clauses are no different than the " Leafs Nation" of fans who over-value anything Blue & White.

Lets take stock. This team is heading into it's 3rd year out of the playoffs. A terrible era under any measurement. And now, McCabe and Tucker say they want to be part of the solution. So they hold onto these no-trade clauses with an iron fist. But....we now expect a "rebuilding" phase. Meaning we're conceding a 4th and an easily 5th season out of the playoffs.

Get it? Toronto is the perfect place for these guys to stay. There will be no pressure at all. They get to play the role of over-payed pylons who handcuffed any real hope at rebuilding this mess.

Sundin gets a pass from me. At least I know he's trying.

[Sandy T.]

Fred, you have hit the proverbial nail upon its little round head. What's going on here is nothing more than a crude hack job attempting to make Mats Sundin the scapegoat for this organisation's deeply troubled management team.

I would only make one correction your fine post... where you say - "to help create unjust & likely unbearable public pressure on Sundin so that he relents and agrees to "take one for the team" - I would alter it to read "take one for the team - again".

The short memory crew tends to forget the captain already took a hit last year when he agreed to waive his old contract in order to sign a new one with a smaller cap hit - something he didn't have to do. That JFJ then wasted that money(and more) on a 34 year old one-hit wonder is hardly Mats' fault.

I'm with Mats when he says:
"It's not my job to fix John Ferguson's mistakes."
That's probably the most honest thing I've heard him say publicly regarding his wishes and his true feelings and it's refreshing to hear him say it.

As to those are dreaming in Technicolour believing they can pressure Sundin to force him out of town and then watch him return as a free agent with a new contract on July 1st, you're delirious.

After this trip through the abattoir, he will never be back. Whether he signs with his new team or simply hangs 'em up, there's no way on earth anyone with as much self-respect as Mats Sundin would return to an organisation and 'fans' who have treated him as shamefully as he has been treated here in the last few months, so you can put that 'cake and eat it too' idea out of your tiny little minds right now.

In fact, I'm ready to go so far as to say I don't think he plays another year in Toronto even if he stays through the end of this one. And I couldn't blame him a bit if that was his decision. It would be mine.

These are sorry days in Leafland - for any number of reasons - and as long as this ownership team is in charge, trying to do things the easy way, attempting to correct their mistakes through the abuse of their most loyal retainers, it doesn't look as if they'll be getting better anytime soon.

BTW, I think the last Leaf who began as a Leaf, played his entire career in Toronto and retired as a Leaf(no, not captain) was Ron Ellis - and folks, that was almost thirty years ago. What a wonderful tradition we've watched being built at the "Cash Box". Bah.

[Steve]

Enough already. As is always the case, this city dramatically overvalues its' own. Leaving out the lockout season and this year, Sundin has averaged 30 goals and 45 assists for a team that he has led beyond the 2nd round 2 times, in this, his 13th campaign. He has been the best player on what, for the most part, has been a mediocre club. There are no defining moments of him leading them through a brick wall or him raising the level of performance around him. But in this day and age, not being disruptive or placing one self above the group apparently means being 'classy'. Perhaps this could instead mean winning isn't that important, and being worshipped where 'pressure' doesn't mean unsold seats or public apathy, just a sea of microphones to continually ask you something that could have been decided one way or other weeks ago. Same goes for his similarly satisfied, overpaid, movement-restricted teammates.

[Jenny]

All i can say is a huge Thank-you(!) Fred S for your comments. I believe your comments "hit the nail on the head" on how many of us loyal Leaf fans feel about the way the organization has treated Mats. Yeah, I agree, they have certainly sent a powerful message to the young players on the team...give your heart and soul, be first-class, be loyal and then, in the end, thrown to the wolves. If Fletcher and the organization had any class whatsoever, they would have spoken to Mats earlier, acknowledged what he has been saying and taken him at his word. Instead, they have orchestrated a media campaign to try to make him "the bad guy" when all he wants to do is to live up to his end of the contract. I agree with you Fred: A cup isn't in the future for this organization because the management don't have the class and will never pass a "smell test".

[Dave A]

I could not have said it better, I agree 100%.

I have to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs are truly one of the most inept sports organizations anywhere (and being a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks for over 40 years, I know one when I see one).

They bring back old Cliff Fletcher as a stop gap GM even though the game has passed him by even before the new CBA, apparently because his name still has credibility & even some cache among Leaf nation thanks to their collective memory of the last so-called "glory" days of Leafs in the early 1990s under a much different CBA and business model.

Ironically, the stop gap GM position was made necessary by the same people who were in charge of hiring a young, inexperienced & unqualified GM several years ago, brought in to run a team that management has successfully convinced many in Leaf nation to believe to be the most prestigious franchise in the NHL. Ferguson never stood a chance from day one on the job, yet those whose poor judgment resulted in his hiring are still making those types of decisions even now.

And apparently the latest decision has been made to rebuild & retool at the expense of the one player who truly lived up to the hype of what the Leafs’ organization has been successfully overselling to generations of fans despite its obvious on-ice failures.

Now they have decided to grease the Toronto media machine and work it into a frenzy (not that hard to do unfortunately) and use it to help create unjust & likely unbearable public pressure on Sundin so that he relents and agrees to "take one for the team" by allowing the Leafs' incompetent management to sell him to the highest bidder - incompetent since it is clear they have made this decision without properly thinking through all the potential consequences.

Already, there are reports that Sundin is very conflicted - trying to come to terms with having given his all for 13 or 14 years to an undeserving organization that now is not appreciative of his dedication & loyalty. Further, there are reports that some teams are no longer interested in acquiring Sundin, whether it is because he would only be a rental for which the asking price would be too high, or that they don't think Sundin, given his & reluctance & hesitation, will be able to adjust quickly & well enough to a new team after having his heart ripped apart in such a cold way by the Leafs.

The longer term potential impact is no less important. Current Leaf players, especially the younger ones who represent the future of the team, presumably all look up to Sundin (as well they should), have been made party to the this fiasco, and can see first hand how this organization is now treating its only true blue star & long time captain - a player that many of them probably grew up watching on TV and hoping to be like some day. The lessons they are learning in this episode of Leafs history aren't constructive for the Leafs' organization or their future and I suspect these lessons won't be lost on these still impressionable players anytime soon, which ironically could put at risk the very rebuilding & retooling Leaf management is presumably desirous of.

In summary, the Toronto Maple Leafs are essentially sacrificing their best player - a model captain who is also loyal and dedicated to the community (i.e., their best advertisement for profitably selling a bad product) to give them an opportunity to acquire draft picks, draft wisely, develop their prospects, and replenish the pipeline – something, which had they done all along, would have avoided this predicament.

With this latest “strategic maneuver” of letting out the media dogs to relentlessly eat up their captain, the Leafs have proven themselves undeserving of Mats Sundin decency & class and instead, together with Leaf Nation, deserving of another 40 years of ineptness by their abuse of their most valuable asset.

Frankly, I hope Sundin doesn't waive his no-trade clause, and leaves as a FA in the summer - that would truly be a fitting rebuke to the betrayal he is being asked to accept on behalf of an inept organization so they can avoid further justified criticism while he avoids the ironic treachery of being labeled a betrayer himself should he decide to abide by all of the terms of his contract and remain in Toronto.

The irony of listening to Leaf nation unfairly blame Sundin for not “helping” inept management try to cover up their past failures by not allowing them to renege on their commitment to him (& his team) would be delicious – and they’ll have gotten what they deserve – more ineptness from an inept organization.

[Peter Hawkins]

Simple fact is, like pretty much everything else they've done this season, Leafs management can't get this right. However it works out, it stinks

[L. Lafleur]

The Leafs should hang on to Mats unless they get an incredible offer for his services. I don't see this happening. He's the heart and soul of the team & it still has a chance to make the playoffs with over 20 games left. Hang on to McCabe & Kubina also. We saw how poorly the team played when McCabe was out. The only player i'd let go (and give-away) is Andrew Raycroft & his big contract. This team isn't as bad as the standings indicate. It can rival any team on any given night when healthy. But please: hang on to those #1 & #2 draft picks!

[Frank P]

Mats, don't go.

[Michael]

I really think Sundin should think if he's retiring after this season or if he will play again next season. That's so simple. If this is his last year of his career then I don't think people will force him to go unless he wants to. I think lots of people appreciate and want him to retire as a leaf.

But if he decided to play again next season for the leafs again then I see no reason that he can't do the leafs a favour for being a rental player and get some good young players back. This is something the clever fan want it. He's in his end of the contract then why not take advantage to get some value back?

If he wants to be a leafs and play next season but not waive his no-trade clause that this really means he is just a selfish person and also he is not a winner so then I don't want him play for the leafs ever again. That's so simple!!! Can he just do a little favour for the leafs and the fans? Is it really a punishment to have a chance to win a cup and then come back to us again with a much improvement next year?

[DonHamel]

Why would he sign a one-year deal, with a no-trade clause, and then the team expect him to waive it? WHy was he given such a clause on a one-year term??

[Rick]

Of course it comes down to Sundin deciding his own fate....and I know and appreciate his loyalty to the Leafs.
Having said that, wouldn't he be just a little intrigued to see how he could perform with another team who would be able to supply him with skilled linemates and not the rag tag group that he has had to endure all these years?
Not to mention the very real possibility of having his name on the Stanley Cup....something that won't happen in Toronto for who knows how long......

[Craig]

Would anyone expect an NHL player to play for less money than they had negotiated in their contract? Lets respect the fact that Mats negotiated a no-trade clause in good faith, as part of his last contract. It was part of the deal. If we don't want players making the ultimate decision about trades, then we need to look to management and question their strategy, not the individual who is exercising a part of his contract. The reality of no trade clauses is that they often involve key players who are valuable assets. There aren't any surprises here. To try and lean on Mats to waive the clause is disrespectful of the contributions he has made in Toronto, and takes the honus off of the team's management who are ultimately responsible for the entire situation. That said, I do believe that the best thing for the Leafs would be to trade for future prospects, but I don't think for a second that Mats Sundin is responsible for making this happen.

[robaudio]

"Good players make everyone around them better (Yzerman, Gretzky, Lemieux" Bob - lesson #1; when quoting history, look at all of the facts and not only the parts that are convenient to your point of view. For ex. Yzerman the great Canadian leader was chastised for years for not winning and pulling his team through, much like people as yourself do now. When Yzerman got a good team around him, they won. For the most part, it has been easy for years to shut down the Leafs - key your best players on Sundin and do not worry about the rest. Lets see how Gretzky and Lemieux would have done with weak teams - oh wait...they did not win either! Hockey is a team sport.

It is kind of funny to see people wanting the player to fix the organizations' problems - when it comes to that you know you are in deep trouble. Whats next, asking Mats to choose who should be taken with the draft pick he may return? Perhap the good from all of this will be th epressure form management types not to freely give out restrictive clauses like the no-trade clause which of current Leafs, only Mats should have ever been offered one.

Sundin will probably go, but this is certainly looking like an ending Ballard would have loved and authored.

[Mike]

Damien:

Please you have to get it out there that Cliff should be playing hard ball with these guys if they are all saying they won't waive. He should threaten to waive them if they don't waive their no trades and if no one claims them they will be sent to the minors. If they are claimed then at least we shed their contracts for free agency. Waive one player and tell the others they will follow if they don't agree. The team should not be held hostage. This is ridiculous and seems could only happen to the Leafs that they would have 5 or 6 players with bad contracts and give them no trades and then have them not waive when they are going to come in the bottom 4 in the league. What will happen next year if all they guys are still here?