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Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is putting his luxurious Forest Hill home up for sale with an asking price of $6.499-million.

The sale of the house, for which Mr. Sundin is reported to have paid $4.6-million one year ago, inevitably raises questions about the future of the long-time National Hockey League superstar in Toronto.

Mr. Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, said yesterday that his client remains committed to the Leafs and wants to continue playing in Toronto. "Mats bleeds [Leaf] blue," Mr. Barry said. "There is nothing behind this as far as I know."

The Leafs failed to make the playoffs this spring for the first time since 1998, resulting in the firing of coach Pat Quinn and rampant speculation that wholesale roster changes are necessary — not only to turn around the club's fortunes, but to keep Mr. Sundin in town.The Leafs captain has one season remaining on his contract that will pay him $6.84-million (all figures U.S.) in 2006-07. There is a club option for the 2007-08 season worth $5.32-million. But if the Leafs decide not to execute the option or if Mr. Sundin decides to retire next summer, the club would owe him $760,000.

Mr. Sundin, 35, said after the season that he wants to remain with the Leafs, but added that not winning the Stanley Cup and missing the 2006 playoffs was maddening.

"It's frustrating to miss the playoffs, it doesn't matter if you are 19 or 35," he said. "I'm getting to the point of my career where you are running out of time in terms of winning a championship in the National Hockey League."

Mr. Sundin and his girlfriend, Tina Fagerstrom, have shared the four-bedroom house for about one year, but real estate agent Mike Walton of Re/Max Professionals Inc. isn't giving any hints about his client's career plans. Mr. Walton said the Leafs captain may look for another property in the Toronto area.

Mr. Walton — a centre for the Leafs from 1965 to 1966 and again in 1970 and 71 through a long NHL career — often represents hockey players in their real estate transactions.

Mr. Walton, along with former Maple Leafs captain Doug Gilmour, developed the property with well-known Toronto architect Richard Wengle and sold the home to Mr. Sundin after acting for the agent in the sale of his previous home nearby.

Mr. Walton has bought and sold houses for a host of current and former Leafs, including Ed Belfour, Alexander Mogilny, Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts and Mr. Gilmour.

He has lots of contacts in the NHL and, besides, he knows what it's like to move to a new team.

"I think I know what the guys are going through when they're coming into a new city and when they're leaving."

Mr. Walton said he often helps arriving players with finding furniture, audio-visual equipment and security systems.

The Sundin house is wired with a state-of-the-art security system.

The home, built on a 50- by 173-foot lot, offers a large swimming pool lined with black granite and is surrounded by a limestone terrace. Inside, there's a spa with steam room, a recreation room with a walk-out to the pool area and a wine cellar. The large custom-built kitchen includes an eight-burner gas range, an under-the-counter wine fridge and a centre island with marble top.

With a report from Tim Wharnsby