Mats Sundin had interest in returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the feeling wasn't mutual.
New Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke said on Thursday, a few hours after the Vancouver Canucks announced that they had signed Sundin to a one-year contract, that he closed the door to any possible return to Toronto by the former Leafs captain.
Burke was asked in the first intermission of the Leafs 8-5 loss to the Boston Bruins, whether there was interest from Sundin in playing this season in Toronto.
"I would say from talking to Mats he has a soft spot for Toronto," Burke said. "We had lengthy conversations with him. Again, I don't think it was the right fit or right direction for us right now."
This philosophy was different from Burke's predecessor, interim general manager Cliff Fletcher. He offered Sundin a one-year $7-million (U.S.) no-trade contract in the summer and kept that pact on the table when the two met in Toronto on Sept. 5.
Toronto coach Ron Wilson was asked if he was disappointed that Sundin decided on the Canucks.
"We're not a fit for Mats right now," Wilson said. "We're not going to win a Stanley Cup right now. I don't know if Vancouver is either, to be perfectly honest.
"He's gone to a place that he feels comfortable with, playing with the Sedins [Daniel and Henrik]. They will be a pretty good team when they get their goalie [Roberto Luongo] back."
The Leafs players interviewed wished their former teammate well and they look forward to Feb. 21, when the Canucks visit Air Canada Centre.
This game will be a hot-ticket item. Sundin no doubt will be reminded about his statement at the trade deadline last Feb., when he refused to waive his no-trade clause.
"I have always believed I would finish my career as a Toronto Maple Leaf," Sundin said back then.
"I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey, but for me, in order to appreciate it you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June."
Burke hopes that the Sundin receives a warm reception when he returns to Toronto.
"I hope he gets a good reception," Burke said. "I know some people are disappointed with the way things ended for Mats Sundin. But he was a great player in Toronto, and I hope he gets treated that way.
"I would like to thank Mats Sundin for all the great things he did in a Toronto sweater. He was a warrior for us and did some great things. He's moving on as one of the great Leaf players and I wish him well in Vancouver."
