How Mats Sundin Got Involved With Announcing the Maple Leafs' Lineup in Their Room on Friday in Sweden

"We just thought it was a good idea for him to have that moment," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "It was a fitting thing a very obvious thing to do."

Sundin met with Maple Leafs staff for dinner the night before in Stockholm and that's when the idea was discussed. The Hall-of-Famer is one of many who have a connection to the current group of Maple Leafs. There is of course, Max Domi, the son of Tie. Sundin played more NHL games with Tie as a teammate than any other player in his NHL career and Max has referred to Mats as "like an uncle" to him.

Players were completely surprised by Sundin's entrance into the room, except for maybe Max who admitted he saw the Hall-of-Famer before the game.

'I definitely wasn't part of it, that's for sure," Domi insisted. "He said, who knows who might be starting, we'll see."

Domi was one of several players and Swedes who were inserted into the starting lineup for Sundin to announce.

Outside of the usual suspects like Swedes William Nylander, Calle Jarnkrok and William Lagesson, Sundin's presence was felt by others who grew up watching Sundin.

And in one particular case those who were old enough to play against him.

Mark Giordano was a rookie in the NHL when the played against Mats Sundin on Oct. 14, 2006.

Giordano, a Toronto native, scored his first two NHL goals in front of friends and family at then-Air Canada Centre. 

"I had a good night that night but he showed me up pretty good," Giordano said of Sundin.

The Leafs went on to win the game 5-4 after Sundin recorded a shorthanded overtime winner to score the 500th goal of his NHL career.

 With Sundin being overseas, you don't see the legendary player involved with the Maple Leafs as much as other alumni. Sundin was in Toronto last year during Hall of Fame weekend as part of festivities to honor the life of Borje Salming. 

But perhaps this week in Sweden could be a push to have Sundin, a player who had a massive impact on the Maple Leafs, be more involved with the club.

"What he means to our team and to Toronto is pretty special," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. "To have him around has been very cool."

The Maple Leafs are in Stockholm, Sweden as one of four NHL teams taking part in the 2023 NHL Global Series. Toronto wraps up their stay on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild.