The York Guardian

First of all, Sundin has a no-trade clause in his contract. So he ain't going anywhere unless he waives it, OK?

And last I checked he had just said for the umpteenth time that he wants to stay. Why not give him the benefit of the doubt? He's earned it. He's given his heart and soul to this franchise for 14 years. Why would he change his tune now, just because things look bleaker than ever? It doesn't ring true. It's not his style.

Second of all, even if he didn't have the no-trade stipulation, you don't trade players of the calibre of Mats Sundin. No way. You dream of getting classy superstars like that and you hope they play in your town forever.

Did the Detroit Red Wings unload Steve Yzerman as he neared the end of his career? Fat chance. Are the Colorado Avalanche shopping Joe Sakic as he winds down his playing days? Get serious. And make no mistake, Sundin is every bit as important as the above were/are to their teams. The only difference is that he has never been blessed with the same supporting cast.

Yzerman had Sergei Fedorov. Sakic had Peter Forsberg. Sundin has had a host of serviceable pros who are household names in only their own households, and still he managed to put up big numbers. He's scored more goals than the legendary Rocket Richard, he has the most overtime winners in the history of the league, he's closing in on the Top 30 in overall points.

Now the fans want to run him out of town for a couple of draft picks who may never amount to anything? Puhlease. As bad as this team may look now, without him, it could get ugly. Real ugly.

He's not a part of the problem, never has been. But he could have been, and still can be, a part of the solution with the proper pieces assembled around him.

If Sundin had played the last 14 years in Montreal where the scrutiny is 1,000 times as tough as it is in Toronto, he would have been as revered as the legendary Jean Beliveau (whom he has passed on the NHL's all-time points list, incidentally). But instead of being held in the same regard as Beliveau, he has been a perennial whipping boy.

His fate was sealed the day he showed up from the Quebec Nordiques in a multi-player trade 14 years ago that sent a fading Wendel Clark the other way.

How dare he be part of a trade for beloved Wendel, was the fans response.

And when he was named captain of the blue and white, a post he has held with dignity for 11 years, it was greeted with skepticism.

A player from Sweden? Heaven help us all.

To his credit, Sundin never let any of the nonsense that goes on in this so-called center of the hockey universe get to him. And it's not bothering him now. He's having one of his best years ever amid speculation of his imminent departure.

It's true that the Leafs need to get younger - and it better happen quickly.

Look around the league: the Pittsburgh Penguins have Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Wings have Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, the Washington Capitals have Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

If the Leafs are going to take on those teams over the next 10 years, they will need a great young tandem like those mentioned to keep pace.

But whether or not there is such a duo out there that the Leafs can get a hold won't be enough. They will also need a Mats Sundin-type to tutor them.

Luckily, they don't have to look far for such a mentor; they have the genuine article right now.