Mats Sundin's Indecision Part of an Increasing Trend for Veteran Players

After the Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup in the summer of '07, two players on their roster decided to hang up the skates—or did they?

Both Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermeyer pondered for several months over the course of the offseason and well into the next whether or not to walk away from the great game for good. 

Niedermeyer announced 28 games into the '07 season (December) that he would return for the remainder of the season.  It wasn't until late January of '08 that Teemu had made his decision to return for the remainder of the season with the Ducks. 

Now it seems like the process has begun all over again involving another player and another team—Mats Sundin and the storied Toronto Maple Leafs. 

At the conclusion of a season where Mats' play had been spectacular despite the woes of the franchise and many front office changeovers, Sundin was unclear on his playing future.  Since then, there has been intense media speculation about what the veteran intends to do—but there have been no decisions from the Sundin camp. 

With just weeks to go before the puck drops October 8 against original-six rival Detroit Red Wings, the Leafs have made preparations to continue without the All-Star in their line-up. 

Sundins' actions—or lack thereof—have now begun to upset many Leaf faithful who formerly had immense respect for what Mats had brought to the Leafs over the years.  That anger is widespread, extending to other hockey fans, as they see this as an increasing trend where older veterans are wavering on retirement. 

Make no mistake—the decision on whether or not to retire from the game you love is very difficult.  But equivocation is disruptive to a team and its players who are trying to focus on winning. 

Sundin's case is complicated by the fact that the Maple Leafs are in the middle of a major overhaul of both their roster and front-office management, in an attempt to rebuild for the future.  Despite great efforts by GM Cliff Fletcher to retain Mats or at least obtain a decision on his playing future, no comments have come forward.

Somehow the retirement decision has become complicated and disruptive in recent years, and it should be discouraged by GMs around the NHL.  Its time for the selfishness to end.