Thank You Mats

It's funny, I've never been a Mats Sundin fan. I've acknowledged his skill and the fact that he was probably the most talented leaf for over a decade. However, I don't think he should have ever been the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Why? Simply because he wasn't the gritty type of hockey player that the Leafs seem to need as a captain.

He had skill, size and flash but did he ever actually manage to lead the Leafs to a cup? Unfortunately no. Perhaps, though, the leadership he gave was that although the squeaky wheel gets the grease, it's better to just sit down shut up and do your job to the best of your abilities. Either way, the interesting point for Saturday night was: How will Toronto fans react to Mats. Will the cheer the man who led the Leafs for years on end, without ever asking to be traded? Or would they boo the player who declared he wanted to be a Leaf for life, loved being in TO, wanted to win a cup here, but who wouldn't lower his salary expectations to make cap room to pick up the extra star the leafs so desperately needed nor waive his no trade clause to try to help the team become better?

In the end, I'm happy to say the fans were what has come to be expected in TO from other places in the world. The fans said thank you Mats in their own way, kicked off by a video tribute during a commercial break and for the first time in my memory the stoic ex-Leaf actually showed some emotion.

So on the record, once and for all. Thank you Mats for all you did. Your skills, ability and leadership will be missed going forward but most of all thank you for not coming back as a Leaf. Not because you aren't skilled or won't be missed but because Toronto needs to have it's younger players step up and take the lead, while you need and deserve to win a cup before the end of your career. Here's to you Mats, may you find success wherever the hockey puck takes you.