August 01, 2008

Another God Damn Post On Mats Sundin

Today is the day we were supposed to learn of Mats Sundin's decision regarding his future. Well, much to nobody's surprise, that ain't happening. But let's talk about Mats anyways.

Norte over at He Score, He Shoot! is officially bothered by the Sundin situation and the former Toronto captain's inability to come to a decision regarding if, and where, he will play next season. In Norte's words, "Give it to us straight Mats."

I think it's time to put on Mats Sundin's shoes, and look at the situation from his point of view. Remember, you're a professional ice hockey player, and 37 years old.

Sundin, as of July 1st, became a former Toronto Maple Leaf. He's a free agent, with no obligation of any kind to the Leafs or us, their loyal (and alcoholic) fans. Sundin has repeatedly maintained that he hasn't decided if he can put his body through the rigours of another NHL season. In my humble opinion, that is giving it to us straight. And we have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Why? Because he didn't take the $20 million Vancouver deal the moment it was offered to him. Because he's publicly said that the Vancouver deal is much more lucrative than any other offer he's received.

If Mats had taken the Canucks deal on July 1st or, hell, any time in July, he would have been a liar, a douchebag, and a hypocrite. But he didn't. Nothing has changed. He's maintained the same story from day one, and has stuck to it. He simply doesn't know if he wants to play next season.

If Mats does decide to prolong his career with another team, what's there to be bitter about? A draft pick or two? Come on. We're talking about the guy who gave us the best years of his hockey life. His youth. His prime. His everything. Life isn't simple. What really is forever anymore? There's a reason why half the people who get married on this side of the world end up getting divorced. I know Sundin started his career in Quebec, and he may yet put on another jersey, but he will always be remembered as a Toronto Maple Leaf. The best one, ever, actually. Not many athletes can say they spent their whole career, or even 14 years, with one franchise. Sundin doesn't deserve to have his legacy determined over any of this bullshit. Just remember what he did out on the ice.

Keep Sundin's shoes on. If you were him, you'd probably be doing exactly what he's doing right now. Some serious introspection, and keeping all your options open. The guy has got one or two years left of hockey in him, from which he can make $12-$14 million. He can set up another three or four generations of the Sundin family, for life. But he's got to want to do it. He's got to have the desire to do it. A hasty decision would be the wrong one, wouldn't you agree?

When it comes to Sundin, I tend to ramble. I love the guy. With all my heart. With the window closing on his career, and other opportunities facing him, I don't have it in me to be upset with him. I just want him to be happy. If he chooses to leave Toronto, I'll feel the sting, but I'll hold the door for him on his way out. It's the least I can do, after all he's done for me. If I've learned anything in my almost 26 years on this planet, it's that all good things must come to an end.

And, just for the record, Mats can fondle my frilly unmentionables whenever he likes.

21 comments:

wrap around curl said...

MS+NV=BFF4EVA!

No really. It's a sweet post. And it's true, he is being thoughtful. Can't hate a guy for thinking things through.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

Mats and I enjoy long walks on the beach, free concerts in the park, and cotton candy. We are both real men's men...

Bhattorious said...

I have heard Mats is not working out and he also cancelled a pick-up game that he does every year in Sweden....I think Retirement may be what he is thinking....I hope he is...i cant fatham the fact that he will be wearing a different Jersey.....


Remember that goal againgst Kipper.....Short-handed, hat-trick goal, in overtime....ahhhh the memories...

Bhattorious said...

oh yeah, and that same goal was his 500th of his career...

Anonymous said...

All this talk about "spending time" with Mats really got me thinking, what if Matts was your girl friend, she would be the biggest bitch around. Matts would be the girl that you know is way too hot for your loser ass. She is rich and sucessful hot as hell and every guy wishes they had your girl friend when you go out. She would do anything to please you and anything to make you look good infront of other people. But your loser ass is just too tragic no matter how hard she trys you just always end up sitting on that damn couch playing NHL08 all day long in you jammies, you have no motivations you have no goals, you have no drive in life all you do is bitch at how bad the world is treating you but you just aren't doing anything to change your situation. Ok at this point you are thinking to yourself wow Matts it's a great girlfriend, well he is or she is, what ever. But now here comes the hear break, after 13years together of her giving you eveyrthing "hockey and blow jobs and all that" he's got. All you have shown her is failure. She finally had enough and tell you that she need time, you are not broken up but just just needed time away. She tells you that there is still a chance that you would get back together, or she can go with some other guy,or there is even a change she might give up the game and become a lesbian. No you tell her you want her back and these are the thihgs you are willing to change for her, you are willing get get younger, you are willing to get faster, you are willing to get bigger, hell you are even willing to get more responisble, but she tell you she just doesn't know. Next thing you know you find out A really hot red headed guy has been calling her, so has a really rich guy from across town, and make matter worst the better looking successful guy across the street that you hate is also calling her. Lucky for you she tells them all she needs time. as time goes by the model looking readhead drops out cuz really he got himself one of those flashy eruopian chicks. it's down to the three of you, time after time she tells you that she will make the choice but she doesn't, final she tell you she will make a choice by aug 1st, just for you to find out that there are at lease 6 other guys in the mix, but you still have a change. Now you look down at your dirty ass closths you and fat belly, maybe she is just playing with your feeling this whole time. Will there be a happy ending? will true love over come everything? Will you get her back? Stay tune kiddies. WOW I really think i should go back to work

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

Bhattorious: i read that article in the star, interesting indeed. if he retires, he goes out as a leaf, and that's cool. but i would have liked to wish him a fond farewell, you know? he needs a farewell tour. and i'll never forget that game against calgary. he ripped that last one past kippra.

jared: i'm glad you agree. and it's gotta be the pink.

marvelous win: winse, that might be the best comment ever in the history of comments. i salute you

Bhattorious said...

Ya we should....but which ever way he goes out, i just want it to be as a leasf...and winse...i don't wanna read essays....

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

yeah, winse, essays are my schtick!

if only CIBC knew what winny was up to...

Anonymous said...

sorry next time i will put them into chapters like that girls story about Malkin... Maybe i should write a story like that about Matts. Chapter 1 me: so Matts what can we do to make you stay in Toronto? Matts whispers in my ear. Me: OH MY. Matts I don't do that. Stares into his blue eyes me: well for you Matts anything. Matts: OH!

Seriouly i have issues wow

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

dude that fan-fiction about Malks and Sidney was pretty fucked up. as soon as heather found it and posted about it, it was deleted a few hours later. but heather got the pdf. it's fucking gold.

and your Sundin story sounds dirty as hell, but i'm intrigued. gay fan-fiction, the final frontier.

Anonymous said...

Wait till you get to chapter 25. I will giev you a preview: me: OH Matts: OH me: OH Matts: OH me: OH Matts: OH me: OH Matts: OH me: OH Matts: OH, it goes on for about 6 pages

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

winse you're so naughty. and like cuba gooding told jerry mcguire: I DIG THAT ABOUT YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

For all you reading I just want to say I am not Gay… I just like coldplay… a lot. Not that there is anything wrong with it

wrap around curl said...

Marvelous, write it up and you can post it on my site.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

if marvelous ever did write gay fan-fic, it would be...really, really, gay. like, exceptionally gay.

not that there's anything wrong with that.

wrap around curl said...

Oh I hope it is too gay to function.

Anonymous said...

WAC, I don't think i can write this story i am pretty damn sure this would be the hotest HGFF ever (you like the new term Hockey Gay Fan Fic. BUT that is not a part of me i want to explore right now. I would hate to finish the story and say to myself you know what i feel like right now? A Large cock in and around my mouth... I don't think i can handle that... not that there is anything wrong with it. Then i would have to drown myself in booze and whores to forget that ever happened... and who would want that?

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

i think that's a SUPER WISE decision marvel...i don't think i want you exploring that part of you, either.

so, booze and whores, your place tonight?

wrap around curl said...

C'monnnnn. Posting on my site, that is prime real estate. Or so I tell people.

Anonymous said...

Honestly WAC there is no way i am going to dabble in homo erotica, even if it was about hockey. You know have many straight days of having sex with beautiful woman am going to have to have to forget what i wrote? But i must confess that it would be funny as hell to include line like: " My Matts you do have some soft hand around the net" or "Way to power forward Matts" or "you do have some great stick handling skills?" or the ever popular "he shoots, he scores". You know now that i look at it hockey is a pretty gay sport. On that lovely note i think i will go look at some naked woman to forget about the last paragraph.

Anonymous said...

i couldnt aggree more with everything you said. very well put