I hate the way Sundin is being portrayed as the sole obstacle standing in the way of a brighter future for the Maple Leafs out of pure self-interest and greed.  There is no deus-ex-machina in hockey, no one magical prospect who will descend from the heavens and instantly set the franchise on the route to playoff contention - not when things are so fouled up in Toronto that it will take more than one off-season to fix the mess, and if Sundin wants to see it through and do whatever he can to help his team win, he’s showing more guts than many players would.

I had the same thought when I read about ideas for forcing him out - good luck trying to get or keep decent players once it is blindingly obvious you treat your employees like crap.

And if Toronto’s chances of making the playoffs were slightly better, and he asked for a trade, how long before the media chorus would accuse him of deserting his teammates like a rat leaving a sinking ship?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/21/08 at 09:23 PM ET

I agree with Baroques points. I also wonder why GM’s would ever allow that clause in the first place, only to turn around and bemoan those same clauses later(supposedly). If you sign a contract, honor the contract, right?

Posted by Aaron from Phoenix, Arizona on 02/21/08 at 09:58 PM ET

Great article by Spector—I’m glad someone laid it out so well.  Especially after reading that insane article by Scott Burnside yesterday…

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 02/21/08 at 10:02 PM ET

Thanks, Alanah. It was Burnside’s article that sparked it. For me that was the last straw. Burnside’s better than that, and I just couldn’t believe how hateful (for lack of a better word) his article was. I just felt a response was needed.

Posted by Lyle Richardson from Charlottetown, PEI, Canada on 02/21/08 at 10:07 PM ET

There is no deus-ex-machina in hockey…

Okay, I’m confused. One minute Miss B is calling for a “puck in the jaw” for Lady Laperriere and the next minute she’s pulling out Latin phrases filled with sublime significance. Who the heck are you, Miss B?

As for the Sundin situation, just try to imagine the same scenario 12 years ago with Stevie Y as the protagonist (how about that one, eh, Miss B?). I can’t believe anyone here would be calling for Stevie Y to “rent himself out” for a few months in order to bring in assets that would make the Wings better.

I hear a lot about how passionate the Leaf fans are, but this whole Sundin issue tells me they’re more interested in their own interests than they are in the interests of their team and, arguably, their most loyal player.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/21/08 at 11:28 PM ET

Great article, Lyle. One nit to pick, though…

These criticisms however are baseless and silly, petty carping by disgruntled followers of a so-called hockey institution seeking any scapegoat for the second-longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL history.

I think you mean second longest active drought? While I’m not sure where 41 years ranks all-time, it’s certainly no higher than fourth. The Rangers (54), Blackhawks (46 and counting), and Red Wings (42) all “better” the Buds’ current mark. It may also be worth noting that the Blues and Kings are tied with Toronto in terms of futility.

Posted by shep from california on 02/22/08 at 03:19 AM ET

...I just couldn’t believe how hateful (for lack of a better word) his article was.

Hateful is the best word.  I couldn’t believe the level of venom towards Sundin - an attitude of, “How DARE you stand in the way of our organizational strategy!”

Business is business, and sometimes cold, but you can treat people like actual human beings instead of assets like printer cartridges or something.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 02/22/08 at 05:29 AM ET

Thanks, shep, good point. I’ve corrected it.

Posted by Lyle Richardson from Charlottetown, PEI, Canada on 02/22/08 at 05:52 AM ET

Did anyone need any more proof that the Toronto media and fan base are a little bit… um, nuts?

I sure didn’t.

While I don’t understand why Sundin would want to dedicate his career playing for a largely futile organization with an apparently cannibalistic media and fanbase, the notion that he’s somehow less of a person for doing so is quite simply irrational and vindictive.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 02/22/08 at 06:58 AM ET

Well said Lyle.  Unfortunately for Mats, leaf fans are indeed the dumbest of sheep and will take anything written by Cox, Simmons, amongst others, as gospel.

I’ve yet to talk to a leaf fan yet, East of Ontario that thinks Mats is selfish, or standing in the way of any future success, guess we’re not drinking the same kool-aid down here.

Posted by Dan from Halifax on 02/22/08 at 07:54 AM ET