After a couple months of rumours and speculation about the potential movement of Leaf’s Captain Mats Sundin, the dust has settled. Sundin, after being asked to waive his no trade clause, refuses to do so and stays put in Toronto.

Mats Sundin is my favourite player in hockey, and all I can say is that I am happy at his decision. Fans have been all over the board on this one, some liking the decision, some hating the decision. Those that like it speak to the pride, tradition and honour it is to be a Leaf. Those that hate it say he is not loyal to the team and he wasted the future for the Leafs. That, of course, is bull-crap.

He has a no-trade clause, he exercised it, and he was well within his rights. The Leafs just are not the same without Mats Sundin. He doesn’t want to leave for a variety of reasons. He knows what the history of this team and it’s players, and the long-standing tradition of it’s great leaders mean to the city and it’s fans. He has been here for 13 years… who would want to go anywhere else after so long?

The vast majority of fans commenting on the stories on sites like TSN.ca applaud Sundin for his decision. There are of course some naysayers that bash the decision… they are most likely Habs or Sens fans though. They are unhappy that Sundin didn’t come over to their side.

Whether you are for the decision, or against it, I want everyone to read this article by Larry Wigge on NHL.com.

Article: Sundin follows his heart… to Toronto