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ANAHEIM — The furor over a possible trade of Mats Sundin persisted for a third day yesterday, with the Toronto Maple Leafs' captain patiently explaining — yet again — why he would rather finish his NHL career with the Leafs than accept a trade to a Stanley Cup contender.
First, he considers himself a loyal Maple Leaf and wants to stay with the team. Second, he still thinks the Leafs have a good chance to make the playoffs, despite their struggles. Third, he considers Toronto his home and wants to stay there. Fourth, and this may be the most significant reason, even at 36 with his hockey career winding down, Sundin would not feel comfortable going to another team for a couple of months, even if the payoff would be his first Stanley Cup.
He may have 48 points in 42 games with a team that is a long shot to win a championship, but Sundin does not think he is throwing anything away by staying put.
"I don't think I'm wasting my time," he said. "I still enjoy playing hockey. Part of that enjoyment is being part of a group. You go through things as a group and work together toward a goal. You go through good and bad times for a whole season."
Going to a Cup contender as a rental player would make him feel like an outsider, even if he played a big part in a championship run. And that, Sundin implied, would take a lot of the satisfaction out of the accomplishment.
He also said he has not given any thought to the options in front of him and the Leafs. If Leafs general manager John Ferguson comes to him with a plan, Sundin said he would listen.
As far as agreeing to a trade so the Leafs can get some prospects for him and then re-signing as a free agent come July, Sundin said he has not considered the possibility. Signing a one-year contract last summer was his idea, he added.
"I'm 36 years old, so I want to take it year by year," he said. "For me, it's a little bit of a carrot each year. It puts a little pressure on myself, to keep me hungry every year.
"I want to stay a Toronto Maple Leaf. If they come to me, I'll have to think about it. But in my heart, I don't want to play anywhere else."
