What is Mats Sundin's problem?

Question

With all due respect to the current captain of the Leafs, who declined to remove his no-trade clause at a time when the team could have benefited from trading him, why is he considering to explore the free agent market at this time?

Especially after he said he wanted to end his career with the Leafs, can anyone be so kind as to explain this to me? Thanks.

Answer 1

Sundin agreed to a smaller contract last time around of about $5.5 million when he could have easily commanded another $2 million a season with another team (For example, McCabe made $2 million more than Sundin last season, if you can believe it!). In return he asked and got the Leafs  to give him a no-trade no-movement clause which gave Sundin the peace of mind he wouldn't be uprooted for the length of the contract.

So last season is winding down and everyone suddenly wants Sundin to give up his no-trade clause just to be a nice guy! No one mentioned the fact that he gave up about $2mil in order to get the no trade deal in the first place. Under NHL rules, the team is not allowed to make up the difference in order get him to agree to a trade. And who knows if the team is traded to will want to sign him long term?

So here we are on draft day, the city has been publicly wishing Mats would go for the past four months, the team doesn't have a real general manager, the ownership is the same, a guy who bottomed out in Phoenix is acting GM, the team hasn't improved at all, and they've hired a coach with a career not much different than the one they just fired.

I don't blame Mats if he has taken a step back and has finally recognized what a dysfunctional monkey house he is working in. Who would want to go through this for another year?

Anyway, all of the Leafs last five captains left for other teams or were traded away. Why break with tradition?

Answer 2

How would you feel if you played the majority of your career with such a bad team.

Answer 3

Mats Sundin has no problem (s). He says what he believes to be true and he sticks by his words.

If people didn't try to s***w him over this situation wouldn't be as is, but good overall because you know what he reserves the right to do whatever he wants.

I'm a Maple Leafs fan and I'm pretty much like s***w the Toronto Maple Leafs.

JP Barry is a pretty great guy. haha. i want to work in his group. i mean having three of you players make news all in one day, emery, malkin, sundin, and many more. love it.

also for all the habs fan hating off our captain saying it'll be a betrayal because he's a leafs. he was a ******* nordiques first so stop being dumb about this. yes maybe you guys will end up giving up some talent/prospects but so be it. i'd like to have a 30 plus pionts guy on my team anyday. maybe not for 7 mill but still i'd bargain hard and try to get the signature.

Answer 4

who knows this **** happens all the time in the NHL just like last year dan breires #1 priority was to stay in buffalo

Answer 5

Because he doesn't like the way the team is going now that Fletcher's in charge. He said those comments about staying with the Leafs before this whole trying-to-get-Burke-as-GM fiasco. As a Leafs fan, I don't blame him for going to a contender instead of playing for some corrupt, two-bit organization who's just going to jerk him around for the rest of his career. It's kind of like Kolzig for the Caps. All those years and only one trip to the Cup Finals (that I can remember) that ended in a sweep.

Answer 6

The Leafs are still trading him before deadline day, so it's not like he is just walking. But I agree with you that he should of waived it mid year, but now I'm thinking it has more to do with him not wanting to pack up and leave in mid season, now he has a whole summer to get situated.