What Toronto Does Next With Sundin Really Matters

The Toronto Maple Leafs are buried in history. Scotiabank Arena has banners, numbers, and stories that old-timers still brag about. But way too often, that history just sort of sits there like museum pieces. If Mats Sundin is actually coming back, don’t make it a staged hug or a ceremonial photo-op.

Give him something real. He gave this city a chunk of his life; if he’s going to move back and plug into the organization, it should mean something both on the roster side and in the room.

The Red Wings, Avalanche & Senators Honour Their Players

Look at other teams. Steve Yzerman didn’t just stroll off into the Detroit Red Wings sunset; he came back and helped shape culture and rosters. Same with Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche and Daniel Alfredsson and the Ottawa Senators. Legends who stick around lend weight to decisions and set a tone players can feel.

That’s not just warm fuzzies; it’s practical. Young players notice when former greats are actually in the building, making calls, not just sitting in the owner’s box for selfie hour. It tells them this franchise cares about more than today’s points and contract numbers.

NHL Hockey Players Get Paid, But There Are Other Currencies

Culture and belonging are real currency in the NHL now. Players talk about fit and legacy more than they used to. If you’re Auston Matthews or a young winger trying to find your spot, seeing Sundin as more than a ceremonial figure says something.

There’s something powerful about feeling honoured by your team. You’re not just paid to play here—you’re appreciated. Then, you’re invited to be part of a lineage. That flips the script on Toronto being a stopover. It makes the organization feel like a place where your post-playing life matters too.

If Sundin comes, he should be given a job with teeth. “Honorary this” or “special that” won’t cut it. Think of something like hockey operations, a senior advisor with actual input on personnel and development, or a role that sits next to the decision-makers. Give him a title that comes with a voice at the table. If he’s involved in draft conversations, player development plans, or mentoring kids in the AHL, then you’ve converted memory into muscle.