During Monday's news conference, Mats Sundin cast a wistful glance at former teammates Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, and Darcy Tucker seated in the front row. Those three were known for their toughness, complementing Sundin's skill when the games got rough. But now, as the newly appointed senior executive adviser for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sundin faces a different challenge: instilling a tougher DNA in a team that lacked it too often last season.
Sundin on Protecting Star Players
Naturally, Sundin faced questions about the Leafs' failure to respond when Anaheim's Radko Gudas kneed Auston Matthews during a March 12 home game. The resulting surgery ended the captain's season. Sundin emphasized the need for protection: "Your best player on the ice has to be protected. The team really showed that, maybe later on and afterwards." He recalled how Max Domi stalked Gudas in the rematch in Anaheim, mirroring how his father Tie once guarded Sundin. "It's important when you have a player of Auston's caliber, he has to protect himself, but the rest of the team has to step up, too. They responded, eventually."
The four players on the ice that night—William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and Easton Cowan—later expressed regret for their inaction.
Addressing Team Culture
When asked about changing the Leafs' dressing room culture, which critics say has favored star players like Matthews and Nylander, Sundin offered a measured response. "I haven't been in there, so it's an impossible question to answer now. All former players can agree that everyone talks about a good room, but don't really know until they're in one. Any team that's winning has a very strong locker room and a buy-in of a bigger mission."
Motivating William Nylander
With his Swedish connection, Sundin was also asked about motivating the sometimes laid-back Nylander. "I've known and played with his dad (Michael) a long time, met with William here and watched him since he was 15 developing in Sweden. All players, including William, with the way this season ended, are very committed. I know myself, eliminated that early, you get very motivated to train for next season. He's going to want to come back and have a very strong season."
