The Hockey News: Jason Kay's blog: THN.com Blog: Why Sundin should return to T.O.

THN.com Blog: Why Sundin should return to T.O.

Mats Sundin finished the '07-08 campaign with 32 goals and 78 points in 74 games. (Photo by Greg Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

Jason Kay
2008-04-05 10:34:06

It can’t end like this, can it? It shouldn’t.

If Mats Sundin is the man of integrity we believe he is, and the Maple Leafs are sincere in their publicly expressed desire to bring him back, the 37-year-old will return to the “center of the hockey universe” for a swan song season, a chance to say a proper good-bye and give a fan base starved for gratification something to feel tingly about.

There’s little reason to believe the Leafs will be significantly improved on the ice next season with or without Sundin. They don’t figure to have much cap space with which to play in free agency; and even if they did, the supporting cast isn’t yet contending caliber, so why waste the coin now on an expensive newcomer?

The Leafs should be in a re-building mindset, not entertaining visions of grandeur. The playoffs would be a nice bonus, perhaps, but a better outcome would be another high draft pick to add to this off-season’s projected bounty.

So why keep Sundin? Why should he want to be part of another mediocre season?

For starters, he has become the epitome of the franchise, a respected icon, a leader by example, and teams in re-building mode need veterans of his ilk to bequeath their essence. It’s part of a successful overhaul formula.

From Sundin’s perspective, his reticence to be moved at the deadline was, he said, about not wanting to be a “hired gun”; that being parachuted into a situation would make any victory seem hollow.

The reality is he would have been with any new franchise nearly four months (March, April, May and part of June) before hoisting a Cup. Would another few months, the extra time he’d have by signing before the start of a season, make any real difference?

If we’re reading Sundin correctly, he believes there are more important things than winning a championship: friendships and relationships, loyalty, his legacy, and, most importantly, his happiness. We can’t argue with that.

This season was a tumultuous one for Sundin, one in which he excelled on the ice, but was nevertheless tainted by a trade deadline soap opera and his season-ending groin injury.

Sundin and Maple Leafs fans owe each other a gracious parting, the type of happy ending that is all too uncommon in today’s pro sports world.

Related Links

HMMMM STATS
I’m a stats geek at heart and love to surf the ‘Net, unearthing gems. Here are a few that made me go “hmmmm” recently:

• Alex Ovechkin has fired an astounding 174 more shots towards opposing goalies than any other player. Entering the final weekend of play, he led the league with 441 shots on goal and 196 missed shots. Henrik Zetterberg’s combination (355 and 108) ranks second.

• The Blues’ Ryan Johnson is the runaway leader in blocked shots among forwards with 102, 27 more than Chris Drury’s second-place tally of 75. Johnson also tops all forwards in total shorthanded time on ice.

• The Detroit Red Wings have a far worse record, in terms of points percentage, against Central Division rivals (.565) than the rest of the NHL (.780). That explodes the myth the Wings fattened their Presidents’ Trophy points total against weak divisional foes.

• Bryan McCabe may have had a sub-par season, but the Maple Leafs actually had a significantly better record with the defenseman in the lineup (26-19-8, .567 points percentage) than when he was out with injury (10-15-3, .411).

• According to espn.com not one NHL team finished with an average home attendance below 80 percent of capacity. That’s remarkable because there are typically five or six clubs that fall below 80 – last season there were seven. And it ain’t because tickets are getting any cheaper. Team Marketing Report research shows the average ticket price rose 5.2 percent this year over last.

Jason Kay is the editor of The Hockey News and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears every weekend.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (10)

Sort: Oldest | Newest Filter: All | Videos

Barry Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:44)

Re; D.Johnston-The TML are the most popular team in the world! Ya, I dispute that! In Canada, maybe, but the world!, ya gotta be kidding! In terms of 'fan appeal', the TML's are not even on the same level worldwide, as Manchester United, New York Yankees, ect ect! It's easy to kid yourself into thinking that you'r in the centre of the sports world!, but Toronto is NOT the centre of the sports world! FAR FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

soothsayer Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:19)

I'm from the GTA and even I think THN is doing a major disservice to hockey fans. There are 30 teams and by continually focusing on Toronto you are driving away more hockey fans than keeping Leafs fans happy with the majority of articles/commentary. Maybe its because most of the THN staff are from the GTA and deep down are Leafs fans, there's nothing wrong with that but catering solely to Leafs Nation will be the demise of the hockey media. People are getting sick and tired of being confronted with repetitive TML news. Live up to your name, The HOCKEY News. That or create a section on this site just for the Leafs.

Drew Johnson Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:17)

Gentlemen, Toronto is the biggest hockey city in the world. The Maple Leafs are the most popular team in the world. Anyone dispute that? Therefore THN caters to that market. Get over it. We love our Leafs, we want Sundin (apart from the Tank Nation minority). I like Bryan McCabe as a player. Yes he is overpaid but that's JFJ's fault not number 24s, I hope we keep him. If you don't want to read Leafs articles, turn the page geniuses.

Habsss Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:16)

Unfortunately, Matthew, THN is a business, and as such, it is free to print stories that sell advertising space. Obviously, there are one or two people still interested in the whole Sundin saga, as The Hockey News has yet to close its doors. Mr. Kay gets paid to write this "stuff" because this "stuff" sells. Get over it.

bill Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:16)

who cares. the leafs are so has been. really!! talk about the preds or something. at least they have made the playoffs 4 straight years. what has TO done in the last decade. detroit is actually the center of the hockey universe. sorry TO.

Rémi Bourget Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:15)

O, I didn't even read this article... ENOUGH!!!! Can we talk about the real issues going on in the world of hockey?!? Some teams are getting ready for the real season: playoff time!!! Did you know that? Or maybe so spend so much time in TO that you think hockey ends in april?

Drishy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:14)

Seriously Matthew is right. Being from Brampton, Ontario, yes I and many others love to read about the Leafs in the media. But enough is enough. The team stinks. This is a record year for them in only one aspect, in seasons straight where they HAVENT made the playoffs. Yes McCabe is one of the most over paid players in hockey. Yes Sundin 'deserves' a more dignified exit from this great game than the one offered this year from the Leafs. Seriously i wish i could count the number of stories and features about the leafs versus ALL the other teams in the NHL. Nobody cares to read about them! Maybe if the MEDIA would actually give them a break they wouldnt feel like they were under so much pressure to succeed and they could actually settle down and play there game. San Jose goes on a 18-0-2 streak and you guys dont even mention it! Plus all the other great things goin on in the league right now.. Come on guys write something new!

Matthew Onstad Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:13)

Is there nothing better than this to write about? How do you get paid to continually write this terrible stuff? Three months ago you TO fans want Sundin hung for not waiving his no-trade clause. Now, you want him to stay and give you ungrateful people a "suitable" fairwell? Which is it? Make up your mind! How about the half dozen other intreguing stories going on around the league with teams that are truly in a position to get better and in a playoff race? Why aren't you writing about whether or Washington will be able to retain Cristobal Huet after the season ends and why he 'should' stay? What about Olli Jokinen and his loyalty to a team that made him a star? Peter Forsberg's uncertain future, Markus Naslund's free agency haven of choice, for that matter Jagr's too, the Kings/ Lightning finishing in last place and what the implications choosing of Steven Stamkos first will have on their immediate future? Any one of these are suitable topics that are relevant and matter. I cannot believe you are a paid journalist with your biased disposition.

Joe Blake Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:12)

Sundin will be a year older next year, and a year slower. Would have been to Toranna's benefit to have unloaded him this year. Actually they would be better already had they unloaded him last year and received a younger player and draft choice. Then even more money available to superstar McCabe and Kubina.

whatsthatsmell Posted
(2009-04-30 06:09:09)

McCabe sucks. His confidence is gone, and so too is that booming slap shot. He is solely responsible for all the Leafs problems. No, just kidding, but he was expected to carry a huge burden, and I image that at one point he would have been considered as Sundin's replacement for the C if Sundin didn't come back. Now, he is untradeable, overpaid, and is famous for last period collapses.