Off The Post: Will Toronto roll out the welcome Mats, in February?

Will Toronto roll out the welcome Mats, in February?

As the final epitaph is written in Mats Sundin’s career as a Maple Leaf, the diversity of opinions on the manner in which he departed Toronto and signed with Vancouver is as large as the distance that separates the two cities.

The popular and simplistic approach has been to denounce the franchise’s all-time leading scorer for exercising his refusal to waive his no-trade clause at last February’s trade deadline. Critics note that had Sundin complied with Cliff Fletcher’s request to deal him to the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto’s rebuilding stage would be more advanced than it is today, and the Leafs would have Chris Higgins and at least one very high draft pick in their arsenal. In his response to the Toronto media and fans, Sundin provided his explanation that would be repeated ad nauseum for the next 10 months – he did not want to be a rental player and felt that a journey to the Stanley Cup should be completed with one team, from training camp to the end of the playoffs.

In the wake of Sundin’s prolonged indecision and eventual signing with Vancouver in mid-season, pundits are more than eager to fire claims of hypocrisy against the 37-year-old former Leafs superstar.

Such claims, while made out of understandable frustration, are undeserved.

The face of the franchise, who served a full decade as the team’s captain, deserves nothing more than a rousing appreciation for his service in blue and white. Sundin wore #13, played thirteen seasons in Toronto and fell just 13 points shy of 1,000 as a Leaf, and was anything but an unlucky acquisition from the Quebec Nordiques in 1994. Had Fletcher not engineered the trade that sent an injury-prone Wendel Clark the other way, the Leafs fortunes – generally mired in mediocrity since the mid 90’s – would have been infinitesimally worse.

In assessing his status as a so-called rental player, it’s worth noting that Sundin will be scheduled to play 46 games for the Canucks assuming that he joins the team on December 27; well in advance of the trade deadline, and not quite in the same scope as notable rental players such as Marian Hossa last season, Rob Blake in 2001, Alex Mogilny in 2000, or the consummate rental, Butch Goring in 1980.

Furthermore, when considering the emotional toll that Sundin endured from the Toronto fans who derided his decision to refuse to be traded, he cannot be faulted for wanting to take as much time as he felt was necessary to regain the mental and physical fortitude to compete at the standard that he has set for himself. One of Sundin’s more vocal defenders is Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who was at the helm of the Anaheim Ducks one year ago as Scott Niedermayer was taking his time returning to the ice.

“There has been a lot of criticism of Mats Sundin for not making up his mind,” said Burke on November 29 as he was named Leafs GM. “Having been through this situation before, I do not agree with it. I’d rather have a guy who wants to make sure in his own mind of what he is doing, as opposed to a guy who plays half-assed just to collect a paycheque. ”

As justifiably impatient as hockey fans have been, the same people should also be respectful of Sundin’s decisions throughout this entire process that came to a merciful end last Thursday. Unlike other star athletes such as Niedermayer, or Jets’ quarterback Brett Favre, Sundin was not under contract when he procrastinated on his future. He had no obligations – contractual or otherwise – to anyone.

Based on his tenure in the game, and for what he has given to the sport – both at the NHL and international level – the patrons at Air Canada Centre should have but one response when their former leader takes to the ice on February 21 as a Canucks adversary.

They should thunderously applaud his career as a Leaf.

They should roll out the welcome mat. For Mats.

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Rob Del Mundo is the author of Off The Post, a regular column at TMLfans.ca

Sundin signs with Canucks

After 309 days of speculation, former Leafs captain Mats Sundin has signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

“We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks,” said Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks General Manager.

At the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, Sundin held the Maple Leafs franchise record for most goals (420) and points (987) in a Toronto uniform.

Vancouver visits Toronto on Saturday, February 21.

Links: SportsNet.ca | TMLfans.ca message boards

Off the Post: One-on-One with Brad Boyes

St. Louis Blues forward Brad Boyes has scored in each of his team’s three games to open the NHL season. The Mississauga native was a Leafs’ first-round draft pick in 2000 and was traded to San Jose three years later in a deal that brought Owen Nolan to Toronto.

Q: How do you maintain the pace you set with 43 goals last year?
A: I have to get back to shooting the puck, getting open and getting in the right spots, and putting it on net. And if I get a few lucky ones, that’ll help.

Q: How do you react to being traded? Do you try to keep the positive aspects in mind?
A: Yes, that’s what you try and do. It’s tough at times, but there’s always a team out there that hopefully you can play with and stay with for a bit. The way you have to look at it, you’re playing hockey. You’re doing something that you love, and that’s something that not a lot of people get a chance to do. So regardless of where you’re going or where you’re playing, you want to always just enjoy it and have fun, and do the best for the team that you’re playing with.

Q: What can Toronto fans expect to see from your former teammate Jamal Mayers?
A: He’s going to be a fan favorite and one of the hardest-working guys out there. He’s a great penalty killer, he’s got a great shot and speed. He’ll finish his checks and stands up for his teammates every time. He’s one of the ultimate team guys. Toronto’s very lucky to have him.

Q: What has John Davidson meant to the Blues organization?
A: You look at the future of this team, it’s all positive, and that started when he got in. He’s been good in the community, his face is out there. He’s very personable; people are able to go up and talk to him. And he sets up interviews; he’s on the radio answering people’s questions, which is awesome. You don’t see that a lot from a president of an organization, in any league. That’s the way people can relate. He relating back to people. That ’s great, for our fans, and for a team that has a lot of history – and was kind of slowing down for a bit – but is now rejuvenated with him back in it.

Rob Del Mundo is the author of Off The Post, a regular column at TMLfans.ca

McCabe deal made official

The much anticipated trade of defenceman Bryan McCabe was finalized on Tuesday.

McCabe has been dealt from the Leafs to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Mike Van Ryn. Florida also receives Toronto’s fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

McCabe’s salary cap hit for the next three seasons will be $5.75 million even though the Panthers will only have to pay him $4.15 million per season on the deal that was front-loaded when it was signed in 2006.

29-year old Van Ryn, who is four years younger than McCabe, has two years remaining on his contract and will earn $3.35 million each season, but his cap hit is only $2.9 million.

Links: TSN.ca | TMLfans.ca discussion

This Day in Leafs History: John Pohl acquired

On August 24, 2005 the Maple Leafs acquired centre John Pohl from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations.

Pohl spent the majority of his first season in the Toronto organization with the Marlies of the AHL, posting 75 points in 60 games. Altogether the Rochester, Minnesota native played 114 games in a Leafs uniform between 2006 and 2008, collecting 17 goals and 38 points along the way.

On May 27, 2008 Pohl signed with HC Lugano of the Swiss League.

Housley, Burke among Lester Patrick Award winners

For the second straight year, an ex-Leaf has been named as a winner of the Lester Patrick Award in recognition of outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Defenceman Phil Housley, who registered 1,232 points in 1,495 career NHL games, will be one of four recipients who will be honoured in Minnesota on October 22.

Housley’s career as a Leaf was short-lived, lasting only one regular season game plus three playoff games. His career in blue and white will be forever marred by a pair of shifts in Game #2 of Toronto’s opening round playoff series against Philadelphia where he was victimized for Flyers goals.

Joining Housley as an honouree is Anaheim GM Brian Burke who guided the Ducks to the Stanley Cup in 2007 and has long been rumoured as the successor to current Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher.

Hockey Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay, who starred in Detroit on the famed “Production Line” with Gordie Howe and Sid Abel, and Minnesota Wild founding owner Bob Naegele Jr are the other two recipients for 2008.

Last year former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brian Leetch was one of the recipients named for the award, in a class that included long-time hockey journalist and broadcaster Stan Fischler.

Link: PA Sportsticker

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