Mats Sundin: Some Predictions Come True; But All Come With a Price

First off, a Happy Holidays to my readers, and I hope your 2009 is light years better than 2008 turned out to be.

We all had a tough year for one reason or another.

It's time to move on to 2009, the last year of the decade. And with that, I begin my 10th edition of "On The Take."

As you may have realized, the photo I chose was one I took with my camera, of a February 2008 edition of The Hockey News. The fun part about it, is the team their writers chose for ex-Leafs captain, Mats Sundin, would he have agreed to waive the no-trade clause and actually prove he was a good man to the city of Toronto.

What happened of course was the opposite. Sundin gave all he could to the team of Toronto he said. On the ice, he was a great captain, I'll admit that. He knew how to deal with the press, he was the highest-scoring player in team history—and he never lifted the Stanley Cup.

Enter the last year of his contract. He had a no-trade clause, and many I spoke to and read articles by expected him to either stay with Toronto, via an extension, or do the right thing and waive the clause so the Leafs, who have been struggling so hard the last few years, could get market-value players for their captain and highest scorer.

The problem was, he decided he wouldn't leave via a trade and so, acting GM Cliff Fletcher was stuck with him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Admirable??" Perhaps it would have been had the team been chasing a playoff spot, but they weren't. They were sitting ducks, awaiting the offseason, not a parade, and thus it was in the best interest of the team to get players for the man rather than let him go, with nothing in return.

Months after he left the team for free, he has signed elsewhere. Believe it or not, I support his choice, the Vancouver Canucks. I think with the Rangers being about speed, Sundin wouldn't have fit the team's mold.

He is perfect for the Canucks, where they need a big body who can do all Sundin can do: Score, screen and occasionally, get the team riled up with a fight, a hit or a simple call to arms. 

The Canucks are in good shape with Sundin now in the fold.

The Leafs...not so much.

Despite all the time that has passed since he made the decision, as a fan, I think Mats Sundin was less than admirable. Selfish may be a better word for it.

Sometimes a true leader makes the tough choices, even if he ends up being caught in the crossfire. This situation was one of those times.

Eric Lindros refusing to report after Quebec drafted him. Scott Niedermayer hemming and hawing over retirement while new Leafs GM-President Brian Burke was stuck holding the salary cap bag, which led Anaheim to falter after their Cup. Alexei Yashin holding out in Ottawa holds a particular place of bile in my heart.

But the Sundin snub is different. It was in the early '90s when Lindros was drafted. He didn't like Quebec, so he held out until a suitable trade could be made. He moved to Philly, and never looked back. He also forgot to look up a few too many times, but I digress.

I felt for Burke when he tried to replace the instant chemistry he had with the older Niedermayer as he struggled with his thoughts. It was a good try, but Mathieu Schneider couldn't replace the Duck Captain where it counted and Anaheim was eaten up early in the first round.

But when it comes to Sundin, this will always be a matter of respect. I have no problems admitting he was the team's best player, still on a point-per-game pace, despite his age. So, why when he could've aided the rebuilding project by giving of himself (not unlike the true meaning of this season teaches), making that ultimate sacrifice—why did he stay put, and hurt the Leafs chances of recovery?

He simply walked out. Amid all the the nice sounding words, the "spirited" play, he didn't even stay.

What does that tell you??

I'm one of those people who hates the call by Kerry Fraser in the Game Seven matchup between LA-Toronto in 1993. For those who need a refresher, Wayne Gretzky caught Gilmour, I believe, with a high stick. He was cut, which usually means an automatic double minor.

Gretzky wasn't called—he ended up scoring a goal that spoiled a Toronto-Montreal final on the same play. There's a joke that he scored his most famous playoff goal from the penalty box. And yet, I respect him.

Gretzky knows how to be a leader.

The Trade. August 1988. Yes, I know he didn't have much say in the matter, unlike Mr. Sundin. But he did try to speak at the press conference, and he did leave, for the good of the team known as the Edmonton Oilers. He showed true emotion, and cried real tears, because he had the passion to be an Oiler and hated the fact he had to leave. But he was going with a purpose.

They won another Cup without him in 1990, and Gretzky became the America's saviour when it comes to promoting the game and giving Bettman access to the sunbelt franchises we have today. Whether I agree with some of the venues or not, I respect Gretzky for what he did for the game and how he left HIS team.

No one will ever confuse Edmonton in the '80s with today's lowly, but resilient, Toronto Maple Leafs. But at this time, I think it's important to tell Mats Sundin one thing:

Giving is better than receiving. I cannot wait for February 21.

Amen.

Until next time,

this is your Crowd Coach signing off. See you all in 2009!!