7 Cool Things About Ex-Maple Leafs’ Captain Mats Sundin

At the time, Sundin was a highly-regarded prospect who had just completed a standout season with the Swedish team Djurgårdens IF. The Nordiques believed his size, skill, and offensive abilities would make him a strong NHL player. They were correct. 

Sundin played eight seasons in Quebec before he was traded to the Maple Leafs. He played 13 seasons with Toronto. 

Cool Thing #4: Sundin’s Trade to the Maple Leafs Was Key

Sundin was traded to the Maple Leafs from the Nordiques on June 28, 1994. It was a huge trade for the Maple Leafs. However, at the time there was some pushback from Maple Leafs’ fans because one of their most beloved team members – Wendel Clark was moved east. 

In the deal, the Maple Leafs sent Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson, and a first-round pick (Nashville Predators’ pick which became Brad Brown) to the Nordiques in exchange for Sundin. At the time, they needed a first-line center and he was considered one of the best. The season before the trade, he had scored 110 points.

Cool Thing #5: Sundin Has Long Tenure as Maple Leafs’ Captain

Sundin served as the Maple Leafs’ captain from 1997 to 2008. During his tenure, he brought several important qualities to the team. These included his locker-room leadership. He was also a vocal presence on the ice. 

Sundin led by example; he demonstrated a strong work ethic and determination. He was not only the team’s highest-scoring player but also one of the team’s hardest-working players. In short, he was a uniting force on the team

Cool Thing #6: Sundin Played for the Maple Leafs During Team’s Famine

Sadly, during his time with the Maple Leafs, Sundin-led teams had mixed success. Although the Maple Leafs made the playoffs several times during Sundin’s time with the team, they were not considered a strong team. The Maple Leafs, as noted earlier, did make the Eastern Conference Final in 1999.

However, the Maple Leafs also struggled in Sundin’s later years and regularly failed to make the playoffs. The team simply could not find consistency. It lacked depth and never surrounded him with enough talented players to make a deep playoff run.

Cool Thing #7: Sundin’s Maple Leafs’ Legacy Is Solid

Despite the Maple Leafs’ lack of success during Sundin’s time with the team, he was always a consistent performer both on the Maple Leafs and in the NHL. He was also one of the best players in the league.

Because he was mostly the “show” in Toronto, he remained a fan favorite who was beloved for his hard work, determination, and leadership. Both on and off the ice, he will have a lasting legacy as part of the Maple Leafs franchise.

Imagine Sundin’s Career if the Maple Leafs Would Have Been Good

Not everything about Sundin’s time with the Maple Leafs is “cool.” During the second half of his career, the team was in a constant rebuilding process. They were never really a contender during his tenure. Still, he played at a high level and was a model of reliability and consistency during his career.

Sundin was a 200-foot player, who could be counted on both offensively and defensively. He was one of the team’s top scorers every season. Furthermore, he remained that same kind of consistent player in over 1,300 games with the Maple Leafs.

Sundin is one of the Maple Leafs’ greatest players ever.