Sundin getting married - Hints at retirement

[sixer 37]

The Star

I'm honestly surprised this guy has no desire to win a Cup and play for a contender and instead just wants to hang up his skates.

I hope the Leafs don't re-sign him, they need a fresh start. As much as I hate them, it's nice to see them make the playoffs and the fans to all think they're going to win the cup, only to lose, haha.

[Real1 2]

Well the only way (in my point of view) for him to win a cup is go to another team. He won't do that, so his only option is to retire without a cup.

[Reds4Life 51]

He should go to Detroit. Toronto is not that far away

Anyways, he is really brave because he's getting married..maniac

[eva unit zero 271]

The Star

I'm honestly surprised this guy has no desire to win a Cup and play for a contender and instead just wants to hang up his skates.

I hope the Leafs don't re-sign him, they need a fresh start. As much as I hate them, it's nice to see them make the playoffs and the fans to all think they're going to win the cup, only to lose, haha.

Sundin is one of the great players of this era, and the fact that he is willing to stay in Toronto should be COMMENDED rather than ridiculed. Think about if people had said Yzerman was an idiot for wanting to stay in Detroit when the Wings were horrible? Or Sakic in Quebec? Or Crosby when the Pens drafted him? How about Ovechkin?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Sundin is one of the great players of this era, and the fact that he is willing to stay in Toronto should be COMMENDED rather than ridiculed. Think about if people had said Yzerman was an idiot for wanting to stay in Detroit when the Wings were horrible? Or Sakic in Quebec? Or Crosby when the Pens drafted him? How about Ovechkin?

I completely agree. It's pretty incredible that a guy has so much pride and loyalty in a team that he'd rather retire than start a new season with a serious Cup contender. That's beyond loyalty, and I commend him if his convictions are that strong.

Sidenote: I know you know this Eva, but this is for everyone elses general knowledge. Another incredible fact is that he wasn't even drafted by Toronto, rather Quebec took him with the first pick of the '89 draft. That alone differentiates him from Yzerman, Sakic, Crosby and Ovechkin in regards to being loyal to the team that believed in you from the get-go.

Edited May 1, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[MacK_Attack 108]

Sidenote: I know you know this Eva, but this is for everyone elses general knowledge. Another incredible fact is that he wasn't even drafted by Toronto, rather Quebec took him with the first pick of the '89 draft. That alone differentiates him from Yzerman, Sakic, Crosby and Ovechkin in regards to being loyal to the team that believed in you from the get-go.

Traded to Toronto essentially for Wendel Clark. Some fans have never forgiven him for that, even though Wendel came back like two years later.

[ShanahanMan 473]

Really sad to see him leave the league without ever winning the cup. Hot gf though....

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Traded to Toronto essentially for Wendel Clark. Some fans have never forgiven him for that, even though Wendel came back like two years later.

I kow that, but that wasn't the point of what I was saying. I was referring to people that feel the need to be loyal to the team that initially drafts them, which wasn't the case for Sundin. He was moved, found a team he loved to be a part of and his loyalty hasn't wavered. That's commendable given that it sounds like he'd rather retire than be a part of another team (even at the start of the season rather than the trade deadline) that could potentially win a Cup.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I kow that, but that wasn't the point of what I was saying. I was referring to people that feel the need to be loyal to the team that initially drafts them, which wasn't the case for Sundin. He was moved, found a team he loved to be a part of and his loyalty hasn't wavered. That's commendable given that it sounds like he'd rather retire than be a part of another team (even at the start of the season rather than the trade deadline) that could potentially win a Cup.

Mats Sundin is pretty well the definition of playing for the logo on the front rather than the name on the back. I guess he feels that if he won the Cup with somebody other than the Leafs, it would be something of a hollow victory.

Personally, I think he'll play one more year. He needs 13 points for 1,000 points as a Leaf, and 55 assists to pass Borje Salming for the Leafs all-time assist leader (he'd then be the Leafs all-time leader in all offensive categories)

[Opie 308]

Sundin is one of the great players of this era, and the fact that he is willing to stay in Toronto should be COMMENDED rather than ridiculed. Think about if people had said Yzerman was an idiot for wanting to stay in Detroit when the Wings were horrible? Or Sakic in Quebec? Or Crosby when the Pens drafted him? How about Ovechkin?

Eva the difference being that when Stevie hadn't won a cup yet he was a lot younger and further from Retirement than Sundin is right.

And I am sure there were people who thought those exact words but due to the internet not being what it is today, non of us heard or knew people were saying that.

I agree though that he should not be ridiculed, but he should move on, there is a point in time (KG is a good reference) when you have to walk away from the club. Even though you have poured out you blood sweat and tears for years and years to try and do everything in your power to bring them and yourself to the cup. This team is going to be heading into rebuilding mode, I would hate to see Sundin play for 2 years while they rebuild and suck.

Like you said or eluded too rather, he deserves respect, and even though they didn't draft him, he has and will always be a Maple Leaf, but if he wants a cup, truly deep down wants a cup, more than he wants to be remember as a loyal Maple Leaf, then I believe he should walk away from the leafs.

[Hank 0]

I completely agree. It's pretty incredible that a guy has so much pride and loyalty in a team that he'd rather retire than start a new season with a serious Cup contender. That's beyond loyalty, and I commend him if his convictions are that strong.

Sidenote: I know you know this Eva, but this is for everyone elses general knowledge. Another incredible fact is that he wasn't even drafted by Toronto, rather Quebec took him with the first pick of the '89 draft. That alone differentiates him from Yzerman, Sakic, Crosby and Ovechkin in regards to being loyal to the team that believed in you from the get-go.

That and the fact that Yzerman and Sakic were still very young before they won a Cup.

It wasn't like Stevie and Joe were in their late 30's without having tasted a Cup and on teams that sucked really hard.

Still, I like how Sundin's been loyal. He owes nobody anything.

[VM1138 1,921]

I like Sundin's loyalty, but I hope he retires. His era is over and the Leafs need a fresh start.

[imisssergei 0]

The Leafs might need a fresh start, but parting ways with Sundin isn't that way to get it.

There are plenty of other players who should be sent packing before the Leafs should ever think about not giving Mats whatever he wants.

If Sundin retires without winning a Cup, he will be up there for consideration of greatest player never to win it. Mats is the modern days Stevie. He is one of the last of a dying breed. The Leafs will be far worse off when Sundin finally does retire.

[Hank Dats 'N Homer 81]

Im a huge Sundin fan, so it would be a real shame for him to retire. At the same time, i have been hearing that there is some tension between him and the organization. I thought they didnt really want him back hence the reason they didnt get a contract extension worked out and all the rumors about the trade deadline. With that said, i would hate to see him out of a leafs uniform, and i know he is very loyal, but if the organization doesnt want him, and he can still play (which i dont think is an issue at all) why should he face retirement? I see many of you are comparing him to Sakic or Yzerman, but yzernam always had the loyalties of the organization. Yes, there were trade talks pretty much every year during the begning of his career, but towards the end of his career, the coaches, managers and owners all welcomed Stevie back year after year, and were sad to see him finally retire. I dont think that Sundin has this same relationship with the leafs. He takes alot of criticism "running" that team, and you can see that it has weard on him. If he does come back i would like to see him go out with a bang and a smile on his face. I think he would just enjoy the game 10000 X's more if he went to a team where he wasnt the *ALL STAR BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM*. He wouldnt have to worry about all the pressure, and he could just have fun like playing hockey is suppose to be.

With that said........the wings have MANY all stars and Sundin would fit right in with the swedes.....and the pressure is gone. + cup contending team.....I would build him a house in michigan with my own bare hands for him and his wife as part of the negotiating contract......

[zata40 3]

dude he's 37 and his gf is 25. robbing the cradle much mats

As for him retiring, I could see it happening, but I think he still has a few good years left in him.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Not to mention Ray Bourque. The only reason he left Boston after 20 some years was to win a Cup. The first thing he did after the Avs won in '01? He took it back to Boston. He was and is always a Bruin, and Colorado knew that. I don't get why they retired his jersey, he only played there 2 years. It would be like the Wings retiring 39.

That being said, I applaud Sundin's loyalty to the Leafs. Deep down, he knows that staying in Toronto means no Stanley Cup ring. If he's willing to accept that, then more power to him.

[digitaljohn88 4]

Retirement? This is how women bring you down.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The Star

I'm honestly surprised this guy has no desire to win a Cup and play for a contender and instead just wants to hang up his skates.

I hope the Leafs don't re-sign him, they need a fresh start. As much as I hate them, it's nice to see them make the playoffs and the fans to all think they're going to win the cup, only to lose, haha.

Well, you know how those Europeans are.

[stud_defenseman 1]

I read a quote that was either fromCLiff Fletcher or Paul Maurice (sorry no source), but which ever one of them said that this would be the worst time for Sundin to leave. Regardless of whether or not they want a fresh start with younger players, Mats is the only stable, experienced leader in that dressing room. He is necessary to help some of these younger guys like Steen ad Stajan grow into leaders. And why not would you want a guy on your team that is going to get 70-80 points in season while doing so for roughly 5 - 5.5 mill a year. Its a no brainer, if he wants to stay, pay the man his money.

[sinbin 3]

Maybe he'll be the Leaf's new GM?

[MacK_Attack 108]

I think he would just enjoy the game 10000 X's more if he went to a team where he wasnt the *ALL STAR BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM*. He wouldnt have to worry about all the pressure, and he could just have fun like playing hockey is suppose to be.

He thrives on that pressure. He's one of the most clutch players to play the game. Mats has always said that as soon as he isn't among the top players in the league, he's retiring. He's not going to hang on to fading glory.

He doesn't want to be a secondary part, he wants to be "the man" on the team.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

He thrives on that pressure. He's one of the most clutch players to play the game. Mats has always said that as soon as he isn't among the top players in the league, he's retiring. He's not going to hang on to fading glory.

He doesn't want to be a secondary part, he wants to be "the man" on the team.

Well then he outta retire, because its clear that when he is 'the man', his team can't win.

[T.Low 1,011]

Sundin is one of the great players of this era, and the fact that he is willing to stay in Toronto should be COMMENDED rather than ridiculed. Think about if people had said Yzerman was an idiot for wanting to stay in Detroit when the Wings were horrible? Or Sakic in Quebec? Or Crosby when the Pens drafted him? How about Ovechkin?

I agree. Plus he is the Captain of his team; you don't jump ship trying to find a ride to the Cup when you are the Captain of said ship. The Captain goes down with the ship.