Nothing Has Changed

It's dangerous to listen to anybody but Mats Sundin when it comes to Sundin's hockey future.

Most everyone other than the man himself believes he's going to play this season, including his agent, despite the fact Sundin has never said any such thing. People seem to believe his absence from the game is similar to Ken Dryden's one-year absence from the crease of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970s, that he'll be back simply because he's good enough to be back.

Since this all began last spring, I've only heard the sounds of a player who wants to retire, but can't quite bring himself to officially call it a day. He doesn't know if he can do it anymore, or wants to do it anymore. Perhaps unsaid is a desire not to do a Scott Niedermayer or a Brett Favre, not to retire and then unretire months later.

In an intriguing interview with The Star's Rosie Dimanno, Sundin continues to sound that way, at least to these ears. Interestingly, he indicated that while his family wants him to play and his agent wants him to play, he doesn't necessarily want to play.

Look, folks, this is a tough league to play in, and nearly impossible unless you're really into it. It's a difficult grind, and the demands of being the captain in Toronto are heavy.

The demands of being a significant player in New York or Montreal are pretty heavy as well.

Since this all started, I've urged people to listen to what Sundin says, not to media pundits or close friends. Don't imagine that dropping the puck in Stockholm or going to see his doctor means anything unless Sundin says it does. Far from enjoying all the conversation about his future, he likely wishes people would just imagine he was on a trip to Mars until he chooses to re-join the hockey fray. He's never wavered, and now he's certainly not saying his misses the game or the competition or the comaraderie.

He's always sounded like a guy who wants to retire, and never like a player who is dying to play again.

He just doesn't have the heart to break it to people.

Comments

[Peter]

damien,

for a change i agree with you completly. this is what he was saying all along, and it seems some people either can't here or doesn't understand what he's saying. it must be maddening for him to read all the stupid comments and rumours about him coming back or not and what he should do. it is called being a free agent, he can do whatever he wants to. if and when he decides to come back he will be a tremendous addition to any team. and if he retires, then they can start collecting the votes for the HOF.

[Bruce]

I think you're right on with this Damien. This is probably the only time in his career that he's had to make a decision on his own, and is having difficulty with being sure what is the correct choice.
My opinion is he should retire, it's been a great career.

[Adam C]

I've been very amused by the number of people who "know" what Sundin is going to do. He's going to follow the money, he's going to chase the Cup, he's going to come back to the Leafs because he loves them - all expressed with certainty and conviction.

The only person who knows what Mats is going to do is Mats. That's the way it's always been for this guy. He's played his cards close to the vest for years, and yet people are still so hilariously certain.

[Steve Barnett]

All the inuendo aside Mats is still first class. Here we have a guy who says what he means and means what he says. How is this such a bad thing? Because he a Leaf thats why. The media in this town are brutal. Ask Ron Wilson what he thinks of them so far.This whole fiasco has been a product developed by the media. Did we hear this stuff with Niedermier \ Selanne? Not that i'm aware of, other than the token follow ups on the intermission segments. This is overkill being eatin up by the fans. It's as if we have a tapeworm and must keep the Mat's story alive. Feed the animal or the animal dies. And let's be honest as Cox says, does he really sound liker a guy who is dying to play again?If it happens, it happens...I say good luck Mat's and if your interested so are we. If not thanks for the service.He is\was the best player we ever had outside of Sawchuk. This will come to an end sooner or later if the media lets it. I cna hardly wait for the story about Mat's raking the leaves of his Rosedale home. Headline "Mats rakes leaves! Does this mean he is moving"?
"Film at eleven" This story is being beat to death.

[Phil Ford]

As a retired,long suffering Leaf fan (of more than 50 years), here is my view of the Sundin saga.

Mats is a much admired Leaf who has given his team much and owes them nothing. As great as he has been over the years, the Leafs should not bring him back if he decides to play again because:

1. It would be very disruptive of team chemistry and make a joke out of the notion that the team is rebuilding. Bringing back an aging star for a few months to displace a young player with potential would be typical Leaf short term thinking.

2. If his heart were truly in it, he would not still be dithering after six months. One can only conclude that it is not.

3. On the occasions when Mats was injured the rest of the team stepped up and did better than expected. The current roster is doing that also.

Bob Gainey showed us how to handle this situation when he gave Mats a deadline to show he was interested. When the deadline passed, Gainey moved on. The Leafs should follow that example and move on.

[Cameron]

Wow, I actually enjoyed this article.

This just in - hell froze over and the Cubs won the World Series.

[Vorak The Toaster]

Out with a Thud:

So when he retires, it will be anticlimactic.

Yawn.

[Damien]

Why do people even bother reading your column, Damien? Maybe I should ask myself that question. But how in the world are you in a better position to comment on what Mats Sundin wants to do than anybody off the street? Something tells me you havent spoken to the man in a decade, maybe ever, and your bias to writing negative articles about the team is longstanding. I read what you write and I'm floored... Do you have to claim the answer to everything?

A Swedish guy's living in Toronto and taking a "vacation" to California (of all places) and choosing to remain in the spotlight, if only proven by the fact that he's answering questions for a reporter? Doesn't sound to me like a guy who wants to retire, whether his heart is in it or not! It may be a real grind for people like us to 'lead' teams in Montreal, Toronto or New York, but this is all the guy's known in his adult life. I don't believe it'd be as hard for him as it'd be for us regular joes. It's all he's ever known!

If this was about Mats simply not having the "heart" to tell people he doesn't want to play anymore- as you claim- I'd submit him for a psychiatric evaluation. But I don't think it is; it's probably just another one of those angles you need to take to cause us to wonder what planet you're from!

[Hab in Vancouver]

I think us Leaf-haters don't hate the players or the Maple Leaf team per se, we actually more despise the classless losers that are the Leaf's ownership and administration. Leafs ownership and top brass are like the uncle in your family that you cringe having for dinner solely because, well... he's your UNCLE. The one that picks his nose at the dinner table and talks like a buffoon. He's got the BUCKS but no brains or class.

The Maple Leafs have unfortunately come to represent everything any Canadian with taste and common sense loathes about Toronto.

Yet, putting all that aside, I believe Southern Ontario can support a second team. It should not be in Toronto itself, but Hamilton or K-W/London, etc..

I say to hell about Buffalo Sabres territorial dibs on Southern Ontario fans ! Why should Hamilton or another S. Ontario market be concerned about protecting an American team if they have a sustainable market and economy of their own ? If Buffalo cant survive without fans coming across the border, then let them fold and Americans interested in NHL hockey cross over to Hamilton or London/K-W. ?

20 years ago I can understand the NHL supporting the Leafs protecting their market, but today other cities in the triangle are self-sustainable economically, and the Leafs have no problem going forward being economically viable sharing the Ontario market.

I think Balsillie and Hamilton (or other) should take the Leafs and the NHL to court to break what is today an outdated and unfair monopoly.

The NHL going forward will cure its malaise if it relocates non-viable southern American teams to the Northern United States and/or other impassioned markets in Canada dying for NHL hockey.

Cities like Quebec City, Hamilton, Seattle, and hopefully down the road Winnipeg if they can build a NHL viable arena.

In summary this Habs fan says a second team in Southern Ontario is good for the NHL and if I was Balsillie or any other investor interested to realize a re-location of a current NHL dog from the U.S. south I would be busy hiring a top-notch anti-monopoly law firm team right about now.

[Pete]

Mats wanted to retire a leaf. He's said so for ages and the no class management pressure him last year to trade his legacy so they can get a draft pick or two. There's a way to engender loyalty.

So he wants to be a leaf, but likely is having a lot of trouble getting over the slight from last year. I certainly would be.

[Vorak The Toaster]

Really, must we have more mediocre-Mats comeback musings for the next 4 months? The dressing room is healthier now than with Mats or the Muskokans on board.

Benching Blake was refreshing and makes me think of a lot games over the years where Mats (or any of his chummy fan favourite co-stars) was coasting (or making one on 4 rushes, sucking wind on the way back to the bench) and no one made an example out of him. But instead Toronto had rewarded mediocrity with more ice time - pushing newcomers to the back of the room. And teaching them and even players who would entertain coming to Toronto, that names, and not hard work would be rewarded.

Certainly, if nothing else, Wilson looks like he has the cojones to coach in this town. Blake is no Mats, but finally those who are paid to play like winners are being held accountable.

Say no to Mats coming back - his best days were in Quebec, surrounded by far better players and even then he was getting reamed on the bench by Pierre Page for not showing up. His passion, so little in evidence during his Leaf playing days (not to be confused with his point totals or ice time, or power play ice-time!), has completely dried up.

His only use was as trade bait to improve the team's future and despite his claims of team loyalty, he scuttled that.

He should find it easier to commit to coach Sweden's national team - he always seemed more into hockey when it came to his national team.

[Canadian_Chief]

I like than Mr.Cox added the addendum with his comment on: "Look, folks, this is a tough league to play in, and nearly impossible unless you're really into it." Because we all saw alot of players on last season's version of the Leafs who were "playing" in the league but were far from "into it". Thank Cliff they're now gone and collecting money from other unsuspecting general managers.

[Which is it?]

Does he "not have the heart to tell people" that he wants to retire?

Or is he a straight shooter who's always "said what he means and means what he said"?

Don't claim he's a straight shooter and then say he's holding back, they don't really add up.

[Ray Brewer]

For a change this Leaf article isn't negative but to say he is going to retire is a stretch..His own agent said he thinks Sundin will play...Mats said he wants to retire a Leaf..He has always been a man of his word so if he plays this season, it will be in Toronto..

[FRT]

All I know after watching the "new young" Leafs 2-weeks into the season is that Mr. MeMeMe Mats would look totally out of place on this team. The last time Sundin back-checked...Bill Clinton was having fun in the Oval Office with Monica...he would look like a turtle crossing the road with this team flying by him. YOUR DONE SUNDIN YOU BUM! YOU NEVER WON ANYTHING AND YOU NEVER WILL...GO BACK HOME TO SWEDEN AND SIT IN YOUR SAUNA!