GettyEx-Maple Leafs Captain’s Surprise Mats Sundin Career What-If
Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark recently shared an eye-opening what-if scenario regarding Mats Sundin‘s career. Clark believes that Sundin, the Maple Leafs’ all-time points leader, could have thrived in another position. This claim holds weight, considering the Hall of Famer’s strengths on the ice.
Sundin was acquired by the Leafs in a blockbuster trade that sent Clark to the Quebec Nordiques. At the time, Clark was the Leafs’ captain and a beloved player among the fan base. Although there was some early resentment because the organization moved a fan favorite, Sundin quickly solidified himself.
Sundin spent 13 seasons with the Maple Leafs, setting a franchise record with 420 goals and 987 points. However, Clark believes the Swedish hockey legend was capable of even more.
During an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Clark stated that Sundin was best suited to play on the wing. If he had done so, perhaps he would have scored more goals and accumulated even more points.
“Mats Sundin would [have] had 300 more points had he played wing than center,” Clark said. “His two best stat years [were] the year I got traded for him. He played wing with [Joe] Sakic. His first year in Toronto, he played wing with Gilmour.”
He continued:
“Mats was the big strong skater, but not a great skater. Not like flew in, easy. So if you’d have put this big strong guy, put the leg out cutting to the net, he’d have been that big guy that didn’t have to play in his own end.”
Wendel Clark Reveals Why Nordiques Traded Mats Sundin to Maple Leafs
Wendel Clark also revealed why the Quebec Nordiques traded Mats Sundin to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sundin was coming off a strong season with the Nordiques, scoring 32 goals and 53 assists for a total of 85 points.
The Nordiques were a young, talented team with several elite centers on their roster. Because of that, Clark revealed that Sundin was expendable. Quebec wanted to bolster other areas of need and used their center depth to make it happen.
“At center ice in Quebec at the time, they had [Joe] Sakic, [Peter] Forsberg, [Mike] Ricci, Sundin, and [Adam] Deadmarsh,” Clark told The Sheet with Jeff Marek. “They could give up [Sundin] and Toronto needed [him].”
Sundin’s first season with the Leafs was during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 NHL season. That year, he finished with 23 goals and 24 assists for a total of 47 points in 47 games.
Clark Reveals Sundin Was Part of Ex-Leafs GM’s Long-Term Vision
Clark also revealed that Sundin was part of a long-term vision for former Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher.
Doug Gilmour, a 31-year-old veteran at the time, was nearing the end of his prime. Fletcher wanted a star player to build around for the next decade. During his appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Clark noted that Fletcher had a strong ability to make timely decisions.
“Cliff [Fletcher] was thinking, ‘How did I get the next 10-year guy that can center?’ And that was his true calling, was to get that player for post,” Clark said. “He was thinking five years after [Gilmour] and I were gone really, for the next run.”
Former Maple Leafs Captain Drops Surprising What-If About Mats Sundin’s Career