Mats Sundin Burns the Leafs

Way to spoil the Trade Deadline party, baldy: Mats Sundin has decided not to waive his no-trade clause and will remain in Toronto for the rest of the season. TSN reports that Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry came to the decision on Sunday, and in a statement Sundin appeared a tad insulted that Toronto interim GM Cliff Fletcher and the Leafs had asked him to waive it in the first place:

"I have carefully considered the team's request that I waive my no-trade clause," Sundin said in a statement. "I have always believed I would finish my career as a Toronto Maple Leaf so the actual request was still a very difficult one for me to contemplate."

[...]

"I cannot leave my teammates and join another NHL Club at this time. I have never believed in the concept of a rental player. It is my belief that winning the Stanley Cup is the greatest thing you can achieve in hockey but for me, in order to appreciate it you have to have been part of the entire journey and that means October through June. I hope everyone will understand and respect my decision."

Sundin is a pending unrestricted free agent, and Fletcher told the Canadian Press that the forward is "not interested in entering into a deal for next year" at this time. Should the Leafs even welcome him back? Sundin has placed his own personal comfort ahead of self-sacrifice for the franchise he so dearly adores. The asking price was only going to rise as Tuesday's deadline grew near; there's no telling what improvements to next year's Leafs their captain just pissed away because of his nihilism toward the "concept of a rental player." Ice Junkies believes this decision is the epitome of class; I couldn't disagree more.