"The most endearing quality of Mats Sundin — his wide-eyed optimism — made him extraordinary popular with those he played with, and at times confounding to those who expected more of him.

It wasn't only that Sundin was acquired in a deal for the hugely popular Wendel Clark that made his 13 seasons in Toronto less endearing than they should have been, it's that often he was the opposite of what this city had come to admire.

Toronto wanted spectacular: Sundin was a straight line.

Toronto wanted explosive and emotional, the way Clark and Doug Gilmour could be: Sundin was large and calm and consistently great.

Toronto wanted someone to change the franchise.

Sundin, at least outwardly, always seemed satisfied with the status quo.

Time, as usual, brings with it perspective and the view of Sundin as one of the greatest Leafs ever, is the way it should be now, but rarely was during his time playing for the team.

He was never loved unconditionally the way Clark was, never admired the way Gilmour was, or before that Darryl Sittler or Borje Salming."