Leafs fans 'deserve the Stanley Cup,' says Hall of Famer Mats Sundin
Sundin says he wishes he could’ve been part of the team to do it, but is thankful for what hockey gave him
Originally published on Oct. 25, 2024.
The closest Mats Sundin came to a Stanley Cup was in 2002. The Toronto Maple Leafs were in Game 6 against the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference finals.
With just seconds left, Sundin shot and scored to tie the game at 1-1. But the Hurricanes would go on to win in overtime, cutting off the Leafs' run at the finals.
"It's devastating, everybody's crying," Sundin told The Current guest host Peter Armstrong.
"You put in so much time and effort since September and you fall just a little bit short. You win 10 games, but you got to win 16, right? You're not far away."
But, despite never winning a Stanley Cup, the long-time Leafs captain says he has no regrets.
"I have zero. Because, you know, hockey … it gave me and my family so much unexpected happiness. And everything we have today is because of hockey," said Sundin.
The Swedish hockey player spent 13 seasons in Toronto, including 11 seasons as the team's captain. Sundin is detailing that career, and the rest of his life, in his new memoir, Home and Away.
WATCH | Why Mats Sundin says he has 'zero' regrets about his hockey career
Playing in Toronto
Sundin first came to Toronto in 1994, when he was traded from the Quebec Nordiques to the Maple Leafs in a deal that included franchise icon Wendel Clark.
It gave Sundin big skates to fill, but he ended up going above and beyond. Sundin would go on to put a permanent mark on the franchise, leaving the team as its all-time leader in goals with 420, and the most points with 987.
And while Sundin played a short stint for the Vancouver Canucks before retiring in 2009, he says nothing compares to playing for the Leafs.
The place to win the Stanley Cup is in Toronto because that's where it would mean the most- Mats Sundin
"There's no market like playing in Toronto," said Sundin.
"Players, I don't care if they grew up in Toronto, 'till they put on the blue and white jersey and actually represent the Maple Leafs, it's impossible to understand what it means."
But it is a tougher market to play in, Sundin says. There's more pressure in Toronto. The team is under the microscope at all times. And whenever a team comes to town, you're getting their best game, even if you're far from the team to beat.
Hope for Stanley Cup
Despite the challenges that come with playing for the Maple Leafs, Sundin says there's no other place he would've wanted to win a title more.
"The place to win the Stanley Cup is in Toronto because that's where it would mean the most," said Sundin.
He recently had the opportunity to see the next team that has a chance of achieving that goal. Sundin was at the Leaf's training camp ahead of this season.
"I'm very impressed [with] the team. Obviously. I think everybody that watches the team knows what they can do on the ice," said Sundin.
The former captain had some advice for star Auston Matthews and company.
"Just keep driving and become a really tight group that buys into coach's program and they're going to have a great spring," said Sundin.
Asked if they've got a chance of winning it all, he says, "of course."
"Toronto Maple Leafs fans deserve the Stanley Cup. And it's been a long time. And you know that hurts that we weren't able to do that, when I look back. But it's going to happen. It's just a matter of time," said Sundin.
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Produced by Ines Colabrese
