Weeks prior to this years NHL trade deadline, I was very excited, because I was almost certain Mats Sundin would waive his no trade clause, be off to a Cup contending team, and leave the Leafs with some draft picks, and maybe even a young prospect.
Now, don't get me wrong, I like Sundin as much as the next guy, but he has such high trade value, he would have easily got Toronto some great additions to the team that would help with their rebuilding process.
But alas, Sundin did not waive that no trade clause, because he wanted to stay in Toronto to help with the rebuilding process, which is just fine with me. That is, if he even decides to stay. I would be angry - very angry - if Sundin doesn't return to Toronto next year, whether it is due to retirement, or if he goes to another team.
Now some of you may be wondering why I would be mad. Well, it's simple. Sundin could have easily been traded if he had waived that no trade clause, left Toronto, and given us some hope in future years. Maybe he would help the team he was traded to all the way to the Cup, or just give that team a reasonable run in the playoffs.
After that, I wouldn't care if Sundin retired or signed with a new team, because at least Toronto got something out of it. So once I heard Sundin wasn't going to waive his no trade clause I thought, "Oh well, he'll still be a great asset to the team, and help with the rebuilding process, because he clearly wants to stay and help with such things! It's guaranteed he won't consider retirement/going to another team!"
Well, I exaggerated that a bit, but you get what I was thinking.
But no, Sundin likely won't be returning to Toronto (or the NHL), leaving the Leafs with nothing (compared to what they would have got if he was traded, or even stayed).
Sundin is the heart of Toronto, and has been carrying the team for years, so I'm surprised he would do this to the team. Obviously it wasn't intentional, but it still leaves a big hole in the Leafs' roster if he's gone. So my message to Sundin is this: please re-sign with the Leafs, you're needed.
And just think how bad it will sound when all my friends and I are discussing our favourite teams and the best players on said teams, and I'm sitting there talking about Antropov.
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2 months ago
Mats Sundin doesn't owe the Leafs anything.
The organization pissed away the time they had with him.
You were hoping the Leafs would get something for him? How about the fact that he's carried the team for the past several years. They paid him $X/year and that's what they got.
How many times do you think he resigned with management telling him that this would be the year they were really going to turn things around? If Mats owes them a couple draft pics in his departure, MLS owes him the last several years back.
I'll miss him in Toronto, or anywhere if he chooses to retire, but I wish him the best.
2 months ago
sundin is most likely going to come back to the NHL... otherwise he probably would have made a retirement decision awhile ago. I think he will be a canucks... but nobody even knows whats happening. only time will tell... and sundins taking his sweet time
2 months ago
I don't want him back, if he doesn't he screwed us at the deadline, but I have moved on. I still like him as a player, and hope he wins a cup, but I hope he doesn't take away time from the young players.
from 2 months ago
Because pairing him up with Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi, Jonas Hoglund, and other bums is supposed to make him WANT to stay? The Leafs have been jerking him around for the past 10 years or so, what does he owe them? Why should he have to waive his not trade clause when they have constantly screwed around with him with false promises and a terrible, terrible supporting cast? I don't get leaf fans like you who truly believe this club is actually committed to winning. I bet you spend loads of cash buying their merch, buying their overpriced tickets, and buying their overpriced food and hot dogs. Ohyeah, I bet you subscribe to Leafs TV, too. I gave up on this sorry organization a log time ago. I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but I do know when i'm being played for a fool.
from 2 months ago
Well that would be where you would be wrong, I have never been to a single game, nor do I spend my money buying their 'merch', there are far more important things to spend money on IMO.
All I was saying was that not waiving was a selfish move, which was his right, and I don't blame him for it. I also am smart enough to understand why he wouldn't want to stay. So while you, Ryan, may be smart enough to know when you are being played a fool, you are not smart enough to accurately read somebody through bleacherreport.com, so please hold your personal judgments for people you actually know.
2 months ago
sundin never once said he wanted to end his career with the leafs OR help with the rebuilding process.
what he did say was that he did not want to be a rental player and that if you aren't with a team from TRAINING CAMP ON winning the cup didn't mean squat. He would like to end his career as a leaf, but the leafs haven't exactly tried to make their captain happy either.
Sundin has given more than enough to the leafs.. it is not his responsibility to allow management to trade him to correct managments mistakes.
If Sundin moves on, good for him. If he stays, well thats great too, but do not judge him on whatever decision he makes, he has earned the right to do whatever the hell he wants.
from 2 months ago
I could have sworn Mats has said that he wanted to retire a Leaf. I believe he even spoke with Borje Salming about how he regretted going to a different team. I tried to look for it but most sports sights are blocked from work. I'm glad this one works!
2 months ago
he'll be back. just watch. the longer the wait, the more likely it is he's just trying to figure out if he wants to play hockey. if THAT decision is taking so freaking long, then imaging the struggle of deciding to play for a different team!
The longer the wait, the more likely it is he comes back to the leafs.
2 months ago
Imagine Matts in the lineup opening night. Do you think the building would go completley nuts? Do you think Matts would make headlines around the hockey world? Do you think this would put a smile on every leaf fans face? YOU BETTER BELIEVE HE WOULD!
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