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The Clash. I always thought that it was an expression for a coming-together of opposing forces. I now find out that it is the name of some rock band that had a hit entitled Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Fans might think that song is probably running through the mind of Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin.
The Clash might also be the imminent meeting between Sundin's proponent and agent, J.P. Barry, and the salary cap-strapped general manager of the Leafs, John Ferguson, Jr.
But to hear Sundin talk, there will be no clash of the titans when it comes to his future. He sat across from me in a downtown restaurant the other day and told me with little emotion: "I've been in Canada for 16 years, four in Quebec City and 12 in Toronto. Coming to Toronto was the best thing I ever did. I think of the tradition associated with the Maple Leafs, the honour of playing in the NHL and the fact that you consider your work your hobby.
"I love the people of Toronto. They are great Leafs fans, but mostly they are decent people. There is nothing I would like more than to help the Leafs win the Stanley Cup after so many years."
If somebody else would have told me those things, I might have thought that it was a public relations gesture. But not the genuine and honourable Sundin, whom I have known for more than a dozen years. He speaks from his heart, but only to people he trusts.
There are critics of the big Swede. Some have been clamoring to trade, or give, Sundin away because they feel that, at 36, he is over the hill; that in the last 20 games of the season, he managed to score but one goal.
"That's right," he emphasized. "I scored one goal in those 20 games. But I set up a few goals (19, to be precise) which I consider contributing to the team effort. I also hit a few goal posts and crossbars.
"During my career, there were seasons when I went without scoring a goal in 13-14 games. It didn't mean that I was finished. I haven't been scoring well lately and I know that scoring is a big part of my game. But I did my best to help the team win. And (the scoring) will come.
"Actually, in the last two years, in my view, I played my best hockey of the past 16 years. I'm certainly playing as well for the Leafs as I played in the Olympics.
"There is no difference in my heart to play for Sweden or the Maple Leafs. It doesn't change your personal pride whether you are wearing a Maple Leaf or Tre Kronor (Sweden) jersey. In the end, I was very proud to be wearing the Olympic gold medal, but I would trade it in for a Maple Leaf Stanley Cup ring."
Was his lack of goal production this season perhaps the result of playing on a Helicopter Line -- no wings?
But he wouldn't criticize any of his teammates. He likes them too much. Nor would he say any unkind words about Ferguson, or the GM's predecessor, Pat Quinn. He shrugged his shoulders, as if to indicate that it wasn't his business to put a knock on anybody in the organization.
So, if things are good within the organization, why haven't the Leafs won a Stanley Cup in 40 years?
"I have no answer for that," he said. "It is a very small difference between finishing first in the standings and being left out of the playoffs.
"But I will tell you one thing," he said emphatically. "The Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup while I'm still with the team.
"The NHL is more competitive now than ever before. Because of that, we have just as much of a chance to win as any other team. And since there is such a small margin between the teams, it drives me and I am training harder than ever before in my life."
So, does this mean he plans to remain in Toronto, even though he might become a free agent, I asked?
"The longer you live in Toronto, the more you appreciate the Toronto fans," he replied. "You feel that the fans have been suffering for many years for not winning the Stanley Cup. You want to be part of them."
"But I can tell you one thing: I can't see myself playing in another NHL uniform."
Translated into Swedish, this could mean that if an agreement isn't reached to keep him with the Leafs, Sundin might go -- but maybe back to his homeland.
GROSSLY ABBREVIATED
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