Mats Sundin believes it's a treat for Maple Leafs to have Auston Matthews: 'He's an even better person'

""I think it's important when there's history being made and records being broken," Sundin said. "Being a Maple Leaf, it's so special for me. And I think I can relate to where Auston Matthews is, in his career at this point. It's kind of exciting to get it over with it, because he has more important things to think about: winning games, winning hockey games for the Leafs. But it was important, and I felt that I wanted to be here.""

""I thought it was going to take a few more years!" Sundin exclaimed, when asked when he had a premonition about Matthews breaking his record. "He's a great goal-scorer. Kidding aside, records are made to be broken. What a treat for the Toronto Maple Leafs fan base to have a superstar like Auston, one of the game's absolute premier players. And he's an even better person. Great leader, the way he handles the hardest hockey market in Toronto.""

""For me, the direction of the Toronto Maple Leafs is very special. The players don't understand what it means to wear the Blue and White. It's great. It's the hockey capital of the world. A lot of people care about the team, but at the same time, it is a lot of added pressure. There is a lot more dealing with the media, and the fan base. It's a little bit""

Toronto honoured Auston Matthews with a pre-game ceremony and Mats Sundin met Matthews at centre ice. Sundin met reporters during the first intermission to celebrate Matthews' accomplishment and answer questions about the team's history and leadership. Sundin said history being made and records being broken are important and that he can relate to Matthews' career stage. Sundin suggested Matthews should focus on winning games. Sundin attended training camp by invitation, keeps in touch through Max Domi, and praised Matthews' handling of the 24-7 news cycle. Sundin described Matthews as a superstar, great goal-scorer, and strong leader amid heavy pressure.

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