Sundin No-Trade Clause Still haunting The Toronto Maple Leafs

June 28th, 1994. Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher pulls off one of his better trades, sending Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and Toronto’s first round draft choice in 1994 to the now defunct Quebec Nordiques in return for Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner, Mats Sundin and Quebec’s first round draft choice in 1994. With the ultra-popular Wendel Clark heading to Quebec, a clear signal was sent to the fans and players that the Maple Leafs were headed in a new direction. Sundin made his debut with the Maple Leafs during the NHL’s shortened lockout season, posting 23 goals and 24 assists in 47 games. Sundin followed that season up with a 33 goal, 50 assist effort, a season that would end up being his second most productive in a Maple Leaf uniform. Sundin’s skill and quiet leadership eventually enabled the Leafs Nation to put the loss of Wendel Clark behind them. As such, Sundin became the 16th captain in Maple Leafs history during the 1996-97 season after Doug...