Sure, Mats Sundin is a superstar. He's loyal and loves the Leafs, the city of Toronto, and all his "this side of the fence today" fans. I'll be the first to say that I'd love to see Mats wearing the blue-and-white this year. But are we being selfish?
Mats is a marquee player; a man who can flip the momentum of the game with a simple flick of his wrists. He deserves better than a team that is admittedly not gunning for Tomas Holmstrom's baptismal font this year – heck, maybe not even next. While of course it would be great to see him return to the Leafs, I think we should let him have his shot. For all the respect and love he's shown this city and this team, why not let him play for a contender – Canucks fans, I said contender – like Montreal?
What would we need him for this year, anyway? We shouldn't expect a winning year; we shouldn't even expect a playoff berth. So why do we need number 13? The only problem is that we are, of course, Leafs fans. We hang onto hope, thinking unrealistic thoughts like, maybe this young team Fletcher has built has a chance. Or, maybe with the guidance of Mats, this young, un-tested roster could have just the winning shot Toronto needs. Or, maybe Wilson can take charge of this group of youngsters and we can have the kind of season the Habs had last year!
Not bloody likely. Sure, the Habs had a young team, but they had blossoming superstars. They had Kovalev, Komisarek and Price! We need to realize that, for the Leafs to truly rebuild, they need to have a pitiful, terrible season, so that we can draft Tavares, or some other young superstar the team can be built around.
So let's give Mats his chance to win a cup, and when he comes back to the Air Canada Centre, don't boo him. Instead, give him a standing O. He's earned it.
Agree? Disagree?
E-mail me now (the5hole_editor@live.ca).