Viewpoint

I'm not a Toronto fan. In fact quite the opposite.

This wasn't about Mats being a rental player. Not at all. This was about giving the Leafs a jump start on rebuilding.

I respect Mats decision, but make no mistake, it slows down the rebuilding process, which for a team that has been terrible for a long long time I suppose perhaps isn't as big of a deal as it would be in a winning city.

Good for him. Its not his fault JFJ screwed up. Leafs can still get Stamkos as long as they finish low (which they will). Maybe keeping raycroft and Bell in the minors next year will save $4million, and if they can move McCabe, they'll get nearly $10 million in cap space ($43 million is committed to next year, but minus my suggestions you have only $33 million committed). With a cap of $53 million, that leaves $20 to sign Sundin and start to sign decent UFAs and leave room for some trades.

Hats off to Mats. I am very greatfull of his decision to stay. He owes this franchise nothing. They owe him. When people from out of town hear TML. Who comes to mind. This guy is a unique superstar. He has not only broken all Leaf records to date. Mats has never embarrassed himself or publicly commented on this teams poor mismanagement. He's wore his heart on his sleeve and has a dream to be a Leaf forever. He cannot help that this rich team has been managed by hockey nobodys since Pat Quinn was relieved of his GM duties and then coaching duties. JFJ signed a lot of bad contracts wich closed the salary cap for improvement. The board of directors is the real blame here. When the Leafs let go of Roberts,Newendyk, and lost Nolan, Peca, and Lindros they did not replace any of these guys with the same calibur player. I'm sorry but Steen, Wellwood, and Stajan will not bring you a Stanley home. Not one of them is a superstar other than Potatoes as a filler. You need to add Meat. First of all Look at Montreal. Ex Habs from management to coaching staff. Unload 2 defencemen costing over 12 million a year 1 goalie who is good enough for a mens after work pick-up hockey leageu and you have a little cash. Now ask Darryl Sittler to be GM. Put Gilmour and Clarke behind the bench and who wouldn't want to play in Toronto? Even for less money. Superstars aren't developed in the NHL. They are Superstars before they come. Look at Sid the Kid, Wayne Gretzky. These were not mediocor players and neither was Sundin. If not for Mats the past few years, Who'd have been really watching the Leafs. Leafs Fans are Loyal, and So is their Captain. If the hockey world can't understand that or the TML management. Then they really do not know what The Passion that Unites Us All really means. Thanks for Staying Mats, I can remain a fan after all. Denis Healey, Mississauga Ontario

I am disappointed in Sundin's decision but respect it. The only thing that would give me a problem is that after saying he wants to stay a Leaf, he leaves for more money this summer. In other words, he doesn't go when it might benefit the team, but does go when it benefits him. I would have trouble with that inconsistency.

As a a hockey fan first and a loyal Leafs fan second I understand the nature of the business...yes the business. I am pleased that Mats Sundin remains with the Leafs for he of all people was put between a rock and a hard place by managment. Anyone with half a brain could see the stress he was going through over the last week during his numerous pregame, intermission and post game interviews. His comments were from the heart and he did what is right...remaining the Leaf captain. It is this type of loyality and team leadership that Leafs management should embrace. Let us not forget it is the poor decision making by managament over the past 5 years that got the team to this point.

Mats you did the right thing and you will be a Leaf til the end. Thank you from all Leafs fans!

I think Mr. Sundin would look good in a Sens jersey, but I must say that he is not being selfish by refusing a trade out of Toronto. Would that his loyalty to his team be demonstrated by more players. He should not be vilified for wanting to stay. Nor should Mr. Fletcher be criticised for asking. Both are doing what they have agreed to do.

I see a couple of benefits for the Toronto team: Mr. Sundin will continue to make a positive contribution to the Leafs, and he is keeping the Leafs from any taint of throwing the rest of the season to gain better odds in the draft lottery--and that benefits the league as well.

The future of the Leafs has never rested on Sundin, nor should it. Don't forget the issues stem from another level. I respect his decision. Now let's get on with it!

I support Sundin's decision 100%. He has something so few professional athletes have: character. He has persevered through the soap opera that MLSE has become; never whining, never complaining. Loyalty has been the hallmark of Sundin's career. I think that we owe it to him to let him finish the season according to his own wishes.

I applaud Mats for his loyalty and sticking to his guns. A no trade clause is just that. The team management knew that when they signed and I think Mats after ALL his years of TOP SERVICE to the Leafs, should be allowed to play out his career with the team if he so wishes. Mats has consistently been the team's best, most reliable player for years, is an all-time team record leader and surely will go down in history as one of the very best, if not the BEST LEAF! I think he could play till he's 45 or older if his conditioning stays strong and he has no major injuries. I'd eventually like to see him in a front office position. As a Leaf fan, I want to thank Mats for being terrific!!!!!!

Good for him. Its not his fault JFJ screwed up. Leafs can still get Stamkos as long as they finish low (which they will). Maybe keeping raycroft and Bell in the minors next year will save $4million, and if they can move McCabe, they'll get nearly $10 million in cap space ($43 million is committed to next year, but minus my suggestions you have only $33 million committed). With a cap of $53 million, that leaves $20 to sign Sundin and start to sign decent UFAs and leave room for some trades.

good for Mats.
Leafs mgmt gave him no trade clause. Maybe they'll learn there is a consequence for their actions.
It really shows how dumb mgmt is, Tucker, Kaberle, Sundin & McCabe with no-trade. Did they ever consider if they all would say no....

Way to go, Mats, and thanks Scott for calling it like it is.

Mats Sundin is one of the classiest players to play hockey and certainly the classiest man to wear the Leafs' sweater. The things that the media have done to him to make this already difficult time ever harder for him are shameful, and the ENTIRE body of Leafs' fans, whether they wanted him to accept a trade or not, should count their team lucky to have a captain like him.

You're absolutely right, Scott, in that his answer is definitively 'no', and that should be END OF DISCUSSION. Alas, there are probably a few idiots in the media and fans who will continue to complain even though the number one scorer and leader of all time for the Leafs has decided to stick by his team and continue to give it the support and leadership that the management of the franchise for the past decade or so has not proven they deserved. Pooh-pooh to them.

SO let me get this straight. Cliff Fletcher is brought in on a temporary basis to trade away the current assets of the Leafs, yet all of them have no-trade clauses in their contracts and have decided that they don't want to leave.

Tell me why John Ferguson was fired again?

Is this yet another chapter for "the most storied franchise in the history of the NHL" who haven't won a SEMI-FINAL since Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon???

That's a great story! Don't bother changing it! I enjoy reading it year-after-year, "Most Storied Franchise".

whatever...what a surprise!!

just get rid of the coach

Oh my! As noble as Mats thinks he is being, this was the best chance the Leafs had at really starting the rebuilding process. It is hard to not see this move as somewhat selfish on the one hand but, loyal on the other hand.