Viewpoint

Sundin is a throwback to the days when players stuck with their team, through thick and thin. If he was any bit selfish he could have jumped ship instead of extending his contract another year-and who could've blamed him? The Leafs are damned lucky to have had a player of his calibre for all this time. Fletcher should've asked him once, in private, if he would waive. Instead it was made into a media circus and the guy with the most integrity is hung out to dry by the mob.

Sundin has plenty of good hockey left in him and is a future Hall of Famer. So what he doesn't spend the Summer in T.O.? Can you blame the guy...LOL.

Lets not confuse complacency with loyality. All of the NTC guys were concerned with their own agendas not for the long suffering fans. Yes they all excercised their rights and options and yet I would have appreciated that they would of shown us on the ice this same desire to stay in TO.. This is not JFJ's fault: by lies within the NTC's boys strange show of loyality. Give me a break boys and leave us alone.

First off, I'm a Bruins fan. I remember when Ray Bourque bailed out and ran to Colorado to win a Stanley Cup. Everyone ranted and praised him on about how wonderful it was that he finally won the cup after so many years of waiting, but I was thinking, this was the long-standing Captain of the Bruins that turned his back on the tam in search of personal gratification by winning the cup. Is that the moral fibre of a true Captain and leader? No!! I may not be a fan of the Maple Leafs, but I respect Mats Sundins decision to stand by the team and continue to lead them regardless of their success. This shows he is a true Captain and Leader in ways that Ray Bourque never was. To all those Leafs fans that condone him and say he's being selfish, obviously, you don't know the meaning of real leadership and moral obligation. True Leafs fans should be embarrassed by those that think he's not acting in the interests of the Leafs. As for me, I have more respect for Mat's decision to stay and I still have no respect for Ray Bourque because he decided to leave.

There's one area that no one is talking about. With the Leafs missing the playoffs again look no further than the scouting staff. These are the guys who make the recommendations for drafting and trading. Both areas suck. I'd clean house for those losers. There isn't a hope of doing better with these guys.

To those who criticize Mats by saying that not waiving the ntc does not show loyalty:

I don't know Mats personally and my suspicion is that you don't either, but even if you are right and he feels no loyalty to the team he is being true to himself. He has answered this criticism by telling us that winning the Stanley Cup as a rental player would diminish its value to him. That's enough of a reason for me.

Mats, I applaud your integrity. You continue to show true character.

It's not good idea to make Mats responsible for rebuilding the team.

Thank you Mats. So great to see you in Leafs uniform.

Maybe Daniel Alfredsson will translate the comment from Mikael from Sweden ??

GO SENS!!

Sundin had a chance to be a veritable hero - to have helped the Leaf TEAM and its fans immensely by being a rental. He chose not to help and so in my eyes is selfish. In the end, it was all about what was best for Mats and not the team - short and long term. This will be a big part of his legacy. I've wondered for a long time how badly he wanted to win Stanley. The answer it seems is about as badly as wanting to go into the corners for a puck or stand in front of the net to sacrifice himself for a scoring chance. A career less than a point a game player is no superstar and should never have been made Captain. Just put in your time Mats. The season is almost over and you get all your money. There is no future in playing your guts out and risking injury in the Playoffs and getting no pay afterall. Stanley can't possibly be that important! Nor can the Leafs organization and its dedicated fans!

Matts Sundin has always been a class act and in my opinion is doing what he feels is right in his mind and in his heart. It's a shame he is such a class act because I believe no one ahould be pissed off at him although many will. Ownership cannot have it both ways. If a team agrees to a no trade or asks for a no trade then they have essentially given away the right to demand a player move. I feel for Matts but also agree the Leafs could gain by trading him for players they need. Over spending by the Leafs year after year, trading away draft picks at the deadline and just bad decisions all around have created this mess so it's not fair to say trading matts is the only answer. Give Sundin the credit to stand by what he belives in. Now lets just hope they finish last!!

everyone calls him classy, if he really cared about this team and this city he would do whats best and accept a trade and allow this team to build a future. I would call him selfish. If i was management i would sit his as$ is the pressbox for the rest of the season, along with kaberle and tucker. The worst thing that can happen is that they continue to win and finish out of a lottery pick.

Sundin is no hypocrite. He made it known right from the beginning what his position was?
How many times do you see a Captain jumping ship when the going gets tuff. Cowards Do? Sundin is a Class Act. It takes a bigger human being to go against what he went through and still stand his ground. The Leafs should warship the ground he walks on.
He went with his heart and not his brain $$$.
GOOD FOR YOU MATS !!!

We are proud to call you and have you as
OUR CAPTAIN.

I love Hockey but lets face it we all know it is a business. "For the Love of the game" has often become "who can offer me the most". Mats Sundin broke that mold yesterday and I am proud of him for it. This was a no win situation for him. On one side the media and some fans would criticize him for staying and on the other the media and some fans would criticize him for leaving.
During the events unfolding over the past week it was evident that Mats was not planning on leaving. His comments to the media during every pregame and postgame interview showed the stress he was going through.

Everyone knows what an honor it is to play for the Leafs and that's why so many players don't want to leave and or want to sign. Toronto hockey fans are just as emotional as the players which creates both a rewarding and stressful situation in itself.

My hat is off to Mats for he shows true character and loyalty in telling fans and other players he will finish his career as a Leaf.

If there is anyone to blame is is and has been the Leafs management. If they had planned properly over the years Mats would have bever been in this position. In other words sign talent to help your best player get better and create a winning product! Stop getting the left overs and scraps from other teams (no names).

Loyalty!!!! HA
Wake up everybody, the reason he didn't waive his no-trade clause is because there is no extra pay in the play-offs. There is no real desire for him to win the Stanley Cup. He already got his Stanley Cup when Sweden won the world championship. If he really loves Toronto, why doesn't he live here in the off-season.? Also, more than likely he just upped his value as a free-agent when he becomes one once this contract expires.......Think about it

Mats Sundin, a class act . . . one of the top ten Leafs of all time.

I've always had great respect for Mats Sundin, but this definitely pushed him over the top as one of the classiest players of all time. Hockey has become too much about money and not enough about the love of your team and the game. Frankly, I don't think they had any right to ask Sundin to waive his no-trade clause. If he wanted to go, he would have come to them. After all that he's done for that organization he has earned the right to stay as long as he wants. To the people that wanted to see him go, you're kidding yourself if you thought that the Leafs were going to get a top player for Sundin. He's a great player, but the fact is he's not young. In a time of hockey when there are too many Chris Simons and Sean Averys who would sell there soul if it meant an extra million dollars added to their contract it's nice to know that there are still some players out there who hold this game and their team in as high regard as the people who started this league and made this sport great.

This whole season, the "Leafs" have been a circus! The way in which the team played, the John Ferguson joke, and now the way in which the team choose to treat their star player. The Leafs of today remind me of them terrible 70's and 80's, you know the Harold Ballard years. The city, the fans and all of Leafs Nation didn't deserve this. Shame on the managemet of the Maple Leafs, for letting down the fans once again.

I love this because this continues to prevent the Leafs from rebuilding. It's sad that Sundin would rather remain a Leaf as opposed to having a chance at winning the Stanley Cup. Which was it do you think he wanted most as a child? And the Leafs can keep Tucker too. Even though he's a Western boy, he's a chicken who picks fights with non fighters and then runs away like a little girl when someone his size or bigger wants to dance. Right on Leaf nation. The only pride they've created for themselves is retiring Doug Gilmour's number... and now Sundin's. Rest in peace Bill Barilko.

I've always had great respect for Mats Sundin, but this definitely pushed him over the top as one of the classiest players of all time. Hockey has become too much about money and not enough about the love of your team and the game. Frankly, I don't think they had any right to ask Sundin to waive his no-trade clause. If he wanted to go, he would have come to them. After all that he's done for that organization he has earned the right to stay as long as he wants. To the people that wanted to see him go, you're kidding yourself if you thought that the Leafs were going to get a top player for Sundin. He's a great player, but the fact is he's not young. In a time of hockey when there are too many Chris Simons and Sean Averys who would sell there soul if it meant an extra million dollars added to their contract it's nice to know that there are still some players out there who hold this game and their team in as high regard as the people who started this league and made this sport great.

Sundin's decision is inexplicable. Does he not realize that after thwarting Fletcher's attempt to rebuild he will not be resigned? Why? Because he wouldn't play ball, and it's not true that they will get "nothing" for him now. They'll get 5M in cap room.

Also inexplicable is the inference that McCabe waiving his NTC is important. It's irrelevant because it's the money, stupid. McCabe is virtually untradeable because of his salary. No GM with an ounce of savvy would take the cap hit for a fraud like McCabe - unless the Leafs agree to absorb some of it.

Selfish! Mats has essentially handcuffed Cliff and made the rebuilding process even more difficult. Is waiving the trade clause really showing loyalty to the blue and white? I think it sets the team back for next season and delays the rebuilding process. Is that not what every blue and white was asking for when they wanted John F. Jr's head on a platter. Maybe we should request the same for Sundin?

Mats contribution to the Leafs is attested to in his stats.
While only 6th in games played for the team he is either first or second in many of the records kept on the team. Imagine what his numbers would be if they had put people of equal quality with him.
What everyone seems to overlook is that this team will go no where as long as it is run by a committee with discord in the executive office.
What should happen is that the team be sold to a private individual who has passion for the game and not the bottom line on a balance sheet.
The execs have to perform for their principal share holders namely the OTPP and Bell Global Media neither of which have the game and the team as a focus.
It's time to face the facts that this team has had to deal with too many people tampering with what is going on and Cliff Fletcher is not going to change that. Fletcher is seen as a a guru but in fact he has not done all that well since the Oilers. If his record was a good as Mats there may be hope but I doubt it.
The restructuring and rebuilding should start at the ownership, the CEO and on down.
Mats is a class guy. Maybe they should elect him CEO. At least that way they would have a hockey guy at the top, not just in the middle.

The Leafs got burned with all these no-trade clauses. Hopefully they learn their lesson and never give out another one to any other player for any reason whatsoever, except in the rare circumstance that they happen to find the second coming of Darryl Sittler or something.

Hey Robert Williston from Calgary,

Ha ha ha, you don't care about the leafs and Sundin, yet you spend time to read the article and actually post a comment. But then again, your are from Calgary. what can one say?

You are not and never will get to be part of the CAPITOL OF THE WORLD OF HOKEY.

Dream on baby, dream on.

Matts is a true leader. Leafs can still build around him and the rest of the no trade guys. The reason they all got no trade clauses was because they are all good enough to form a solid core. Injuries this year caught up to the Leafs. It isn't their job to fix JFJ's mistakes. Cliff should now focus on dumping/trading Gill, Raycroft, Kubina, Pony, White, Wellwood, Blake, Bell. They have a good goalie in the minors that should be called up now. Start playing the young guys more.

How funny is to see Laughs Fans defend slackers with NTCs and then calling them unselfish! Paaaleease! If anything, you guys should be up in arms, because these types of losers are only going to push the Laughs past the half century losing streak. Keep it up boys, the whole nation is laughing at you!!

Good for Mats...
But please resign or be villified
in the Big Smoke
This will be the death of the leafs
if he doesnt
What do we have ? First round pick this
year will be a D Man ?
Tlusty , Steen , Stajan , Kaberle ,
Carlo , White , Vesa and
Pogge , and not much else

How funny is to see Laughs Fans defend slackers with NTCs and then calling them unselfish! Paaaleease! If anything, you guys should be up in arms, because these types of losers are only going to push the Laughs past the half century losing streak. Keep it up boys, the whole nation is laughing at you!!

and just the a true leaf he's never won a cup

Thanks Mats, it's pretty unique for a guy in this day and age to show loyalty like that, even if it meant he loses a shot at the Cup. If he had agreed to a trade, Leaf Nation would have criticized him for being a cowardly turn coat.

Sundin will retire as the greatest player to never will a stanely cup.

Until anyone of us are ever put in that situation your comments are just that...comments. Playing pro sports or at any elite team sport is the best thing ever. It can also be the worst thing ever - case in point the sudden death of Mickey Renaud of the Windsor Spitfires. His tragic passing will strengthen the team chemistry more than any off ice team building day could ever do. And with Sundin waving his trade eligibility this too should strengthen the togetherness and team concept in the Leafs dressing room. Damed if he does and damned f he doesn't but this shows a true captain willing to go down with his ship....or just maybe his decision will lead them onward to the playoffs with a greater sense of team-ness.

it is quite obvious that all of these players do not covet the Stanley cup near as much as players from a different era did! why else would you stay with a team that has no chance of making the playoffs let alone competing for the top prize in hockey. They get their huge paychecks to play for the shortest amount of time per season..no playoffs ..just golf in april. where else but toronto could players play at the level that I have watched them play at all season on TV and still hold their heads up, and with a straight face, say "There were positives tonight. and we have to build on that' There is no incentive to play at an elite level..because they get paid anyway ....and they have nodesire to put out enough for the playoffs..where they don't get paid anyway !!!!

Mats doesn't owe the Leafs squat!! Good for him for staying!! They had 14 years to find a real winger for him to play with and couldn't find ONE!! YET they found Kabina, MacCabe,Gill lots of money for a pourous defence. Oh ya how about legends like Jonas Hougland and Pony for wingers!! Roberts was the only decent one and they didn't want him back!!
Too much heart!!
Fans should cheer MATS and BOO THE MONEY GREEDY PIGS who couldn't run a hockey team as well as they can a game of BINGO!!

I'm glad he is staying. He's a true white and blue. This should bring lots of relief to leaf fans all over Ontario!
yeah Mats!

Good to hear that Sundin is staying with the team, a real stand-up guy. Sure wish McCabe would waive his no-trade clause.

as usual he made the right choice. we should be so lucky that he wants to stay in toronto. maybe with a little luck he can retire (at his choosing) as captain. been a long time since that happened. now lets move on and move forward.

Thanks Mats, it's pretty unique for a guy in this day and age to show loyalty like, even if it meant he loses a shot at the Cup. If he had agreed to a trade, Leaf Nation would have criticized him for being a cowardly turn coat.

Sundin will retire as the greatest player to never will a stanely cup.

People who are jumping down Mats' throat for declining to waive his NTC need a slap upside their head. Just as you're calling him selfish for not going elsewhere to allow us to rebuild with picks and prospects, you're also being equally selfish in essentially "demanding" that he leave. I believe that he's earned the current position he's in, you haven't...

Well done Mats. The no-trade clause is in there for a reason and Mats has exercised it. If there is anyone in the Leaf nation who can fault the man for bleeding blue and white, I would question their allegiance. Not to mention the fact that the results of mismanagement of the hockey club should not be yet another thing loaded onto the Captain's broad shoulders. As far as I'm concerned, Mats has done his job brilliantly from the day he became a Leaf. The same cannot be said for the office. Mats gets paid well and has certainly earned everything he gets, including the respect for making this decision. I would suggest that those that are "running" the team, learn from his lesson and start performing to earn their handsome salaries and profits.

I have always been a firm believer in living up to contracts. The employer has the same obligation to do so as the employee. Mats is keeping his word to MLSE. You have my understanding and support , Mats.
Note to the Leafs: if you want to be able to trade a player don't agree to a "no trade"
clause and then try to back out later.

I'm really happy that Mats has decided to stay. It shows that he is a loyal member of the team, and is not even in it just for the sake of winning the Cup. He wants to be a Maple Leaf before all else. That says a lot.

They should definitely re-sign him until he retires——and keep giving him these no-trade clauses, if he wants them.

He deserves to end his career with the team that he has loved so much. It is a shame that he was even put in this situation. The fans certainly don't want him to go, but perhaps he has that perception from the management.

Great job alienating our best player.

I give Mats all the respect in the world. He not after the money or a Stanely Cup, he loves the team that he plays for and loves the city and the fans. Most players only care about the money. Mats we love ya, Come back for one more year

who cares about the Toronto Maple Leafs. The CBC, the Toronto Maple Leafs, TSN, are all Ontario (regional) institutions, located in the eastern half of the country. They even call themselves Central Canada. from Manitoba west, nobody cares about Mats Sundin or any other regional issues that may arise in eastern Canada. Besides, the Toronto Maple Laughs are the second worst team in the league, yet the CBC still focuses on this team which has basically done nothing for 40 years.

As a loyal HABS fan , I love this. The leafs will be no where in 5- 10 years. Its all smells of NHLPA involvement. For 4-5 guys to say no to waiving there NT when this team stinks is beyond me. These players like the Leafs fans are use to putting up with the status quo.

GO HABS GO.

Mats
Jag anser att du gör helt rätt. Du visar ansvar och lojalitet mot det team som du representerat och givit så mycket under alla dina år inom din sport.

This is why this man wears the "C" on his chest. It is loyalty to his troops the true colour of a leader.

Way too go Matts

You had the chances to get almost every prospect, you blew it, you want Mats to pay for it,dave Keon and Darryl Sitler, Borje Salming couldn't do it. Teach them a lesson, You are a true pro and a loyal hockey star. God bless you and your family

Good for Mats he has earned the right to make this decision and not let the Leafs pimp him out to the highest bidder. Mats has delivered there are others on the club who have not get rid of them not the guy who has performed. It's not his fault that poor management and owners who only care for the bottom line have not provided him with a suitable supporting cast.

Good for you sundin, the management fooled the situation up on this anyway so stick it to them. Leaf Fan.

i'm glad that he's staying, i think that he's
a real help to the team.

I love Mats Sundin. He is the class of all acts and true blue as any died in the wool fan in leaf nation. He wants to win a cup as much as we all do and who would you want on the ice in the last minute of overtime? This man gives his all every minute, every game, every season and is a terrific example to the young kids we need to bring in and nurture for the future. Good on you Mats. I would love to see him lift the cup here. Who knows in a couple of years we may get a good shot. Fletcher needs to be patient and make the right moves at trade deadline and this summer.

WOW.....what a team player.........do you beleive this, that's why the LEAfs don't win with this guy.......He has always proved to me and everyone that he isn't interested in hard working gritty playoffs........end of story ToRoNto.........swallow princess

Well done Mats! In a 'game' that is so much a business, it's nice to see someone stand up for his personal convictions! So many players get hyped up on winning the cup and jumping ship to do it. Here we have a guy who will hang around a losing team (currently...go leafs!), because he wants to play there. That's awesome.

As for people who are angry for his decision, calling him selfish...well...pffffft to that! Remember, if Mats left, there would be NO leader of that team! No disrespect intended to the other players, but there just isn't.

Anyway, thanks for sticking around Mats, hopefully the team pays you back with some smart decisions and decent support.

Oh and one more thing for the 'selfish' claim...he signed for less money to stay, right? That left the team more cap room to spend, no? hmmmm

Build around Sundin, is what they should have done years ago. If not Mats who would be there leader? Who ever they draft, trade for, pick, they will need a veteran presence. And thats Mat's. Who else McCabe.
Thank Mats

You in Toronto have a similar situation that we have in Philadelphia. Bad GM's, people who don't know how to build a team that can be a contender. Then when all else fails they go to a guy like Sundin who has shown nothing but class and leadership in his years as a Leaf, and ask him to waive a TNC, a condition THEY (mangt) agreed to in his last contract. I hope the people in Toronto support Mats for his decision - he is teaching younger players around the league, and atheletes of all sports a valuable lesson in his decision - I hope they learn it. I don't think I could have stayed given the circumstances - no one deserves a Cup more than Sundin, but after reading his comments - good for him; he is a better person than I.

Let’s hear it for Mats!

Reason means everything, and Mats Sundin's reasons for not waiving his no trade clause look to be as solid and integral as possible. Good for Sundin to speak out against the rental player problem that exists in the NHL, and for voicing his concept of team. I suspect his statement will be brought to the attention of a few individuals in southern California.
The response from Leaf fans here looks pretty classy, with the exception of one illiterate.

Class act! Sundin proved his loyalty to the leafs by staying with them even at their lowest point.
To the person who called Sundin selfish and stupid, doesn't matter how much money he has made as a Leaf, he has paid back more through his dedication for Leafs. He has earned the right to retire as a Leaf.

All I can say to Mats is Thank you.
Above being a formidable player, he is what I hope all young players aspire to be.
Through his actions this week he has shown that he really is worthy of the title "Captain".
He has made a committment and stuck with it. He has remained loyal to the team and the city that have not always been so welcoming - but that he loves non the less.
He has shown that the game is about more than multi-million dollar contracts, last runs for the cup at any cost, and looking out for #1. Mats is what we all want to be: respectable, honorable, and true to his word. Toronto should be proud that he has been a member of their community and team for 13 years.
Thank you Mats.

Why do people get so angry when a player refuses to waive the "no trade" clause of their contract? When a player signs a contract with such a clause, it is there for a reason and no other person should have a say whether they waive it or not. If this is unreasonable then teams should not sign players with these clauses. Toronto will never find another player as skilled and as dedicated to the Maple Leafs as Mats Sundin. Give him the respect that he deserves and stand behind him as the true Leafs fan that you call yourself.

Tawy from Winnipeg...you should look in the mirror for selfish and stupid.

Sundin has been the most dedicated Leaf on and off the ice for the better part of the last decade. In times where money means more to players than the game, it is nice to find a guy who has demonstrated once again that the game and his mates mean more to him than dollar bills and all the glamour of being in the NHL. Way to go Mats for staying where your heart is. The Leafs would be a better team if all the players and the OWNERS could learn something from Mats. FYI, they are still in playoff contention if they can start winning some games.

I dislike MLSE. They should be traded!

Sundin is man with a lot of heart. He is truly a hockey player who is loyal to his team and should be congratulated.

Good for Mats. He is and always was a class act. He cannot be held responsible for the woes of the last 40 years. What is going to be done with the management team? Can Fletcher clean out the front office, the scouting group etc...who continue to ride the golden goose? or is he restricted to the players? Changing the cards and leaving the old table in place still leaves a shaky foundation! This team needs a long term plan that is 41 years late.

I'm not a Leaf fan (I'm actually a Habs fan) but when I heard Mats was not waiving his "no trade" clause I thought it showed some loyalty for once, in an era of professional sports where it's all about "me, me, me"! Mats was given the no trade clause at a reduction in pay by Ferguson. I think the "Leaf Nation" should be thanking Mats for being a true Leaf and wanting to play out his career here.

Awesome! How refreshing to hear that for some players loyalty to the team comes first, money and individual acheivement come second. The more I hear from Sundin on this topic, the more I like him. Stick to your guns Mats. Now, go lead your team to the playoffs.

PART TWO:

But all is not lost in Leafland. By telling Mats this July to take a long walk off a short pier - or by Mats re-signing for say 1 Million instead of 6 million - the club can still clear up some cap room. As for the Leafs getting better draft picks in future, there may still be some hope on that front too - even under the status quo. This team sucks now (probably will end up 25th or 26th overall), and with the same cast next year they'll be even worse....so maybe we still can rebuild our farm through the draft system by staying with these same losers for a couple of more years.

So what the hey! Both camps of Leaf fans win after all. We get our high picks, you get to continue your torrid affair with Mats and Darcy.

A question that has been touched on before has been why do Sundin, Kaberle, Tucker, McCabe, etc..wish to stay on a team that clearly is/has been going nowhere? The answer says something about their individual character and competitive drive (either for the good or bad)and alot about the current hockey atmosphere in the dressing room. Judging by the general email responses, what is puzzling is the obvious trait of Toronto hockey fans to willingly accept more of the same - a culture of mediocrity - with open arms no less - instead of just moving forward and getting on with the job. As for tonights game? GO SENS GO!!

Oh Mats, Mats, Mats....this guy is a different cat, that's for sure. Despite the Sundin Fan Club in our midst,I can't fathom why he didn't take a short-term change of venue - thus garnering his club much needed prospects and/or draft picks. He could have done a "nudge-nudge-wink-wink" with Cliff and then re-signed with the Leafs July 1st. This way everyone wins.

I have to agree partly with the basis of "Tawy"'s points. I'm not sure Mats was selfish here, but he sure comes off as stupid if, as he states, the Maple Leafs are his number one concern. You dropped the ball on this one , Mats.

Players are merely transistional - once their value slips or the team moves in a different direction they must be dealt or cut. Even Gretzky got moved (3 times I believe). Sentimentality such as the ones expressed by the pro-Mats fan club should be reserved for "Honour the Retired Guy Night". Winning must be the only constant ongoing goal. This is a business, folks.

Mats has been the sole reason to watch the Leafs for the last few years. Just when you're about to change the channel in total frustration, Mats pulls off something beautiful. I'm a Leafs fan because of him.

Wow, someone with loyality and class--set the good example Mats!! It would not be the same watching HNIC with the same enjoyment without seeing Sundin in Blue. Toronto will be a winner at some point and I hope Sundin has a chace to be in the center of it when it happens.

"if the club continues to lose and gets a high first-round draft pick, they don't need to gut the nucleus to move forward. They could add some futures and keep the present and perhaps retool faster than first thought."

GIVE IT UP ALREADY!!. The ONLY way forward is to "gut the nucleus"... unless you actually believe the Cup is within reach in the next 2 years, by which time Matts and whoever else classifies as essential will surely have run out of gas. The Leafs need prospects and draft choices or they're doomed to another 40 years of waiting.

Hats off to Toronto's all time best hockey players. Not only has Mats shown us what a leader and team player is all about, he has shown us he plays with his heart not his wallet. Why did people not feel the same way when the drama of Gretzky started when he was traded. I am proud to be a leafs fan and my leafs include the leader Mats. Mats thanks for many dedicated years of service, you have made many of us proud to be a Leafs fan...

We finally get a guy who loves Toronto so much, he doesn't want to go. He signed a contract for less money to stay, that's right, to stay with the team, so instead of raising him up in reverance, instead of taking pride in our fine city, instead of seeing him as a world class cornerstone of a franchise with some kind of tradition, we want to kick his rear bumper out of town. Now if he would have been the one who wanted to leave, we would have had a few choice words for that ungreatful S.O.B.

Leaf fans are a special breed. They cried when Wendel left town and guess who we got for Wendel. Hell, the same fans that want to ship Sundin out of town are the same ones that whined about his play for years and the same ones that would stll take Wendel back in a heart beat. So there's more to it than just draft picks and prospects.

Like the Leafs have taken advantage of that before? If they've been bad for so long, how come they don't have all these amazing draft picks and prospects now? Oh, I get it, they haven't been crappy enough to get good draft picks. Tell that to Detroit or Dallas or New Jersey.

Maybe Toronto Maple Leaf problems go alot deeper. Look at the way the management ousted JFJ. Sure he had to go, but not one limb at a time. The whole francise and all its supporters are in need of a spiritual awakening. May I suggest a seven day colon cleanse.

Matts is a class act and I'm glad he's sticking around.

200% with Mats on this, way to go! Mats is a true team player, and great Captain. Why is it so surprising Mats wouldn't want to be a "rented gun" at another team? Where's the achievement in that? Kudos to him for considering things, and going with his heart. I hope the media can finally respect this decision instead of ranting on like Don Cherry, Mats has worked his butt off over the years and deserves a LOT more respect than he's been getting lately. Keeping or selling one player does not make or break a team, but you can't put a price on loyalty, which Mats has.

Respect, Loyalty and Honesty. Three words we use throughout our lives. Matt Sundin has been with the team for a long time now and has developed well with the players. Look at the team as a whole and the scores throughout the year whether it be overtime goals or shootouts, the majority of them were close. Has this team gone sour. Not in the least. They still play as a team and Matt still leads them. Now lets get back to the loyalty word which plays a key role in his and our decision to support him. He is still a great player and leader and I have no doubt there is going to be a reckoning until the last game of the year then lets see who gets in.

Good for Sundin!

Whatever his reasons for staying: Money, Comfort, loyalty or sheer **** you to the MLSE, Good for Sundin!

He has been loyal to the leafs for 13 seasons and they kept surrounding him with Hasbins.

Now the only option for the leafs is to play their minor league guys and hope they lose enough games to have a chance at the No. 1 Pick for 2008.

I want to extend Mats a heartfelt thank you to Mats. I don't think the fans who truly bleed the blue and white could have asked for a better Captain in the past or going forward. I don't think anything has made me happier then to read that we're not losing the one player who has the leafs spirit imbibed in him. My only hope now is that management doesn't insult our beloved captain further and offer him a decent contract for next year.

Go leafs!

Mats should be commended for his loyalty, not ripped on by fans hoping for a quick turn-around. I too, wanted to see the leafs get some great, young talent for Mats, then resign him in the summer, but it is not to be. My beef is more with Kubina, Tucker, and McCabe, who do not deserve the same respect as Sundin, and are holding up the team from trying to "right the ship".

I suppose that as a Senators fan I should be thrilled with Sundins announcement. However there is a tinge of sadness. We have pilloried players for not being loyal, for smelling only money. Yet Sundin is being hoisted on a petard for being what? Loyal. I feel sorry for the Leafs. It still feels like Ballard has his cold clammy hands on the teams fortunes. The centre of the hockey universe has turned into the armpit of the hockey universe.

A big cheer for Mats Sundin!!!

I in no way consider myself to be a Leafs fan, but I have to say if I were I would be proud to have a classy guy like Sundin leading my team. Loyalty is the key here, win or lose - he just wants to be a Maple Leaf. Why he would I can't comprehend but there are few players out there whose loyalty comes before a better chance to succeed. The way I look at it, if a guy has a no-trade clause, the team has no business asking him to waive it in the first place.

I think some people in Leaf nation will whine and complain about Sundin staying put, claiming he put himself ahead of the team. Sundin isn't the only player not waiving his no-trade clause. (Redden in Ottawa)

I don't blame them one bit for not waiving it, whats the point having the clause if they waive it anyway?

With the trade situation the way it is, it's pretty hard to make deals. It will be very hard for Fletcher to get a roster player, a prospect and a draft pick. Good luck with that.

I don't think we will see the same kind of deals we saw last year. Teams like Nashville and Atlanta gave up an awful lot and gained absolutely nothing.

Some in Leaf nation shouldn't be so critical of Sundin. We in Ottawa had to be patient for the Senators to develop into a contender, Leaf nation has to do the same thing.

Some may misinterpret Mat's as being selfish in not being willing to be traded and indeed he struggled with even being asked to waive his no trade clause. It is so cool that he believes in the value of commitment to the team rather than being 'rented out' to increase his chances of winning the cup. You see, the ultimate is not merely having the cup, but respecting the desires of others who want the same and then helping them along the way...those with whom you have worked hard, suffered embarassment, & celebrated the successes (even in losing). These all come together to build relationships and in so doing helping others along the way. That is what Jesus Christ did when He went to the cross to die for our sin. He could have kept all His glory to Himself, but NO!
He cared so much about what keeps us from knowing the ultimate prize in life...that wonderful, infinitely rich relationship with the Father in heaven. So Jesus temporarily set aside His glory to be humiliatingly crucified, buried and raised again to give mankind the opportunity to obtain a treasure that can never get dusty, nor melt away...ETERNAL LIFE WITH JESUS CHRIST!

Thanks Mats for being a champion!

Good for you Mats!
Loyalty to a team is a nice change (old school).
Leaf Maangment shouldn't be bullying good players out rather than concentrating on doing a better scouting job and drafting better.
Mats: Nice to see you have the guts to stand up for what you think is right!

Mats Sundin is a class act; a player the NHL players association should be very proud of! To think his decision to stay with the club will hurt the Leafs is dead wrong. Leaders like this do not come along very often. The rest of the team should take note and rally behind their captain! For those who choose not to, then they likely will become could be trade bait on Tuesday!

Bravo Mr. Sundin! I think it's absurd that he was even asked to consider going. His contract was negotiated in good faith; the no-trade clause was not a gift from the Leafs - it came with a price. Let's be real folks, as you and I "negotiate" our own career contracts, we enter into a world of give and take, ("...okay, you can have the cadillac severance package, but we need you to take one less day of vacation..."). Can you imagine if your employer came to you midway through the year and asked you to give up one of the items that you bargained for and agreed upon? Absurd. Shame on the Leafs. Tell you what Leaf's brass - maybe you'll learn your lesson and stop giving away no-trade clauses like they're candy apples at the Ex. Sundin's a class act - something that the Leafs have in short supply.

I agree with Sundin. I beleive he deserves a lot more respect than what he has been given. He has been the heart and soul of this franchise for a long time. Even if he decides to sign with someone else in the summer, Toronto's so called loyal fans deserve the loss because of the way he has been treated.

Sundin is all class.

In a similar situation Wendel or Dougie would have allowed the trade and signed back next summer, all for the good of the team and most importantly a chance to win the cup - the paramount dream for Canadian hockey players. No matter his protestations regarding "the journaey", Sundin would have been embraced by his new team given the impact he could have made.

But that's the difference between Mats and the other two captains Fletcher has dealt with. Two lunch pailers and a country club dude.

Fletcher should give Sundin a hard deadline for rejoining the Leafs next year and then plan accordingly.

Good for Mats! At least someone has the guts to stand up to the big, bad, lame duck and inept organization that is the MLSE, at least on the hockey side.

Unfortunetly, it is Cliff fletcher and Mats Sundin that will be made to be the scapgoats. Cliff fletcher, has egg on his face and Mats Sundin looks like the spoiled Ritch kid, who has gotten too used to the country club atmosphere at the club.

The real problem has been all the incompetent individuals that ran the show b4 Cliff showed up. I mean look at what MLSE did on the Basketball side with Vince Carter. They had a sure superstar in Vince, but they did everything is opposite of his wisher, and look what happened. They ran him out of town.

Unfortunetly, after what Sundin did and given his continued respect for the organization, that is no way to treat him.

Nick Kypreos said it best and seems to know best, given that he was part of this Mickey Mouse club, not to long ago.

If the leafs come close to the conference finals or win a stanley cup I will probably be well into my golden years by then.

A contract is a contract.

The Team is full of weak spots. Trading Sundin for god knows who does not garantee anything as future club performance.
The owner /board should focus on improving management, goaltending and every day sound descisions.

Mats is a class act and a role model for all hockey players.

Scott, don't confuse "Leafs Nation" with "Toronto Media." One is full of angst at the Sundin decision, having sparked, fanned, and fed the frenzy surrounding a possible trade. The other is happy the Leafs are now stuck with the best player the team has had in a generation.

I find myself asking the question: why trade a player of Sundin's skill and quality in hopes of landing another player who might one day, if the stars align, demonstrate the skill and quality of a player like Sundin? It makes no sense. I thought the idea was to trade guys like Matt Stajan for guys like Sundin, not guys like Sundin for three more Matt Stajans.

He is simply the best the team has - by FAR. Even thinking of trading him is ridiculous. The Leafs problems have been of selecting average players (for much more than average salaries) for desperate roles - a 'management issue'. They have never had anyone that could take the heat off of Mats while on the ice in all of the time that he has been here - and yet he still performs. I am glad he stays as a Leaf - he deserves it and so do the fans (even if they don't know it).

Get rid of Tucker period. And if McCabe wants to stay at a quarter of his salary and play in a special teams role (power play point man - he is a liability when in a defensive role) then fine. Otherwise these two clowns are the worst money that the Leafs have thrown at nothing - again, a 'management issue'.

As a diehard, I say, good on Mats for not waiving. We aint making the playoffs this year anyway and frankly it doesnt look like we are making them anytime soon. He's the guts of the team and has been a well respected Captain in a very tough city to get along in. People want to blame Sundin, when they should really be looking at managment and WTF they are doing signing Kaberle to a BIG money deal when he is useless without McCabe.Leafs wanna be cheap and rest on their laurels as an original 6 when they should be searching for a goalie that can stop a puck.

I have to agree with the positive comments here about Mat's decision.

He negotiated a no-trade clause for a reason, he didn't want to move.

As such, it's the Leafs management fault for agreeing to so many no-trade clauses with their players.

I think management even asking someone is pretty crap, and have to agree with what Don Cherry said the other night, just getting asked makes you want to leave, as it's clear you are not a part of the teams plans anymore...

Thank You Mats for staying a Leaf . I have been a Leafs since I am 3 years old and now at 51 I'm still a Leafs Fan. Mats may me apologies for The Leafs Organization and say I am sorry to have put through all the Fuss. Someday I hope Management will learn what it is to be a Leafs Fan. A Leaf Fan for Life. Mats has been the face of the Leafs and Our Leader for years and has earned the right to stay . The Leafs Organization should have never put Mats in such a terrible position.

Good for you Mats! Shows true leadership! Stuck it out with the club this long, stay with it to the very end. Not so long ago most players did the same thing. "This trade off for future prospects is a number cruncher non-team player "Bay Street attitude...."

We are talking about hockey... not stock options gents. Those who agree may of been apart of a team once. Those who don't, probably never were....

Delighted to see Sundin stay. The Leafs problems appear to eminate upstairs rather than with the tight group of players on the ice who play for and respect the club and its true traditions.
I wish the team every success for 2008 / 2009 an hope to see Sundin on a winning roster.

Selfish and stupid, thats all i can say about Sundin.How much money did u make as a LEAF? 70-80 MILLION, and u repay us by what, wanting to stay?We could of gotten a kings ransom, or at least a prospect or two ,but oh no, u want to stay.Well thanks alot.screw us for another 5 years.I hope they don;t resign him in the summer, or if they do, sign him, and dont; give him a NO TRADE CONTRACT, then trade him at the trading deadline, One year to late is better late than never!

As a long time Leafs fan I was hoping we could get some good prospects for Sundin and then re-sign him next year. But after hearing his explanation for declining a trade I am very happy that he is staying. His comments prove that he is completely dedicated to the Maple Leafs and his teammates and as a result I think much more highly of him now. The fact that a lot of their players are declining trade requests shows that they feel they are in a good situation despite their record and it seems promising for next year. They must like Maurice as a coach anyhow.

As for him having no chance at a Stanley Cup this year...it would not be the same if he won it as a rental. Ray Bourque won a Cup as an Avalanche...but does anybody really care? I think he's a sellout.

Mats has been the face of the Leafs for years and he has earned the right to stay if he wants. Good for you Mats. The Leafs would have never got what he is worth from a contender anyways.

Toronto fans should thank mats for his stance. he took less bucks to stay in to. he is a true leaf. dont blame him. blame the idiots or should i say owners of the leafs. hab fan.

Way to go Mats. Showing loyalty to the franchise and the fans shouldn't be a punishable offense. This hearkens back to a time when 'franchise player' meant something. Glad to have you stay with us. I wouldn't have blamed him for leaving after the mismanagement that riddled the team. It's nice to see he's looking beyond that and what it means to be a Captain of one of the NHL's most storied franchises. A class act!

Good for him!

Sign him to an extension!!!

Mats has been so good to Toronto, what they just put him through was as shabby as JFJ's ouster... and who put Trader Cliff up to it? Richard Peddie, again.

Does anyone else think this episode may turn off the few remaining quality GM candidates?

Glad to hear Sundin has decided not to waive his no trade clause. He deserve respect for his decision to remain loyal to the club he has done so much all these years. Now its time for the club to concentrade to build a winning team no matter how long. Loyal fans must once again to be patient and stand by their team..There is a possibility that our world will last many more years, or long enough for Maple Leafs to win a cup....

Sundin made his choice which I would have been fine with either way. I believe he's earned the right to make that choice.

The key question to me is if he comes back next year. He certainly isn't showing any signs of age. I suspect the reason he won't make a decision on retiring until later is he wants to see exactly what Fletcher is going to give him for next year.

I absolutely agree with Sundin. This guy is a true Maple Leaf and is passionate about his team. He is a class act and will go in the books as the greatest leaf ever. It most certainly is not about the money with him it is about loyalty. The Leafs problem is not so much on the ice as it is upstairs, that is where the weeding out should occur.