Sundin's response

[Griff83]

""I have carefully considered the team's request that I waive my no-trade clause," "I have always believed I would finish my career as a Toronto Maple Leaf so the actual request was still a very difficult one for me to contemplate."

"I have spoken to and listened to my family and those closest to me about this issue. In the end, there is no right decision in a situation like this one."

"I cannot leave my teammates and join another NHL Club at this time. I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey but for me, in order to appreciate it you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June. I hope everyone will understand and respect my decision."


one of best things ive ever heard a athlete say

[jalenrose#5]

The Leafs should just retire Mats' number 13 right now....this is the classiest and most unselfish thing a Maple Leaf has probably ever done. This goes to show you in a world full of greed and selfishness...that there is still some decent people around.

Mats is and always will remain the greatest Leaf of alltime. I know he'll probably not win a SC....but the fact he would rather stick it out and finish what he started makes it that much more touching. He could've easily taken the easy way out...but as I say, there are no guarentees in life and Mats sees that.

Let's raise his #13 to the rafters already.....probably has never happened with the player still playing on his team.

[Griff83]

The Leafs should just retire Mats' number 13 right now....this is the classiest and most unselfish thing a Maple Leaf has probably ever done. This goes to show you in a world full of greed and selfishness...that there is still some decent people around.

Mats is and always will remain the greatest Leaf of alltime. I know he'll probably not win a SC....but the fact he would rather stick it out and finish what he started makes it that much more touching. He could've easily taken the easy way out...but as I say, there are no guarentees in life and Mats sees that.

Let's raise his #13 to the rafters already.....probably has never happened with the player still playing on his team.

nicely said

but youll have people bitching and moaning because it wasnt best for the team and we missed out on Bobby Ryan and picks. Mats owes this management nothing and he especially doesnt have to feel responsible to clean up there mess for them.

[Geddy]

I'm not upset at Mats refusing to waive the clause, but as a fan of his I would have liked to see him play on a serious contender with skilled wingers.

[whysoserious]

I've been a little torn on this. While my respect for Sundin has grown immensely with him wanting to be here and finish here, for the Leafs to get where they need to be, he needed to be traded this season.

The situation the Leafs are in though is by no means the fault of Sundin. He's the on guy who truly earned the right to have that clause in his contract.

The Leafs screwed themselves by a) outbidding themselves on their own guys and b) adding such clauses to lesser players who didn't deserve such clauses.

The Leafs are what they are and will be right back there next season. Hopefully we can land Stamkos but in seeing the way this team is run, we're probably going to screw the draft pick up somehow.

Cliff's gonna have to get creative now. Heard that Steen may be available even though we just signed him and that Edmonton is interested. If so, I'd try and get Stoll from them.

[OldNo7]

I dont blame him for his decision, its just disappointing that the Leafs had a great shot to get some very quality assets (Oilers 1st and Ryan, if that was truly available) to help rebuild as effectively and swiftly as possible, and now they cant and are stuck in this awful hole for another couple of years.

[Tor-Rap-Tor]

Mats is, as I've said before an Icon, one of the greatest to pull on the Blue and White Maple Leaf...

The biggest problem here is, that with all that has happened, will he return for a few more years and sign an Ironclad no movement contract, he can still play at a very high level IMO, for at least another 2-3 years maybe as many as 5, he has proven he can do so, as demonstrated this year by leading his team in scoring and point totals, along with a lot of intangibles and leadership qualities he brings to the table...

My fear is, that we have backed him into a corner and he will retire and in the process, we will have lost a great asset, that is irreplaceable...

Whatever happens, #13 will be raised to the rafters at ACC and he will at some point, be in the HHOF as a Toronto Maple Leaf...

[emfive]

I have no problem giving Mats a NMC. One or two of those for very special players is OK. But the rest needs addressing.

[LLJ]

I wonder what people will say if Mats walks this summer? Then the bottom line will have been that they got nothing for Mats and the Leafs will be in worse shape than they could be (if possible).

[Marmoset]

Mats is, as I've said before an Icon, one of the greatest to pull on the Blue and White Maple Leaf...

The biggest problem here is, that with all that has happened, will he return for a few more years and sign an Ironclad no movement contract, he can still play at a very high level IMO, for at least another 2-3 years maybe as many as 5, he has proven he can do so, as demonstrated this year by leading his team in scoring and point totals, along with a lot of intangibles and leadership qualities he brings to the table...

My fear is, that we have backed him into a corner and he will retire and in the process, we will have lost a great asset, that is irreplaceable...

Whatever happens, #13 will be raised to the rafters at ACC and he will at some point, be in the HHOF as a Toronto Maple Leaf...

I hope he retires for the good of the franchise and his legacy. If he does stay, he'll probably see his level of play drain away gradually, playing on a losing team, etc. Worst of all, this whole trade/no-trade thing will come up again next year. This year, I feel bad for what he's had to deal with and respect his decision. If he comes back, then he comes back accepting that all of this can and likely will happen at next year's deadline, and I won't feel so sorry for him.

I don't know why he would want to go through all this again, unless he truly believes this team can be a contender next year.

I don't think the Leafs should bring him back - it's POSSIBLE that he could maintain his level for a while longer, but he's at an age where exceptionally few guys have been able to do that. As I keep saying, it's as much symbolic as anything - it's about moving on to the next generation of this franchise, and as long as he is here, that can't truly happen. I'll miss him, but after this season, it's time for him to go.