Mats Sundin is the one person who understands what it takes to lead the Maple Leafs and they need him now

The greatest Maple Leaf in the modern era, Mats Sundin is an unquestionable legend when it comes to pro hockey but especially when it comes to the blue and white. While long retired, he's still appearing for the team at events and recently presented Auston Matthews with an award after breaking his goal-scoring record.

With the team needing a serious injection of life back in the system, they should take all the data-driven speak and push it to the side for a moment.

This is about bringing honour back to the crest, and Sundin is the perfect one to do it.

Who better to help lead the charge alongside a new President of Hockey Operations? He knows the pressure of what it takes to play in Toronto, is arguably more successful than Auston Matthews even if he never won a Cup, isn't afraid of the media, and come on...it's Mats Sundin — the entire city loves him.

Detroit already set the blueprint by bringing in a former legend to help run things as Nicklas Lidstrom (someone very close to Sundin) has been VP of Hockey Operations for the last five years.

There's a precedent to bring in a former legend to give input, and the Red Wings are doing pretty alright last time I checked. They've also drafted some fantastic names like Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard; notice a theme? Top Swedes, much like Lidstrom was.

You need those data-driven results for sure, but you also need that warmth and culture Sundin brings.

He wants what's best for the team; always has. Plus he can soften a lot of blows with his gentle and calm nature, and while fans are tired of the flowery language, it's not what was said but who said it.

This is exactly what Peter DeBoer was talking about when he mentioned that there needs to be yin and yang within an organization. While he related it to analytics, the same can be said for the front office staff.

Why not bring in Sundin? You retired his number, he's a Hall of Famer, brought you the most recent playoff success, still holds several franchise records, is beloved by literally everyone; you'd be insane not to at least offer a consulting role.

Detroit has the following players working in their front office:

- Steve Yzerman
- Kris Draper
- Niklas Kronwall
- Daniel Cleary
- Kirk Maltby
- Jiri Fischer

That's pretty much a collective of two separate dynasties, and guys who have won it all, especially names like Draper and Yzerman.

For contrast Toronto has:

- Curtis McElhinney

Sure, the Maple Leafs have former NHL players as part of the staff but a lot of them are coaches, not ones who run the day to day operations. McElhinney is the Director of Goaltending; that's it.

There's no prestige or franchise culture at all within the front office and there are people who care if the team wins because they keep their jobs — not because it means something to win for pride.

It's why Sundin would be such a crucial part of the front office team. He loves the team, the city and their loyal fanbase. If anyone can bring them together in times of trouble, it's him.

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