racingmeridian.com

ICE…I didn’t tune in for the Mats Sundin tribute last Saturday before the Leafs – Habs game. Indeed, I loathe the ex-Captain and regard him as a key component in the franchises enduring mediocrity.

Hockey literature, from biographies of the likes of Theo Fleury and Wayne Gretzky, to Mark Messier and Bobby Orr, reveal the important role players, particularly the team Captain, have in agitating management for both 1) better players and 2) commitment to a Championship run. The team Captain must take on a leadership role in pushing management to acquire key ingredients essential to a team’s development.

A Captain should want to win, right?

In Toronto the emphasis, at least in era’s not run by Cliff Fletcher or Brian Burke, has been on selling out the building and keeping local yokels in a state of stultified grace. No fuss, no controversy, just a silent acceptance of mediocrity.

Mats Sundin, a dopey lackey, was the dream tool of management.

Instead of insisting the team acquire top notch talent, or advocating for better results, the lanky Swede simply remained quiet and played out disappointing season after disappointing season.

Sundin seemed vexed by the playoffs. He inevitably saved the worst hockey of his career for the post season, evidently wishing he was home in Sweden instead of playing for free.

His act would not have been tolerated in many cities, particularly those where selling tickets was an important aspect to a franchises continued existence. In Toronto he was inexplicably accepted as he doled out an extensive run of middling hockey.

Sundin’s number being raised to the rafters is an insult to intelligence and a mockery of those who pay hard earned cash to support the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto fans know what a committed Captain can mean to a team. They have seen Doug Gilmour play. So why the acceptance of the languorous styling’s of a fairly good second line centre?

It’s hard to accept, but the day of the moron died in Toronto when Brian Burke began the massive renovation of the moribund franchise.

Sundin is a reminder of those would swallow every management excuse and obfuscation.

I want to follow a team that wins. I want to see a Stanley Cup being raised in Toronto

I want to forget Mats Sundin.