February 29, 2008

SUNDIN’S DECISION MEANS THAT RETIRING IS NOW HIS ONLY OPTION

As far as I can ascertain there are three reasons why Mats Sundin chose not to waive his no-trade clause and to remain a Toronto Maple Leaf. 

One—Mats is far too long in the tooth to simply go and help another team win a Stanley Cup.  Unlike Ray Bourque he does not have a burning desire to win a league championship—a world championship with Sweden seems to be enough of an accomplishment for him.  Mats has but one Stanley Cup dream—winning it as a Maple Leaf.  And since he really hasn’t committed to playing another season in the NHL it just isn’t worth changing his daily routine and uprooting his personal life for even a short period of time.

Two—Mats is thinking that if he does decide to play next year, and he’s already agreed on leaving that it would be tremendously difficult to come back.  Either the Leafs would be getting younger and not want to spend the money on a pair of old and expensive legs; or he would enjoy the rare concept of competitive hockey in May, and possibly June—something he has not experienced in years—and want it to continue into next year.  And that would end his dream of retiring as a Leaf.

Three—Mats is such a huge a believer in the Maple Leaf tradition  and feels that living in the city is such a pleasure (he likely envisions spending much of his waning years here) that he, unlike fellow Swede Salming before him, gets to retire as a Maple Leaf.  And whenever Mats, who was denigrated and disrespected in the early years because he was not like previous Leaf captains, would appear in public he would be treated like a hero.  Certainly a fine way to end one’s career.

So how valid are these reasons?

First—just when is it right for a highly paid professional athlete to insist that he would rather cruise the remainder of the season on a mediocre club that likely won’t be in the playoffs rather than enter competitive arenas where you would be expected to expend every ounce of energy you possess.  Sure it’s nice for Mats not to have to push himself anymore—he’s older now, he likes the city, his personal life is stable and very comfortable—but even though he has the contractual right a multi-million dollar athlete shouldn’t be able to put it in second gear when another gear exists.  Should he?

Second—He had to know that being traded would have been a huge boost to the immediate fortunes of his beloved team, and would likely have been an important step for its future.  Going did not preclude the possibility of retiring as a Maple Leaf.  Doug Gilmour returned, if for one game—as did Wendel Clark.  They are the two captains whose reputations caused Mats so much consternation in the beginning.  He could have actually bettered each.  Both Clark and Gilmour were moved out of the organization in basic trades--by volunteering to go Mats would actually be doing so for the betterment of the franchise.  Leaf fans would look upon his departure as selfless and the ultimate act of the perfect Leaf captain. And as far as the dream of winning as a Leaf—well, I’ve got this dream of waking in the morning and having breakfast with Halle Berry after a night of romance and passion.  I think the chance of my dream coming true is equal to his.

Third—Mats feels toward the Leafs like they are family.  There has been too much blood lost; too much pain and suffering, and far too many sleepless nights to have it end here.  If, after a summer of relaxation and reflection, he decides to play again then he would prefer it to be in a Leaf jersey.  If the Leafs decide not to offer him a contract then he would have the choice at that time to play elsewhere or retire as a Leaf.   Right now the options seem limited and the choices—well, they aren’t very appealing.

This is not about blame—Sundin simply exercised his right.  And who among us wouldn’t like the opportunity to have that much control over your life?  The biggest flaw in this entire ordeal absolutely belongs with the Maple Leaf organization for handing out no trade clauses like they were candy at a child’s birthday party.  It’s one thing to have your best players locked in—it’s quite another to have mediocrities like Kubina and McCabe strapped to the organization’s legs like members of a chain gang.  And with a very long prison sentence in tow.   This is about Sundin and his seemingly sedentary competitive nature. 

Sports fans shouldn’t accept a highly skilled professional athlete taking the easy way out.  I know I can’t.

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