Lapper said:
are the leafs looking to get rid of sundin because he won't resign as an ufa next year???
No - one is sure what Mats will do. It must be tough giving your all to a team with no supporting cast, knowing you have no chance at the Stanley Cup year after year. He may sign with the Leafs, or he may retire, play in Sweden where he is one of their favourite sons or if he did win the cup he might want to play with that team for another year.
If Toronto is obviously out of playoff contention by the deadline, and Detroit offers a good package, Sundin could finish the year off there, hopefully for his sake win the cup, and then decide what to do.
The Leafs might be improved by the trade, giving optimism that they might actually do something in the playoffs for 2008/2009, but if I were in his shoes at that point, I would take any of the other choices.
That being said, most people will never understand his loyalty to a team that has never provided him with good linemates or adequate team-mates to get the job done.
So until it happens or doesn't happen, it is all speculation, rumours and wishful thinking.