Sundin's choice - disappointing, but not disloyal

On Sunday evening, Leafs captain Mats Sundin gave his final decision on his immediate future - he is staying in Toronto.

Earlier this week, Sundin was asked by interim general manger Cliff Fletcher to waive his no-trade clause. But the club's all-time leading scorer maintained steadfastly maintained the position that he has held since the beginning of the year.

"I cannot leave my teammates and join another NHL club at this time," said Sundin.

"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."

Sundin's decision is an unpopular among a select group of Leafs fans who believe that the captain is being disloyal to his team by refusing to be moved. With Toronto clearly out of the playoff picture, the key to the team's long-term success is the initiation of a rebuilding mode, which would naturally begin with trading the club's best asset in exchange for top prospects. Sundin's departure from the lineup would also translate to fewer points in the standings for the Leafs for the balance of the season - thus enhancing the club's position in the draft lottery, in a year in which Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty are available.

From a hockey standpoint, Leafs supporters can be forgiven for feeling unhappy with their captain's decision. The Stanley Cup drought will extend to its 41st year this season, and with no proven nucleus of young players around which to build a contender, the Leafs have lost the opportunity to obtain some much needed youth, as a result of Sundin's choice.

However, at the same time, to suggest that the player who has been the face of the franchise for the past decade is being disloyal is nothing short of ludicrous.

Sundin has toiled for thirteen seasons and 970 games in a Leafs uniform, expending every ounce of his energy on every shift.

His point-a-game pace that he has maintained during his tenure is nothing short of remarkable, considering that practically every winger that has been placed on his line during all this time would be second-or-third line players on most teams.

He has coolly answered dogged questions from the intrusive Toronto media, almost always retaining his composure, rarely uttering an expletive.

He owes nothing else to the city of Toronto, the Maple Leafs hockey club, and its fans.

Sundin is not the one responsible for the current landscape of NHL contracts, where term and no-movement clauses have replaced dollars and cents, and one out of every five players has a no-trade clause.

Leafs management tabled Sundin's most recent contract, which included the no-movement provision, and the captain accepted it. It's important to not confuse the player's prerogative to refuse a trade as a sign of disloyalty to his employer - however much his decision may inhibit the long-term success of the club.

Sundin has exercised his right, which was given to him by management, and owes no explanation - to anyone - for his preference for staying in Toronto.

If anything, it's the fans of Toronto who owe Sundin, for his thirteen years of undying service to the Leafs hockey team.

The best way that the fans can express their gratitude is to respect their captain's decision.

(With player quotes from TSN.ca)