Today, without much fanfare, it was announced that Toronto Maple Leaf captain and all-time points leader Mats Sundin will not be playing tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. His sore groin is not quite right after Saturday night's win over the Montreal Canadians.
Fellow centre Kyle Wellwood has also been scratched from tonight’s line-up also and his season has been deemed over as his post-surgery hernia needs some rest and relaxation. He will miss the Maple Leafs last three games.
As for long-time Maple Leaf Sundin, it appears that the Leaf Nation may have well seen the last of their 11-year captain as well. After this morning's pre-game skate Leafs coach Paul Maurice was playing coy with the local media as to whether or not we have seen the last of Sundin this year or not.
Maurice would only say that “Mats knows his body best and he will decide when he can play to his level or not!”
Including tonight’s tilt with the Sabres, the Maple Leafs’ remaining games include games against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday and Saturday in Montreal.
For Mats Sundin, I can only speculate that we have probably seen him play his last game in a Maple Leaf jersey and even possibly in the NHL.
Last Saturday against the Habs could well have been Sundin's NHL “swan song.” He played the whole game and collected an assist in the Leafs 4-1 win.
For Sundin—who has been the consummate professional captain in hockey-starved Toronto—his post Maple Leaf memoirs will undoubtedly look like this:
In 1989, Sundin was the first European-born player drafted No. 1 in the NHL. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques.
- B/R Ticket Guide
He played four seasons for the now-defunct Nordiques who later would became the Colorado Avalanche.
On June 28th, 1994 Sundin was traded to the Maple Leafs in a blockbuster trade that saw Garth Butcher and Todd Warriner traded with Sundin to Toronto for then the most popular Maple Leaf (maybe ever), Wendel Clarke and Sylvan Lefebvre along with Landon Wilson. The teams also exchanged first round draft choices.
It did not take Sundin long to become a leader in Toronto. In 1997 he was named the Leaf captain and also became the first European born player to be named a Toronto Maple Leafs' captain.
This year (Sundin's 13th) with the Maple Leafs saw him record an all-time high with Toronto. On October 11th, 2007 against the New York Islanders, Sundin broke Darryl Sittler's record for all-time regular season points as a Maple Leaf. The previous record held by Sittler was 916 points (389 goals and 527 assists). Sittler, another former Leafs captain, played in 844 games for Toronto.
Today, Sundin has recorded 987 points based on 981 games played in a blue and white jersey and amassing 420 goals and 567 assists.
In all but one of 13 seasons with the Leafs, Sundin has won the team scoring race—the only other winner was Alex Mogilny, who in 2003 beat Sundin by seven points.
In 67 playoff games with the Leafs, Sundin has recorded 32 goals and 38 points-good for another 70 points.
Sundin holds the NHL record for going fifteen straight seasons with 70 or more points. He has also played in nine All-Star games and has been an international hockey star as well.
Sundin has won three World Hockey Championships playing for his native Sweden, and in 2006 Sundin captained the Swedish National Team to the Olympic Gold, beating archrival Finland 3-2 in the finals.
To this date Sundin will probably admit that winning an Olympic gold medal has been his greatest accomplishment in professional hockey. Who can blame him?
In 65 international games Sundin has scored 31 goals and has added another 46 assists to record an impressive 77 points abroad.
Sundin's credentials are most impressive and he surely will become a certified “first ballot” Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.
The only blotch on his resume will be his final three seasons in a Maple Leafs uniform. This is the third year in a row (post-lockout) that the Leafs have missed the post season—all under Sundin's captaincy.
In hockey crazy Toronto that is not a good thing.
For Sundin, today’s announcement that he will not play the third last (meaningless) game of the season for the Maple Leafs would normally mean nothing; however, when it is the captain who is coming off three one-year contracts in a row it means a lot!
Has the 37-year old Swede played his last game in Toronto, and the NHL?
I hope in twenty years the hockey pundits are not writing this about Mats Sundin: "Great Maple Leaf captain, hall of famer, big/strong, graceful, power forward, with great hands, but..."
Good luck Mats Sundin, you owe nothing to Leaf Nation—you have bled blue and white!
comments (21) write a comment »
write a new comment
7 months ago
it is the end of an era...
7 months ago
Probably... it is kind of sad that Sundin had to endure a season of unrest and speculation (especially @ the trade deadline) in what may be his last year... In Toronto - it goes with the territory of being the captain of a team that has not won a cup in 40 plus years and counting. We tend to eat our young (captains included) here in T.O. Bring on Matt Stajan, he wearing another great captains #14 - Dave Keon - will be a great leader I am sure! He is a: 'Good o'l Toronto Boy!' as my good friend Don Cherry would say!
from 7 months ago
I quite agree that Stajan is a big part of our future and appreciate yhe reference to Davie Keon.
However, I saw no need to bring Don Cherry into the picture...he is the epitome of bigotry and the cheerleader of violence in hockey.
7 months ago
"First ballot" inductee? Come on. I wouldn't even nominate the guy. I can name 10 players playing today who are better than Sundin. He's no Stevie Y, that's for sure. He's got nothing but numbers on his side of the argument. No rings, no charisma, no leadership, no story. He's a boring point a gamer. Who'd want to see his exhibit in the HOF other than crazy Leaf fans?
7 months ago
Unfortunately there are alot of crazy Leaf fans, you are the exact reason why I included the word..BUT in the article. I never said he was the best captain, but I will buy you a new Detroit RBK jersey if he doesn't make the 'Hall' on ballot one. Why do you hide behind anonymous, bro?
7 months ago
Being a bruins fan I can tell you that other teams feared that "boring point gamer". He had plenty of leadership skills, otherwise he wouldn't have been wearing the C in Toronto. Funny story, this isn't football but I'm pretty sure a numbers guy named Dan Marino was a first round inductee. He gets in the first round.
from 7 months ago
Nick, so true to you. Welcome to BR. There is no debate on Sundin NOT getting in on the first ballot. Anybody who knows anything about hockey knows that Sundin is in. I live and love the Leafs and I have never said that he was the best captain ever. I'll give that one to Sittler/Keon and Wendel get's my vote as Best Leaf Captain that I want to go to war with!
7 months ago
It's worth pointing out that last summer Toronto offered Sundin a two-year contracted, but he insisted on one.
He's an all-around good guy and accomplished player who feels a deep loyalty to his team. The trade deadline problems this year were unfortunate and will probably get tacked onto that "but" in his biography. He actually was a leader for the team, and there are other players who made it to the Hall of Fame without ever hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup. Marcel Dionne, anyone?
from 7 months ago
Yes Jennifer, Mats was offered two, but took one - which shows that he has the 'R' word on his mind. He did not sign until late. what they are saying here in T.O. is that Sundin will probably wait until July 1st. (free agency) to decide what to do. He may sign a 'cheap and cheerful' contract to have a Retirement Tour with the Leafs, but I just don't see Sundin being that type of player. He is not a 'fanfare' kind of guy. He'll just ride into the sunset with his pretty/young girlfriend of the past year! She'll have influence on his decision to come back to T.O. They both are Swedish and live in Sundin's hometown in the off-season.
I say he is done! Especially after the way he was treated at the trade deadline! Too bad! Let the youth movement begin in Toronto!
7 months ago
The chances of Sundin ending his career after a season like this and not being able to play the final games due to injury is highly unlikely...he will be back for another tour of duty.
The contract will likely be 6-7 million and he will earn it again, like he did this season.
from 7 months ago
Thayne,
I don't think that him coming back is entirely out of the question; however, I just don't think that his heart will be into it. It would be a shame that his career would end this way if it did!
7 months ago
Sundin is an incredible talent, and one of the most skilled players ever to don a Leaf jersey. There have been few who can just turn it on and carry a team the way he has.
The one problem I have is when everyone describes Mats as a "great leader" - where has he led them? Does he make the rest of the team better? Does he inspire them to play better hockey? Absolutely not. They all wait for him to do something. That's not a leader, that's a star player. A leader rallies the troops and has everyone playing their best hockey.
Mats was a great player, but he was not a great captain.
from 7 months ago
Very astute observation. I agree totally. He worked well as Gilmour's assistant back in the 90's. I would never say that he was a great leader either..well put!
7 months ago
if he did play his last game i am gonna be super mad...... if he new he wasnt goin to return then y didnt he waive the no trade clause and maybe the leafs would be in the playoffs.... but no he has to be a jerk and let us fans think he is comin back when he is gonna split....... i truely dont like him so i really dont care but to screw the team like that is just messed, u say u love the team but u do that.....
from 7 months ago
Comments well taken. Mats was not intending to screw the team; however, Leaf Nation is passionate and are certainly entitled to their opinions! (The Leafs could have had Chris Higgins from the Habs - plus Montreal's 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounders!)
7 months ago
it is confirmed, he won't be back this season.
7 months ago
Mats should be remembered for being the first European captain to take his team to the Stanley Cup final!!!!!!!........or maybe not
7 months ago
Mats should be remembered for being the first European captain to take his team to the Stanley Cup final!!!!!!!........or maybe not
from 7 months ago
Maybe not is going to be more appropriate!
2 months ago
Mats is a one way player period. On the ice for MANY goals against. Never back checks. Has never supported a teammate in a tough position. Never knocked the opposing players to the ice. Only happy when he scores a goal. Hopefully Mats will never return to Toronto - imagine being a teammate and at the eleventh hour, the captain of your team can not decide if being a hockey player is important. The WORST captain ANY NHL team has ever had!
2 months ago
Pretty strong stuff...Gord! I can honestly say that I am not impressed with the way he is dealing with his present day free agency.. he is a wee bit of an aloof Swede that is for sure!
write a new comment