What's wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs? How can a franchise that is strong financially, and has the opportunity to hire whomever it wants, continue to struggle year after year after year?
It's simple my friends...
MLSE.
The Toronto Maple Leafs NEED to come up with a different business model in order to succeed. As it stands, John Ferguson Jr. is the General Manager of the Maple Leafs. However, in order to pull the trigger on a trade it needs to get cleared by the team President and the MLSE board. That's way too much red tape for an organization, not to mention the fact that it makes JFJ nothing more than the "voice" of the Leafs. He's really got no power in that organization.
So it's time that MLSE do its job and stay in the board room and let the knowledgeable hockey people run the show. If they want to see success, that's the only way it's going to happen.
Full Version: Toronto Maple Leafs
What are you talking about?!????
I think the Maple Leaves are doing just fine.....
I think the Maple Leaves are doing just fine.....
Blueraider - play nice!
After all your Sabres are seemingly following in the Leafs footsteps having lost something like 6 in a row now...
As for the problems with Leafs - I've said it before - I'll say it again - until there is another team in the Southern Ontario market - and the Leafs have some local competition that may steal away some of the fans and money from MLSE by having a better local team that people want to support - MLSE and the Teacher's Pension fund - will contnue to operate the Leafs the way they have. Motivated solely by maximizing profit - winning be damned. Their current structure is an absolute joke. That some bean counter accountant working for the Teachers Pension fund (the largest shareholder of MLSE stock) has the final say on whether or not the Leafs trade Mats Sundin to get some young prospects or draft choices - since he is a free agent after this year - is a complete joke.
By the way 2 full pages in today's Star sports section were stories about who the Leafs should get for Mats. And they even had a number of former GM's suggesting who they thought the Leafs should go for in a trade for Sundin. He has been nothing short of brilliant this season and any team serious about taking a run at the cup this year should be taking a good long hard look at trying to pry him from the Leafs.
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/292233
There was also a front page story earlier this week that may give Leaf fans reason for optimism. Apparently SUPER RICH local billionaire Alex Schnaider is snooping around and considering making an offer on the Leafs. He is a former owner of a Formula One race car team.
http://www.thestar.com/article/291221
After all your Sabres are seemingly following in the Leafs footsteps having lost something like 6 in a row now...
As for the problems with Leafs - I've said it before - I'll say it again - until there is another team in the Southern Ontario market - and the Leafs have some local competition that may steal away some of the fans and money from MLSE by having a better local team that people want to support - MLSE and the Teacher's Pension fund - will contnue to operate the Leafs the way they have. Motivated solely by maximizing profit - winning be damned. Their current structure is an absolute joke. That some bean counter accountant working for the Teachers Pension fund (the largest shareholder of MLSE stock) has the final say on whether or not the Leafs trade Mats Sundin to get some young prospects or draft choices - since he is a free agent after this year - is a complete joke.
By the way 2 full pages in today's Star sports section were stories about who the Leafs should get for Mats. And they even had a number of former GM's suggesting who they thought the Leafs should go for in a trade for Sundin. He has been nothing short of brilliant this season and any team serious about taking a run at the cup this year should be taking a good long hard look at trying to pry him from the Leafs.
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/292233
There was also a front page story earlier this week that may give Leaf fans reason for optimism. Apparently SUPER RICH local billionaire Alex Schnaider is snooping around and considering making an offer on the Leafs. He is a former owner of a Formula One race car team.
http://www.thestar.com/article/291221
Yikes, hope I didn't zing too hard....I'm just playing Pat 
.
Agreed on a second franchise....and that whole setup of the Leaves hierarchy much resembles my beloved New York Knicks...a faceless corporate ownership that scuttles whatever the sports dept of said franchise tries to do in the name of profit. At least in NY they can blame things on Dolan and Isiah Thomas though.
Now there's a scary thought...Isiah still in Toronto doing all he can to destroy the Raptors.....yikes!
.Agreed on a second franchise....and that whole setup of the Leaves hierarchy much resembles my beloved New York Knicks...a faceless corporate ownership that scuttles whatever the sports dept of said franchise tries to do in the name of profit. At least in NY they can blame things on Dolan and Isiah Thomas though.
Now there's a scary thought...Isiah still in Toronto doing all he can to destroy the Raptors.....yikes!
Well - the Leafs hit a new emabarrasing low last night. Down 4-0 at the end of the 1st period to the last place team in the league and 5-0 by early in the 2nd. Leafs managed to make the Kings look like the Senators or Wings last night. Absolutely embarrasing.
The poor effort from everybody was a disgrace. The defence was a joke as was Raycroft's goaltending. He could not stop a puck without giving up a juicy rebound if his life depended upon it. Pathetic.
Time to blow this ship up and start from scratch.
And the basketball side of the operation - which at least has qualified people like Colangelo running the show - get to visit Blue Raiders incompetent Knicks tonight. One of the commentators on Raptor telecasts put forth an interesting theory on why Isiah is not gone already. The execs at MSG are going to make him suffer through this until he finally gives up and walks in to arrange a buy out at a reduced rate of his contract extension the the STUPID MSG execs gave him late last season rather than fire him and having to pay him the entire amount.
The poor effort from everybody was a disgrace. The defence was a joke as was Raycroft's goaltending. He could not stop a puck without giving up a juicy rebound if his life depended upon it. Pathetic.
Time to blow this ship up and start from scratch.
And the basketball side of the operation - which at least has qualified people like Colangelo running the show - get to visit Blue Raiders incompetent Knicks tonight. One of the commentators on Raptor telecasts put forth an interesting theory on why Isiah is not gone already. The execs at MSG are going to make him suffer through this until he finally gives up and walks in to arrange a buy out at a reduced rate of his contract extension the the STUPID MSG execs gave him late last season rather than fire him and having to pay him the entire amount.
This was posted elsewhere from someone who lives in Ontario...ouch!
About the only good thing about living in Leaf Nation is getting emails like this:
Toronto Maple Leafs 2008 Schedule
January
15 vs. Bloomington Jr. High School Girls
22 vs. Cub Scout Troop #101
29 vs. Ontario Blind Academy
February
5 vs. Spanish - American War Vets
12 vs. Crippled Children's Hospital
19 vs. St. Cloud Home for Wayward Girls
26 vs. Girl Scout Troop #69
March
5 vs. Ontario VD Clinic Post #3
12 vs. Toronto Boy's Choir
19 vs. Korean War Amputees
26 vs. VA Hospital Polio Patients
Special Monday Night Game:
March
3 vs. Utopia Gay Boys
Name Change:
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be changed to the Toronto Tampons as they are only good for one period, and they don't have a second string.
Coaching Change:
Paul Maurice will be replaced by Pamela Anderson. No doubt she will blow a few, but she won't choke up on the BIG ONE.
Rule Changes:
1. When playing the Girl Scouts, the Leafs must not eat their cookies.
2. The Leafs will be allowed to substitute with band members at any time during the game.
3. When playing the Polio Patients, the Leafs must not disconnect any of the leg braces.
4. There will be no more dancing with opposing teams, like the last time they played the Utopia Gay Boys.
5. The Leafs MUST PROMISE to remember that when the referee drops the puck, this signals the beginning of play. this is to ensure that no more time will be wasted while the Leafs try to figure out what just happened.
6. The Leafs must also stop tangling the crippled children in the net mesh.
About the only good thing about living in Leaf Nation is getting emails like this:
Toronto Maple Leafs 2008 Schedule
January
15 vs. Bloomington Jr. High School Girls
22 vs. Cub Scout Troop #101
29 vs. Ontario Blind Academy
February
5 vs. Spanish - American War Vets
12 vs. Crippled Children's Hospital
19 vs. St. Cloud Home for Wayward Girls
26 vs. Girl Scout Troop #69
March
5 vs. Ontario VD Clinic Post #3
12 vs. Toronto Boy's Choir
19 vs. Korean War Amputees
26 vs. VA Hospital Polio Patients
Special Monday Night Game:
March
3 vs. Utopia Gay Boys
Name Change:
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be changed to the Toronto Tampons as they are only good for one period, and they don't have a second string.
Coaching Change:
Paul Maurice will be replaced by Pamela Anderson. No doubt she will blow a few, but she won't choke up on the BIG ONE.
Rule Changes:
1. When playing the Girl Scouts, the Leafs must not eat their cookies.
2. The Leafs will be allowed to substitute with band members at any time during the game.
3. When playing the Polio Patients, the Leafs must not disconnect any of the leg braces.
4. There will be no more dancing with opposing teams, like the last time they played the Utopia Gay Boys.
5. The Leafs MUST PROMISE to remember that when the referee drops the puck, this signals the beginning of play. this is to ensure that no more time will be wasted while the Leafs try to figure out what just happened.
6. The Leafs must also stop tangling the crippled children in the net mesh.
Up 2-0 after forty minutes of play and then they fall apart... losing 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks.
Yikes!
Yikes!
Received this advisory from the OPP in my e-mail this morning:
I just wanted to give you a warning that if you are planning on visiting Ontario, and are heading up toward the Toronto area on the 401 highway this winter.
The Ontario Provincial Police are cracking down on speeders.
For the first offense they are giving two tickets to the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game.
If you are stopped the second time they make you use them!!
From Wikipedia, in reference to the Saturday double-header format on CBC:
The second game airs at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) featuring one of the three teams from Western Canada (the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, or Vancouver Canucks).
UNLESS, of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on a western road trip, in which case, they MUST have their game televised on HNIC (the 'C' in the case last night referring to California). None of the three western Canadian teams were scheduled to play on Saturday (an extremely rare situation), so obviously the schedule makers planned it that way to ensure the Leafs got their 'fair share' of TV exposure. The earlier game featured two dismal teams (Senators vs Red Wings) which wouldn't be of much interest to anyone in the Toronto area!
Sorry Travelpat, don't take this too seriously, I know you like your Leafs!
I just wanted to give you a warning that if you are planning on visiting Ontario, and are heading up toward the Toronto area on the 401 highway this winter.
The Ontario Provincial Police are cracking down on speeders.
For the first offense they are giving two tickets to the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game.
If you are stopped the second time they make you use them!!
From Wikipedia, in reference to the Saturday double-header format on CBC:
The second game airs at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) featuring one of the three teams from Western Canada (the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, or Vancouver Canucks).
UNLESS, of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on a western road trip, in which case, they MUST have their game televised on HNIC (the 'C' in the case last night referring to California). None of the three western Canadian teams were scheduled to play on Saturday (an extremely rare situation), so obviously the schedule makers planned it that way to ensure the Leafs got their 'fair share' of TV exposure. The earlier game featured two dismal teams (Senators vs Red Wings) which wouldn't be of much interest to anyone in the Toronto area!
Sorry Travelpat, don't take this too seriously, I know you like your Leafs!
Hey Marc - no offense taken - just like the Leafs have no offence - or defence - and a uselesxs back-up goalie - Raycroft.
This is getting beyond ridiculous now. One column by Damien Cox in today's Star is a good description of the sad Leaf history of late and the lack of smarts in the Executive of MLSE. The story - headlined:
'One Step Forward, Four Back' - gives some examples of the backwards thinking that seems to be the norm for the Leafs over the last 40 years. The column starts:
***************
There are many reasons why the Leafs can't move forward. One is that this franchise can never resist moving backwards.
They fired Punch Imlach in 1969 because he was running the team into the ground. Then they brought him back a decade later to finish the job. Carl Brewer walked out on the team in 1965. They brought him back 15 years later at age 41 and he aptly demonstrated he couldn't play anymore. Wendel Clark was the future when he was drafted in 1985, and no longer the future when he was traded away for Mats Sundin in 1994. Then they brought him back. Twice. Doug Gilmour brought the last sense of glory to the team with the run to the conference finals in '93 and '94, but by the winter of 1997 was gone for a package of futures - Jason Smith, Alyn McCauley and Steve Sullivan. Five years later, he was back again, if only for an unbelievably brief time. Then he came back again as an executive.
Now So of course the Leafs have reached out to Cliff Fletcher. It's the only hockey executive's name most of these dummies would know. Come on back, Cliff. All is forgiven. At a time when rebuilding through the draft is the only way to go, why not re-hire the man who coined the phrase, "Draft, schmaft?" Does nobody remember that in Fletcher's last season the Leafs finished with 68 points and were even worse than they are now? Doesn't anybody remember they didn't even get to use that miserable season to draft high because the No. 4 pick was traded to the New York Islanders, who selected Roberto Luongo?
********************
Just insane! And this lighter article - also in today's Star coming up with names for the brown bags Leaf fans will soon start to wear to the ACC.
The Andrew Raycroft Bag - Has 4.01 holes per game in it
The Compost Bag - Rots along with the season
The Jason Blake "Sniper" Ba - No eyeholes
The Surrender Bag - Comes with white flag taped to it
The Richard Peddie Bag - Put on head, count fingers
The Fergie Bag - Ask permission before donning
The Mats Sundin Bag - Stanley Cup-proof
The Carlo Colaiacovo Bag - Like new, rarely used
The Kyle Wellwood Bag - Slick, but empty
The Body Bag - One size fits all blueliners
The Larry Tanenbaum Bag - Made of money
The MLSE Bag - It reaches into your pocket
(my favourite) The Jiri Tlusty Bag - Comes with web cam
The Paul Maurice Bag - Already packed
Actually in truth the Leafs seem to be in about the same brutal position their NBA cousin Raptors were in 2-3 years ago and to their credit MLSE landed the perfect GM in Bryan Colangelo who is largely responsibe for a dramatic turnaround of that team. (Although Bargnani as the first overall pick is not looking so great with him in a lengthy sophomore slump). Here's hoping MLSE land a Colangelo like GM for the Leafs.
This is getting beyond ridiculous now. One column by Damien Cox in today's Star is a good description of the sad Leaf history of late and the lack of smarts in the Executive of MLSE. The story - headlined:
'One Step Forward, Four Back' - gives some examples of the backwards thinking that seems to be the norm for the Leafs over the last 40 years. The column starts:
***************
There are many reasons why the Leafs can't move forward. One is that this franchise can never resist moving backwards.
They fired Punch Imlach in 1969 because he was running the team into the ground. Then they brought him back a decade later to finish the job. Carl Brewer walked out on the team in 1965. They brought him back 15 years later at age 41 and he aptly demonstrated he couldn't play anymore. Wendel Clark was the future when he was drafted in 1985, and no longer the future when he was traded away for Mats Sundin in 1994. Then they brought him back. Twice. Doug Gilmour brought the last sense of glory to the team with the run to the conference finals in '93 and '94, but by the winter of 1997 was gone for a package of futures - Jason Smith, Alyn McCauley and Steve Sullivan. Five years later, he was back again, if only for an unbelievably brief time. Then he came back again as an executive.
Now So of course the Leafs have reached out to Cliff Fletcher. It's the only hockey executive's name most of these dummies would know. Come on back, Cliff. All is forgiven. At a time when rebuilding through the draft is the only way to go, why not re-hire the man who coined the phrase, "Draft, schmaft?" Does nobody remember that in Fletcher's last season the Leafs finished with 68 points and were even worse than they are now? Doesn't anybody remember they didn't even get to use that miserable season to draft high because the No. 4 pick was traded to the New York Islanders, who selected Roberto Luongo?
********************
Just insane! And this lighter article - also in today's Star coming up with names for the brown bags Leaf fans will soon start to wear to the ACC.
The Andrew Raycroft Bag - Has 4.01 holes per game in it
The Compost Bag - Rots along with the season
The Jason Blake "Sniper" Ba - No eyeholes
The Surrender Bag - Comes with white flag taped to it
The Richard Peddie Bag - Put on head, count fingers
The Fergie Bag - Ask permission before donning
The Mats Sundin Bag - Stanley Cup-proof
The Carlo Colaiacovo Bag - Like new, rarely used
The Kyle Wellwood Bag - Slick, but empty
The Body Bag - One size fits all blueliners
The Larry Tanenbaum Bag - Made of money
The MLSE Bag - It reaches into your pocket
(my favourite) The Jiri Tlusty Bag - Comes with web cam
The Paul Maurice Bag - Already packed
Actually in truth the Leafs seem to be in about the same brutal position their NBA cousin Raptors were in 2-3 years ago and to their credit MLSE landed the perfect GM in Bryan Colangelo who is largely responsibe for a dramatic turnaround of that team. (Although Bargnani as the first overall pick is not looking so great with him in a lengthy sophomore slump). Here's hoping MLSE land a Colangelo like GM for the Leafs.
The only reason why Bryan Colangelo has worked out with the Raptors is because MLSE gave him COMPLETE CONTROL over the organization. He has his fingerprints all over that franchise now... something that is sorely missing with the Maple Leafs.
So until Peddie can get his inflated ego down to an acceptable level, the Leafs will continue to be an embarasment. Hire a GM that knows what he's doing, and give him complete control... then and only then will the Leafs begin their journey back to being a contender.
Side note... Andrea Bargnani was a great pick by Toronto. Dude has a ton of talent and a lot of players go through sophmore slumps... don't give up on the Italian Stallion just yet!
PS - Bargnani is ubber hot and I loved that Tlusty comment hahaha he too is pretty cute haha
So until Peddie can get his inflated ego down to an acceptable level, the Leafs will continue to be an embarasment. Hire a GM that knows what he's doing, and give him complete control... then and only then will the Leafs begin their journey back to being a contender.
Side note... Andrea Bargnani was a great pick by Toronto. Dude has a ton of talent and a lot of players go through sophmore slumps... don't give up on the Italian Stallion just yet!
PS - Bargnani is ubber hot and I loved that Tlusty comment hahaha he too is pretty cute haha
The winds of change are blowing through the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
John Ferguson Jr. has been fired as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was replaced on an interim basis by former Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher.
Fletcher signed a 19-month contract with the Leafs. Once the team hires a President/GM, he will become a consultant with the organization.
Richard Peddie, President and CEO of MLSE, has said that the new GM will have a "Colangelo" type role.
Some names being thrown out there include...
Brian Burke, Jim Rutherford, Scotty Bowman, Ken Holland...
One name that I haven't heard yet, but I would think would be a strong candidate for the position is Neil Smith. He won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers, is used to intense media pressure, and knows the game well... he may be a perfect fit in the "Center of the Universe".
John Ferguson Jr. has been fired as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was replaced on an interim basis by former Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher.
Fletcher signed a 19-month contract with the Leafs. Once the team hires a President/GM, he will become a consultant with the organization.
Richard Peddie, President and CEO of MLSE, has said that the new GM will have a "Colangelo" type role.
Some names being thrown out there include...
Brian Burke, Jim Rutherford, Scotty Bowman, Ken Holland...
One name that I haven't heard yet, but I would think would be a strong candidate for the position is Neil Smith. He won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers, is used to intense media pressure, and knows the game well... he may be a perfect fit in the "Center of the Universe".
QUOTE(Enigma @ Jan 22 2008, 01:59 PM) 
One name that I haven't heard yet, but I would think would be a strong candidate for the position is Neil Smith. He won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers, is used to intense media pressure, and knows the game well... he may be a perfect fit in the "Center of the Universe".
I'm in favor of anything that gets Neil Smith out of TV studios. He isn't on Versus any more, but I see him now and then on NHL Network.
So I'm guessing there's a lot of joy in Toronto over this?
I can't really say much since I'm not living in Toronto but from what I understand, it was a well deserved move. From the Leafs fans I've spoken to today, they all agreed that John Ferguson Jr. had to go.
So it'll be interesting to see what happens next. I think Cliff Fletcher should tell Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade clause but with an understanding that the Leafs will re-sign him on July 1st (Unrestricted Free Agent Day)... that way the Leafs will get a huge package for Sundin at the deadline, and then get to keep Sundin for next season. It's a win-win-lose situation... win for the leafs, win for Sundin, lose for whatever teams gives up a lot in hopes that Sundin will help them win a Stanley Cup.
So it'll be interesting to see what happens next. I think Cliff Fletcher should tell Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade clause but with an understanding that the Leafs will re-sign him on July 1st (Unrestricted Free Agent Day)... that way the Leafs will get a huge package for Sundin at the deadline, and then get to keep Sundin for next season. It's a win-win-lose situation... win for the leafs, win for Sundin, lose for whatever teams gives up a lot in hopes that Sundin will help them win a Stanley Cup.
If so many teams are still realistically in the playoff picture (or at least think they are) at the trade deadline, I wonder how that will affect deals. Will there be fewer deals, because teams won't be willing to lose certain players just to make a deal for someone like Sundin? Will there be more, because teams think they need to add something to guarantee a playoff spot and/or long postseason run?
The opening line in Damien Cox's column in today's Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs just never learn their lesson.
Title of Dave Feschuk's article in Toronto Star: Short-sighted Leafs blinded by almighty buck
From The Globe and Mail: "(Leafs hope) lightning strikes twice"... as they look for "a hockey version of Raptors manager Bryan Colangelo."
National Post: New management's message is muddled
Steve Simmons in the Toronto Sun: "Peddie's refusal to step down from decision-making process a mistake... The man who gave you John Ferguson and (former Raptor GM) Rob Babcock is back at it again."
Title of Dave Feschuk's article in Toronto Star: Short-sighted Leafs blinded by almighty buck
From The Globe and Mail: "(Leafs hope) lightning strikes twice"... as they look for "a hockey version of Raptors manager Bryan Colangelo."
National Post: New management's message is muddled
Steve Simmons in the Toronto Sun: "Peddie's refusal to step down from decision-making process a mistake... The man who gave you John Ferguson and (former Raptor GM) Rob Babcock is back at it again."
So there's not as much joy as I thought there'd be.
MLSE truly are a joke with how pathetically they are operating what should be the NHL's marquee franchise. They don't really seem to have anybody with hockey knowlege truly in charge. They've had no general manager for months now. Cliff Fletcher is supposedly the acting GM - but rumour has it that he was not the person who decided to fire Paul Maurice as coach yesterday.
Even worse MLSE executives have been quoted as saying they do not feel they need to rush to find a GM as long as they have one in place by September. Boy is that ever great news for Leaf fans if they really wait that long to replace the GM. Whose going to be at the draft table - the head of the Ontario Teachers Pension fund who hold the most shares of MLSE? How stupid can they be?
They must have a GM in place for the draft - so that he has the opportunity to draft and/or trade for the type of players he wants for his team - and ideally you would like to have a coach in place too - so that he can be a part of those player decisions.
What a joke!
Here are some links to a couple of reports on this fiasco that is the Leafs.
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/422832
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/422768
Even worse MLSE executives have been quoted as saying they do not feel they need to rush to find a GM as long as they have one in place by September. Boy is that ever great news for Leaf fans if they really wait that long to replace the GM. Whose going to be at the draft table - the head of the Ontario Teachers Pension fund who hold the most shares of MLSE? How stupid can they be?
They must have a GM in place for the draft - so that he has the opportunity to draft and/or trade for the type of players he wants for his team - and ideally you would like to have a coach in place too - so that he can be a part of those player decisions.
What a joke!
Here are some links to a couple of reports on this fiasco that is the Leafs.
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/422832
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/422768
That is sad. You would like to think that sooner or later they would get their act togther.....good luck up there.
Mats Sundin has won the Mark Messier Leadership Award for 2007 - 2008. This from TSN.CA.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mats Sundin has been named the winner of the 2007-08 Mark Messier Leadership Award. The award recognizes Sundin's outstanding performance as a player, his leadership skills and his dedicated humanitarian efforts.
"The truest test of leadership comes during periods of adversity," said Messier. "When presented with difficult times during the season, Mats Sundin remained committed to his teammates, his community and to the game of hockey. I am honored to present the Mark Messier Leadership Award to Mats Sundin. He understands the importance of his status in Toronto and his dedication to his community is unmatched. The strength of his character makes Mats a tremendous role model both on and off the ice."
"I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award," said Sundin. "I thank Mark for this honor as well as my current and former teammates for their tremendous support. I strongly believe that an important part of being an athlete is to be a great teammate, leader and philanthropist."
Off the ice, Sundin has been a member of the Maple Leafs organization since 1994 and a supporter of the Leafs Fund, an organization committed to improving the health and wellness of children and youth in the Toronto community through access to sports and recreation opportunities.
On the ice, led the team in goals (32), assists (46) and points (78) and became the all-time franchise leader in goals and points.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mats Sundin has been named the winner of the 2007-08 Mark Messier Leadership Award. The award recognizes Sundin's outstanding performance as a player, his leadership skills and his dedicated humanitarian efforts.
"The truest test of leadership comes during periods of adversity," said Messier. "When presented with difficult times during the season, Mats Sundin remained committed to his teammates, his community and to the game of hockey. I am honored to present the Mark Messier Leadership Award to Mats Sundin. He understands the importance of his status in Toronto and his dedication to his community is unmatched. The strength of his character makes Mats a tremendous role model both on and off the ice."
"I am honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award," said Sundin. "I thank Mark for this honor as well as my current and former teammates for their tremendous support. I strongly believe that an important part of being an athlete is to be a great teammate, leader and philanthropist."
Off the ice, Sundin has been a member of the Maple Leafs organization since 1994 and a supporter of the Leafs Fund, an organization committed to improving the health and wellness of children and youth in the Toronto community through access to sports and recreation opportunities.
On the ice, led the team in goals (32), assists (46) and points (78) and became the all-time franchise leader in goals and points.
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