Beloved Leafs Legend May Reunite With the Team in a New Role

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James Connelly
November 19, 2023 (9:10)

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Leafs legend Mats Sundin has been away from the hockey scene for a few years now but could be making a return to the NHL in Toronto.

Sundin Could Return To Toronto With Special Role

Mats Sundin has a case for being the greatest Toronto Maple Leaf of all time. He leads the team in all-time goals with 420 and points with 987.

He also captained the team for 10 of his 13 seasons with the team.

Since Sundin left the Leafs in 2007, he has played in only one more NHL season in Vancouver and has been a consultant to Team Sweden for the World Championships in 2012-2013 and the World Cup in 2016-2017.

Other than that, he has generally been away from hockey.

The Global Series is currently going on in Sweden and it seems as if the Leafs are getting close to bringing Sundin back in a special role.

Sundin had a dinner with Brendan Shanahan, Brad Treliving, Sheldon Keefe, and some Leafs players including William Nylander. Keefe said the following on Sundin:

"He's a proud Maple Leaf, first of all. You can see that. But also, he just loves the game, and I think he just enjoys being around everyone and telling the stories," - Sheldon Keefe

Other NHL Legends Have Paved A Path For Sundin

There are many NHL legends who have been a part of their longtime teams' staff in many different roles but one of the most common ones is as a special advisor.

The Ottawa Senators recently hired Daniel Alfredsson and the Vancouver Canucks have the Sedin twins who have operated as "Special Asst. to GM" and as developmental coaches.

The Maple Leafs themselves employ many former NHL stars like Jake Muzzin, Shane Doan, and Jason Spezza. With each of them and more being around the team, it creates a positive culture that every player buys into.

With the Leafs' dinner with Sundin going so well, there could be a potential return to Toronto for Sundin which could come in any capacity. If he wants to stay closer to home, he could operate as a regional scout for the Leafs in Sweden.

He could also become an assistant to GM Brad Treliving and from there establish himself once again within the Leafs organization.

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily:
Leafs legend may take on a larger role with the team in the near future