There has been a lot of talk lately about where Mats Sundin may end up. He still remains one of the best players in the league and every team in the NHL should be able to see that. But, what should he do?
The ideal thought, for most, would be that he finish his career in Toronto because he's been the heart and soul of the team for so many years. Well, Dominik Hasek was the same thing to the Buffalo Sabres at one point, then he moved on to join the Detroit Red Wings.
Why? Simple, because he wanted a Stanley Cup. Can we blame Mats for wanting the same? He's carried the Leafs on his shoulders for so many years already. Younger guys should be producing more, yet it's the Swede that keeps leading by example with his consistency.
It all depends on what he wants. If it's a Stanley Cup, then he'll undoubtedly look for a move. Now, if he decides to join the Montreal Canadiens, just imagine the headlines that would follow. One of the biggest rivalries in hockey and Sundin would now be wearing the red jersey.
I know the season hasn't started yet, but what if the Canadiens won a Cup led by Sundin? That'd be a tough pill for Leaf fans to swallow. Montreal has a great young team and the addition of Mats could certainly bring them the glory of Lord Stanley.
The final option would be a move to the Vancouver Canucks. He'd still be wearing a blue jersey, just not the one Leaf fans want to see. Out of these three teams, Vancouver is offering the most money by far. The Sedins and him would sure make a Swede line.
Unfortunately, Vancouver is now the new home of former Maple Leaf, Kyle Wellwood. I don't know if this means anything, but if you were Sundin, would you want to see any of your former teammates after three years with no postseason appearances? I sure wouldn't.
It all comes down to three things: heart, Lord Stanley, or money. If his heart is most important to him, then he'll stay in Toronto because that's where it is. If it's a Stanley Cup ring, he'll make the move to Montreal where that'll be his best chance. If it's money, he'll go to Vancouver where a Cup may be possible but highly unlikely.
What should he do?
13 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mike Ayoub 11 months ago
I'd say let him go where he pleases but at the end of it all, I still believe he'll either stick with the Leafs or retire. He has always been a man of his word and as he said he would wait until August 1st... well he is waiting isn't he! Everyone is complaining that he is taking so long and we can't wait on him... blah, blah, blah but isn't that what he said he would do? Lets just wait it out and see what he'd like to do. Weather he comes or goes, the Leafs aren't gunna win a cup this comming season so in all honesty how will his decision affect the Leafs? Beside the fact that we may once again come too far to miss the playoffs but too close to a playoff position that we lose out at a chance at a top pick! Oh my God... The Toronto Maple Leafs... the drama queens of the NHL for sure!!
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
rettiiiirrrreeeee
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Lothar Zogg 11 months ago
Nice article. I don't see him going for the money, and I'm not convinced that he will retire either. I just don't think he's at that point yet. I still think Habs makes the most sense, but could be the Leafs or even a surprise team.
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Tyler Hurley 11 months ago
I'm going to go with surprise team as my answer. I truly believe heart is what Sundin's all about. If it was cup, he would have allowed a trade last season. If it was money, he would have taken Vancouver's very generous offer.
I don't believe the Leafs higher powers actually want him back next season. I could be wrong but does it seem like they are hoping to finish last to get a crack at highly touted prospect John Tavares? Wouldn't be a bad move.
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Joe Shmoe 11 months ago
WHEN Mats signs with the Canucks, it will NOT be for "the money". It will be a case of signing for the team that wants & needs him the most. As for Canuck Cup hopes being "highly unlikely", Vancouver will be favoured to win the division WHEN Mats signs with them. And teams favoured to win their division are NOT considered "highly unlikely" to win the Cup. It's very naive and simplistic to say otherwise. So too is describing Sundin's imminent signing with the Canucks as "for the money".
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Jason R 11 months ago
While I agree with most of your points I don't quite share your dogged determination that he is for sure going to Van. I think it makes the most sense and it seems to fit the criteria he himself has stated but with Mats I don't think you can really tell anything for sure until he does/say's it...lol
Numerous people on here seem to like to point out that if he was going to play for money he would have already taken Van's offer. Well not if he wasn't going to decide until AUGUST 1! Just another thing they also like to point out but seem to forget when it comes to Vancouver as an option.
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MR CONTROVERSY 11 months ago
why the waite till august 1 , i mean he had plenty of teams that wanted him , some playoff contenders some not . whats he gonna do make this great introduction , i don't think so , i hope come august 1 no one has cap room for him , maybe that will show him how stupid this all was to waite. either he wants to play or he doesn't, if he wants to move on then just do it. hate it when guys are so professional that they hold out ... see ya sundin RETIRE.....
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Jason R 11 months ago
Trying to avoid the "Favre Condition" is my guess.
The guy's reflecting on whether to retire or play for a different team than he's been with nearly his entire pro career. Big decision, I'd say he's entitled to some time and doesn't owe any of the teams after him anything. They're big boys, if they want to move on they can.
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Jason R 11 months ago
Oh and to OP, Sundin is highly unlikely to play on a line with the Sedins other than maybe occasional PP or extra man situations.
Also I'd imagine he'd be pretty happy to have possibility of playing with someone he knows and had good chemistry with in Toronto (Wellwood).
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Rafal Ladysz 11 months ago
1) I didn't write anything about Sundin going to Vancouver or anywhere else for certain. 2) I didn't write that he and the Sedins would for sure play on the same line im just saying its a possibility cause they'd make a great trio. 3) Wellwood is crap lol
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Jason R 11 months ago
1) I was replying Joe's comment where I stated that, not your article hence why it's a reply under his comment.
2) It is a possibility but unlikely as Sundin and Hank are both centres.
3) Wellwood has the capacity to be a very good player IF he applies himself. That's up to him...we'll have to see how he shows up at training camp. If he doesn't apply himself he'll be gone.
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Doug McGee 11 months ago
who cares anymore, he's an old man now!
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Chris Plouffe 11 months ago
Ya, Kyle Wellwood is going to influence his decision to not play in Vancity??? Really?
Sundin has clearly said no to the cancuks since he hasn't taken the money already.
And lets not compare him to Hasek, Sundin is the face of the franchise and one of the best leaders in the game, let alone he's arguably the best player in the history of one of the NHL's premier franchises. I think he understands history and rivalry enough that he won't be going to Montreal and Detroit.
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