Will T.O. Fans Cheer Or Boo Sundin On His First Visit Back As A Canuck?
Posted February 20, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Prodigal son or pariah?
That’s the question that surrounds the latest Leaf soap opera, as Mats Sundin returns to Toronto for the first time in an enemy uniform on Saturday. The former captain is now using his somewhat diminshed talents with the Vancouver Canucks, after having dithered about an NHL comeback, complicated by his refusal to waive a no-trade clause with his old team.
Toronto fans weren’t especially happy when Sundin flew the coop, knowing it was going to happen and seeing no return on his departure. He stayed off the ice for months, being wooed by the Rangers and the Canucks, who eventually secured his services in a one year US$5.6 million deal.
He hasn’t been back in uniform at the A.C.C. since and now the question is what kind of reception will he receive?
Some fans suggest he’ll get a muted hero’s welcome, a tribute to his long years with the Toronto club, where he became its all time goal and points leader.
Others believe the boo-birds will be out in force, dogging him every time he steps on the ice or touches the puck.
Sundin isn’t too concerned.
“I can’t worry about it,” he said Friday. “All I know is that I spent 13 years there. I spent some great years, I have a lot of great memories of playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Even his teammates aren’t sure what’s next, with fellow Canuck and former Leaf Kyle Wellwood admitting he has no idea how fans will react. He hopes for the former instead of the latter reaction – but he’ll have to wait until Saturday night to find out.
But one thing is certain, the former Leafs captain still commands respect.
“I had seen him from the outside and then to play with him was really neat because you got to see that he was just what I expected, you know, the hardest-working guy on the team, and he was a quiet guy and when he spoke it meant more because he wasn’t a yeller. He wasn’t a screamer. He was positive. And when he did speak, people listened. More importantly than that he led by example,” said Leafs forward Dominic Moore.
“I miss him,” admits former teammate Matt Stajan. “And it will be fun to play against him tomorrow. But it will be kind of weird as well.”.
Photo credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images
