Toronto center Mats Sundin stays put

TORONTO, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Despite some Maple Leafs fans' call for his departure, Toronto center Mats Sundin was not among the players traded before the NHL's trading deadline.

Toronto's 6-foot-5 captain, playing his 17th season in the National Hockey League, had been expected to be among the 45 players and 25 teams involved in trading deadline deals Tuesday.

The eight-time all-star, who signed a one-year contract extension with a no-trade clause last June, had expressed a desire to finish his NHL career in Toronto. That deal also gave Toronto salary-cap space for signing younger stars or future prospects.

"We are extremely proud to have Mats continue as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs," John Ferguson, Toronto's vice president and general manager, had said at the time.

After radio talk shows, fans and numerous media outlets suggested that Toronto trade Sundin, Ferguson asked him to waive the no-trade clause.

Sundin has played in the most games (901) in franchise history, is second in team history in goals and points, and third in assists.