Mats Sundin is one of the greatest players to ever suit up in the blue and white Leafs gear. With all of the toughness and technique the big Swede showcases each season, one can only wonder why he wants to stay with a team that has proved time and time again its inability to put a contending team on the ice.
Granted, the team had its share of success before the 2004-05 lockout. Those successes, however, came along with Leafs rosters that lacked a natural scorer to play next to Sundin on the first line. Sundin’s linemates played off him for much of the time, with the roles reversed only on the odd occasion.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been unable to make the playoffs since the introduction of a new collective bargaining agreement. Yet Sundin remains loyal, recently signing a one-year contract for the 2007- 08 season. Sundin ensures his future options by signing on a short-term basis while also giving himself the opportunity to become the all-time leading scorer for the Maple Leafs. He has something to talk about for his time in Toronto, other than how Leafs brass denied him a superior supporting cast to play with.
With that said, Maple Leafs management gave in to signing Sundin this past summer without any regard to fixing the inept qualities of this team, destined for perpetual mediocrity. They did not trade Sundin at last year’s deadline in order to proceed with the inevitable rebuilding process, and are now facing a similar situation this year. Luckily, all the stars are aligned for a second opportunity at blowing the team up.
The fact that the Maple Leafs have begun a more youthful line-up suggests that they are on the right track, but if they traded their most valuable and only asset, new talent could contribute to a professional-level game. Furthermore, Sundin has a high value that the team should cash in on before unforeseeable injuries or slumps take over his game.
There is an understandable sense of loyalty owed towards Sundin, but when the team has continuously played catch-up with the likes of the Ottawa Senators, the GM needs to make major changes. Without any significant players within the system, the Maple Leafs must demonstrate a paradigm shift in the organization by using any current value to obtain youthful talent. Unfortunately, management has yet to rid itself of players that do not coincide with the new landscape of the league, even more regrettable considering there are no fiscal problems on the balance sheet.
Mats Sundin has earned the right to take care of his immediate future by signing on for this season. Regrettably, this means that Leaf Nation will continue to watch Sundin play with a group of ordinary forwards in a corporate system filled with ordinary decision-makers.
