O Captain! My Captain!

by Justin.88 on Oct 30, 2011 1:12 PM EDT

This isn't a post about the famous Walt Whitman poem, but rather a post about Mats Sundin.

I was very excited upon hearing the news Mats Sundin would be at the game last night, and even more so excited when Mats received a long standing ovation from the ACC crowd. The excitement culminated at the announcement that Sundin's #13 would be raised to the rafters of the ACC on February 11 against the Montreal Canadiens. I right away went online and purchased tickets to the game. With Sundin playing for the Leafs for 13 years and serving as captain for 10 of them, it had to be done.

It was under very unfortunate circumstances that Mats Sundin exited Toronto chastised, abhorred, and depreciated by many. Aging and close to the end of his career, fans clamored for him to leave via trade. The thinking was well hey, why not get something for him before his contract is up or he retires? I couldn't be more appalled at the lack of respect for our long-time captain. I was in the minority being such a staunch defender of Sundin during his last 2 seasons here that must have been a nightmare. After playing his heart out and being a tremendous captain for so long he was chewed out by the same fans that loved him for so many years. Those now begged him to leave for no good reason. It was not because his stellar play had declined, not because he grew unpopular with the room, but because fans wanted measly compensation for him before he left. I imagine it must have ripped out a part of him inside. A huge shame.

Thankfully, there were no hard feelings between the two parties. Sundin returned to the ACC as a Canuck and received a hero's welcome. The same fans who loved him, then hated him, now loved him once again. When Mats returned for the 2nd time last night, he received another huge ovation. That's the way it should be, and that's the way it will be on February 11 when Sundin's #13 gets raised to the rafters of the Air Canada Centre. I can't hardly wait to salute My Captain.

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Other side of the coin

Those now begged him to leave for no good reason. It was not because his stellar play had declined, not because he grew unpopular with the room, but because fans wanted measly compensation for him before he left. I imagine it must have ripped out a part of him inside. A huge shame.

Leafs traded Wendel Clark for Mats Sundin near the twilight of Clark’s career as well. Should the fans who cheered that trade feel “shame”? If the return could have brought in a player of Mats’ caliber, is it still “no good reason”?

I hold no ill will to Mats, and I loved him when he was here and still to this day. But I stand firmly behind my desire to have him traded back then, and I have no regrets for wishing it happened. Look at what Tomas Kaberle brought the Leafs organization (Joe Colborne, 1st round pick, JM Liles) – a good GM could have gotten that or more for Mats Sundin, and jump-started a badly needed rebuilding process.

No amount of “shame on you” is going to change my mind.

No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 30, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Lets take this a step further though

It was cool to want him to accept a trade to bring stuff back. Did you hate him for exercising his no trade clause though or metaphorically “boo” him.

About time that people finally realized how awesome Gunnar is...
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 31, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve never hated Mats, I don’t think I could. I get why he used his no-trade. The Leafs gave it to him – it’s not his fault he’s used it.

Same thing with Kabby (when it could have been Carter+1st). I AM glad he eventually DID end up waiving for Colborne+1st+Liles

No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 31, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Well thats totally fair.

About time that people finally realized how awesome Gunnar is...
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Nov 4, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

You were captain of the Leafs?

Dangling modifier end of the first paragraph.

by Leaf in Habland on Oct 30, 2011 2:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I’m not going to trade in my wife for a younger, more athletic model whose skills are in her prime. Why? Because I love my wife. And I loved Mats! And you don’t trade the people you love.

Go Mats Go!

(this is obviously partly in jest. The fact that I need to explicitly mention that speaks volume as to the level of intelligence of people on the internet)

by Theodles on Oct 30, 2011 7:53 PM EDT reply actions

Less about the intelligence and more how many people want to argue just for the sake of arguing.

Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.

by Blinky on Oct 31, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Usually when you talk about trading your wife, she exercises HER no-trade clause, then walks for nothing.

Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.

by Brunswick Bruiser on Nov 1, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I love mats more then the next guy

unless the next guy is in mats family. i wanted him traded though to do exactly what cheapshot said above, to fill some of the very empty shelves. imagine we traded him for Kessel and Bostons first? we would still be honoring his name and number at this exact same point in time and we wouldn’t have forgotten all the good he did for our franchise.

@phoking_awesome

by pho king awesome on Oct 31, 2011 12:21 AM EDT reply actions