[Mysterio10]

Captain Mats Sundin wants to wear the Toronto Maple Leafs uniform for a 13th NHL season, if not more.

"I love being part of the organization, I love the challenge that is for this team to win a championship," Sundin said as he and his teammates cleaned out their lockers yesterday. "The challenge of the Toronto Maple Leafs not winning the Stanley Cup since 1967 is a huge positive thing in my opinion for motivation to come back and get better every year."

As the post-mortem on Toronto's 40th spring without silver began, the focus centred on Sundin's future. The 36-year-old Swede once again refuted nagging rumours that won't go away -- that he might just pack it in this year and call it a career.

"I don't know where that's coming from," said the star centre. "I love playing here.

"Toronto is my home. I haven't had any other thoughts."

His teammates sure hope that's the case.

"He's our leader," said defenceman Bryan McCabe. "We need him back.

"He belongs in a Maple Leaf uniform. Hopefully he'll retire in the blue and white."

Goalie Andrew Raycroft can't imagine where his team would be without their captain.

"He means absolutely everything to this team," said Raycroft.

Sundin needs a new deal. His current contract carries a US$4.56-million club option for next season but a $6.33-million cap charge -- because it's the average of a contract that counts against the salary cap -- so the Leafs would rather decline the option and word is GM John Ferguson would like to sign Sundin to a new two-year extension that's more cap-friendly.

Sundin could force the issue and try greener pastures, but it doesn't sound as if he wants to.

"That's always been my feeling all season long -- that I wanted to finish my career as a Maple Leaf," he said. "That's still the same."

Still, he won't deny that being out of the post-season for a second year in a row is hard to digest.

[Mr_Canada old]

Maybe, Says Leaf Nation

[twister]

"why would you" say leaf haters nation everywhere.. No mats.. No problems
maybe it wasn't Mats at all maybe it was Mats evil twin....

[Mr_Canada old]

Hehe, I love that pic...

Mats Sundin, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS NINJA OF DOOM!

Fear his speed!

[OPP]

Wouldn't be the same without him...

[Mysterio10]

OPP OPP:

Wouldn't be the same without him...

That is very true, in my opinion he was a great captain.

[OPP]

Mysterio10 Mysterio10:

OPP OPP:

Wouldn't be the same without him...

That is very true, in my opinion he was a great captain.

WAS!!!??? £$@£$${[€]{}\[]}{$£

[Mysterio10]

$1:

WAS!!!??? £$@£$${[€]{}\[]}{$£

WTF!

[OPP]

Mysterio10 Mysterio10:

$1:

WAS!!!??? £$@£$${[€]{}\[]}{$£

WTF!

[Mysterio10]

Ok I made a grammer mistake, big deal. "He is a great captain."

[Mr_Canada old]

Nice OPP.

But honestly, we will have to rest him soon...

And the Great Tucker will rise.....

You know what I find funny? That When people play in Toronto, they are compelled to end their career here, they don't want to be on any other team.

Something about the fans. They hate Raycroft and it's still wanting him to stay.

[Mysterio10]

No they come to T.O and then they start to suck BALLS. We will have to face it, Toronto will never WIN another Stanley Cup.

[Mr_Canada old]

Mysterio10 Mysterio10:

No they come to T.O and then they start to suck BALLS. We will have to face it, Toronto will never WIN another Stanley Cup.

You're a Leaf Fan?

Don't sound like it...

[Mysterio10]

I was along time ago.

[Mr_Canada old]

Mysterio10 Mysterio10:

I was along time ago.

:| Oh.

Now what are you?

Retired Leaf Fan?

Sen Fan?

Just a Hockey Fan?