Over the years, numerous Toronto Maple Leafs players have transitioned to the Detroit Red Wings, creating a notable history between the two teams. Hall of Famers like Frank Mahovlich, Borje Salming, and Charlie Conacher traded the Maple Leaf for the winged wheel, while others like Jamie Macoun, Bob Rouse, and Dmitri Mironov achieved Stanley Cup glory in Detroit after leaving Toronto.
One of the most significant players in Maple Leafs history, Mats Sundin, once considered making a similar switch but ultimately decided against it. In a poignant moment for Swedish hockey, Sundin, alongside Peter Forsberg and Nicklas Lidstrom, secured Olympic Gold with a game-winning goal, showcasing the incredible talent of Sweden’s golden generation.
In February 2008, with Sundin being the only Swede to score 500 NHL goals and nearing the end of his tenure with a rebuilding Maple Leafs team, there were expectations that he might be asked to waive his no-movement clause as the NHL trade deadline approached. During a game in Detroit, legendary Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom approached Sundin to discuss the possibility of him joining the Wings, expressing his desire to see Sundin on his team. This moment is detailed in Sundin’s new autobiography, *My Story*.
Lidstrom, who had won three Stanley Cups and never missed the playoffs during his time in Detroit, recognized Sundin’s potential contributions to the team. Sundin recalls, “At the beginning of February, when we were going to play against the Detroit Red Wings in Toronto, my friend Nicklas Lidstrom, who was now the Wings’ team captain, said that he would like to see me traded to his team. It was something that Nicklas and I also talked about privately.”
However, despite Lidstrom’s persuasive plea, Sundin’s loyalty to the Maple Leafs fanbase ultimately influenced his decision. He couldn’t bring himself to join the Red Wings, a rival team, and win a Stanley Cup at the expense of Toronto’s long-suffering supporters. “You know what, Lidas? I don’t want to win the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings. I wanted to win with the Toronto Maple Leafs,” he told Lidstrom.
Ironically, the Red Wings did go on to win the Stanley Cup that spring, while Sundin left the Maple Leafs after the 2007-08 season to join the Vancouver Canucks for his final NHL campaign. Throughout his 18-year career, Sundin, who was the first overall pick in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, never had the chance to lift the Stanley Cup or even play in a final series.
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