It's amazing to me as the final days of Mats Sundin's tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs play out how he is being elevated into the status of a hockey legend by rabid Leaf fans and the compliant Toronto media.

Mats Sundin is a very good hockey player. He's gifted offensively, has been very durable over his career and has a strong record in international competition. He is a solid citizen, a good leader and an example for everybody to follow in these days of "me-first" athletes out to score their next big payday.

However, he is not a Hall of Famer as some fans insist. Nor is he a legendary figure that will live on in the hearts and minds of Leaf fans for years to come.

When I examine Sundin's entire career I think of this: efficient, but bland.

If in fact Sundin does leave the Leafs this summer - which seems likely, because it's unlikely the Leafs will give him another no-trade contract - he will leave behind a legacy that is remarkable for its lack of outstanding memories.

Sundin has never scored 50 goals in a season in his career. He recorded 100 points only once and that was way back with the Quebec Nordiques. Throughout his tenure he was a consistent point-a-game producer. In his NHL career he never carried a team on his back to a championship.

The teams he played for achieved no playoff success of any note. In his 17 years in the league his teams made the playoffs just nine times.

I have followed the Leafs day in and day out for Sundin's entire career. I cannot think of a single moment that will live on in my memory during his tenure as a Leaf. He didn't ever guarantee a win in a playoff game like Mark Messier and then score a hat trick in the third period to make it true. He didn't ever lead his team to a Stanley Cup victory playing on one leg like Steve Yzerman in 2002.

There is no signature goal like Doug Gilmour's spin around behind the net in triple overtime. There is no game like Wendel Clark in Los Angeles coming off the bench with the net empty to score his third goal sending the game to overtime - the last time the Leafs were a goal away from the finals.

The best chance the Leafs had to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals during Sundin's tenure came in 2002 when the team found itself in the final four playing a weaker (on paper) unit from Carolina.

That playoff season Sundin was injured for all but eight games and fans remember the brilliant leadership of Gary Roberts and the spectacular goaltending of Curtis Joseph (with a broken hand) as the key factors driving the team's run. Incredibly, Sundin returned for the Carolina series and the Leafs promptly fell apart. He scored a total of six (6!) goals the entire series and lost three games in overtime.

As this chapter in Leafs history comes to a close, it's a good idea to look back upon Sundin fondly for what he was: a quality player and outstanding citizen.