Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 2.6

www.afootinthecrease.com

June 28th, 1994 was a defining day in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leaf legend and fan favourite Wendel Clark, along with Sylvian Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and a 1st round pick were sent to the Quebec Nordiques for Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner, and Quebec’s 1st round pick. In addition, the Leafs also acquired a player who would become the team’s 18th captain, record his 500th goal in a Leaf uniform, become one of the most prolific overtime scorers in league history and currently sit tied with Dave Keon for second on the Leafs all time goals list. That player is Mats Sundin.

It was a deal that would shape the future of the franchise for likely what will end up being 15 years but in his early years as a Leaf, life wasn’t easy for Sundin. Sundin had to play in the shadow of the legacy left by the player he was dealt for, Wendel Clark, easily one of the most popular Leafs of all time. Making this difficult for Sundin is the fact that their two styles of play could not be more different. Clark was hard hitting, brash and physical. Sundin plays with tremendous skill, finesse and smarts. Not to compare the two as better or worse, but Leaf fans embraced Clark’s physical workman-like approach to the game and forever complained that Sundin isn’t physical enough. When Sundin became Captain, fans would continue to complain that he wasn’t physical enough, that he wasn’t a leader, that we needed someone like Dougie or Wendel as the captain of our team.

It was only once the Leafs started experiencing some playoff success with Sundin playing a significant role did Leaf fans start to warm up to him. But even then you still heard, “maybe Roberts should be captain” or “Tucker is a better leader than Sundin.”

Now in his twelfth season, Sundin continues to play as well as he ever has for the Leafs. Having shown such loyalty and a true love of being a Leaf, fans seem to finally be appreciating Sundin for the world class player he is. Ride Captain ride. Can’t wait to see number 600!!! But hey, all that was just rigamarole.