Heeeerrrrre's Mats!

VANCOUVER -- Mats Sundin has yet to touch down at the Vancouver International Airport, but the local hockey populace is already consumed by where he’ll land on the Vancouver Canucks’ roster once he starts applying his considerable frame and well-rounded game after arriving in town on Saturday.

Trying to project the exact date of Sundin’s debut has the talk-show phones lines lighting up like a Christmas tree for good reason.

As much as the durable Swede is a point-producing machine with 1,321 points in 1,305 career regular-season games -- and he should mesh seamlessly into a dressing room that houses four of his countrymen -- his on-ice transformation may take longer.

Or, it may not.

Sundin hasn’t played in nine months, only recently committing to the remainder of this season, and the 37-year-old even pondered retirement before agreeing to a pro-rated, one-year contract for $5.625 million US.

Once Sundin gets over the jet-lag, gets familiar with the system and gets to know his new linemates, the guessing game will commence.

Is it better to start Sundin off slow and work him into the lineup in a fourth-line role?

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Sundin a Canuck!!

After six long months, the Mats Sundin saga is finally over as the unrestricted free agent has agreed to a contract with the Vancouver Canucks.

"I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks," said Sundin in a team statement. "Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver opportunity was simply the best overall fit. I want to thank Mike Gillis and the entire Canucks organization for their professionalism throughout this entire process."

The signing ended months of rumours and speculation around the coveted centre, who was undecided on whether or not he would return to the National Hockey League for an 18th season.

"We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks," said general manager Mike Gillis. "Playing previously in two Canadian markets and consistently being among team and League leaders in scoring, Mats has proven that he can excel under pressure. He adds a wealth of experience, leadership and skill to the Canucks."

The Montreal Canadiens were given exclusive rights to talk to Sundin this past summer in the week leading up to the free agent signing period. The club's negotiating window passed without an agreement and as many as six NHL teams lined up to acquire his services.

Among the teams interested over the last six months were the Canadiens, Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers.

The Canucks had the most lucrative offer for Sundin, with a two-year, $20 million contract that was never pulled off on the table.

Sundin, 37, finished with 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in 74 games last season with the Leafs, leading Toronto in scoring for the fourth straight year.

Decision time for Mats

From Bob Mac

Unless someone pulls a rabbit out of the hat at the last minute, Mats Sundin will be, by the end of this week, either a Vancouver Canuck or a New York Ranger.

Sundin met with Rangers' GM Glen Sather on the weekend, but sources say the Rangers have yet to formally indicate exactly how much they are prepared, or able (because of the salary cap), to pay Sundin. Once Sundin's agent J.P. Barry gets that information, perhaps in the next 24 to 48 hours, Sundin is expected to make a final decision on where he will play.

Barry has a previously-scheduled meeting with Vancouver GM Mike Gillis on Tuesday, primarily to discuss contract negotiations for Canuck players Daniel and Henrik Sedin as well as Mattias Ohlund, but Sundin is also likely to be discussed at that time.

Sources say the plan is for Sundin to make a final decision before NHL rosters are frozen on Friday (Dec. 19).

It does not appear that any of the other teams that had expressed interest – Chicago, Philadelphia, Montreal and Tampa Bay, amongst others – are either in a position to move forward or have a strong desire to pursue Sundin any further.

So it looks as though it's coming down to the Rangers and the Canucks. The Canucks have no salary cap issues and have already offered Sundin a contract at an annual salary of $10 million. Once Sundin finds out how much less than that he would get in New York -- and it may be significantly less if the Rangers are even able to clear salary cap room for him -– he'll be in a position to compare it to the Vancouver offer and make a long-awaited decision.

In the meantime, Sundin is heading home to Sweden. He has completed his training in North America and plans to keep skating while in Sweden, spending Christmas there before joining his new NHL team immediately after that.

Or at least that is the plan.

Seen Sundin?

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

October 23, 2008 at 2:00 AM EDT

TORONTO — Mats Sundin has taken the first step toward a return to the NHL.

The 37-year-old free-agent centre underwent a physical exam at a Toronto hospital yesterday — necessary to begin a rigorous period of training to continue his hockey career.

Sundin, who spent the past 13 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, returned to the city last week and soon is expected to travel to Los Angeles to begin a two-week on-ice training stint.

It is believed that after those two weeks are up, he will begin talking to NHL teams to determine the best fit for him.

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Sundin-O-Rama

The pool of teams hoping to sign free agent Mats Sundin appears to have gotten a little more crowded.

According to the Globe and Mail, the Tampa Bay Lightning have expressed interest in the Swedish forward. Sundin was recently in Toronto to play in the Right to Play charity game and skated alongside former teammate, and current Lightning, Gary Roberts and new Tampa Bay owner Oren Koules.

Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, did confirm to the newspaper that two new teams have joined the pursuit of the veteran. Tampa is already close to the NHL's $56.7 million salary cap and would have to create room for Sundin's salary. However, the Lightning might receive some cap reprieve if forward Jeff Halpern is unable to play this season due to a knee injury.

On Friday, Sundin met with Maple Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher and assistant to the GM Joe Nieuwendyk.

Sources say Fletcher outlined his plan for the team this season and assured Sundin that Toronto will keep the door open for the 37-year-old captain in the event he decides to resume his career.

"It was a very relaxed meeting," said Barry on AM640 Radio in Toronto. "It was a chance to reconnect since Mats was in town and talk about the changes on the Maple Leafs and make sure Mats was aware of everything that was going on with the team."

On Saturday, Sundin met with Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey.

"I had a nice two hours with Mats Sundin in Toronto [on Saturday]," Gainey told the Globe.

"He's interested. I told him to make a decision. I said: 'If you feel like you want to retire, then retire. But if you're not sure, you should play and the emotion will come.'"

While Gainey has said he would be willing to wait on Sundin's decision in the past, Barry suggested that Montreal is hoping to hear from Sundin, either way, soon.

"Gainey simply laid out in detail an excellent case for why Mats should play in Montreal," Barry added. "He also explained that they likely don't have the same latitude to wait too long and would like an answer quite soon, as they have other plans and options in the works."

Life without the Big 4

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

Mats Sundin may be getting all the ink, but he is not the only established, prominent NHL player unsure of his plans for the coming season.

Without nearly the same interest or fanfare, three of his contemporaries — Joe Sakic, Teemu Selanne and Brendan Shanahan — are all facing a similar predicament.

Call them the 4-S club, a quartet of future Hall of Famers pondering what a life without hockey might be like and not sure whether the time is right to walk away.

How dramatic would their departures be? Consider that with Jaromir Jagr shuffling off to Russia, that group represents four of the NHL's top six active-points leaders. All, except Sundin, have won the Stanley Cup. All are still capable of making a difference on a team, either tangibly on the ice or through their influence as leaders in the dressing room.

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Mats a Canuck? (translated from Swedish Daily)

"Vancouver is called"

Mats Sundin, 37, has decided. According to Dagens Nyheter, the Swedish star to continue playing in the NHL and then it will be Vancouver.

-- I talked to Vancouver last yesterday (Friday), but that he would be ready is more than I know, if so, "says the agent Claes Elefalk to DN.

Several clubs have shown great interest in Mats Sundin has always said that he has not made up its mind about their careers even to continue. However, according to a source of DN, he has now decided to become the NHL and Vancouver next season.

-- His agent in North America declined by KHL on the grounds that he is fully ready for Vancouver. The fact that he has written on, why would he say if otherwise. He may, of course, a large sum of money in the event of a overgång here, "said the source.
The agent denied

The agent Claes Elefalk confirms the DN that Sundin has talked with Vancouver, but deny that something would be done.

-- I did not even know he had taken the decision to continue playing hockey, he continues.

How hot is Vancouver?

-- They are extremely hot. They want him.

Quoted

“Up until 24 hours ago I thought the chances of Sundin signing here were slim and none, but since then I have heard from 2 different people that I know and trust a great deal who say it is a distinct possibility.”

John Shorthouse- Canucks play by play announcer

This Just IN!!

From a reputable source on HF and Dobbers hockey....

"Sundin is signing here, 100%. I have a somewhat of an inside source with the Canucks, and the deal is all but worked out. Great, great news!

No idea if it is one or two years."

Ohlund hoping to welcome Mats

Elliot Pap

Meanwhile, Canuck defenceman Mattias Ohlund said he is ready to pump up Vancouver should Sundin require any additional information on the team or city. Ohlund is now the longest serving Canuck with Trevor Linden and Naslund both gone.

"If Mats calls, trust me I will put in a good word for the team," Ohlund chuckled Monday from his summer home in northern Sweden. "I haven't spoken to him or the Canucks or anybody regarding him. Maybe I should call him. I don't know if it would help or not. I guess it couldn't hurt."

Ohlund and Sundin are hardly strangers. They have played together internationally numerous times, most recently on Sweden's gold-medal winning 2006 Olympic team.

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Worth the Wait

Canucks' confident in Sundin offer

The Canucks are willing to wait for Mats Sundin and appear confident in their two-year offer for the veteran Swede, reports the Vancouver Province. "I want to give him a little time to get his head around playing here and the team that we have," Canucks GM Mike Gillis told the paper. The Canucks offered Sundin a two-year, $20 million contract, but Gillis is willing to reduce the term to one-year if that's what Sundin would prefer. Sundin issued a statement Wednesday thanking all the teams that have shown their interest, but indicated that he'll need more time before he makes his decision.

"A lot of things that are going on that are not in the public domain I'm not going to speak about concerning Mats," Gillis said. "The only public statement he made, it's easy to take it a certain way. We're confident we made a significant offer to a real top-notch player. "We felt he's the best free agent out there in this crop and we still feel that way. We're prepared to maintain our position to get this done." Meanwhile, the Canucks are scouring the trade market and are looking to make a few more changes. "It [trade] is always open for us," said Gillis. "We've talked to a number of teams about a number of possibilities and that's the way these things go. It takes time."

20 Million Reasons to come to the West

TSN

The threat of retirement is not standing in the way of NHL teams taking a hard run at free agent forward Mats Sundin.

Sources tell TSN as many as four teams have tabled offers for the 37 year old, including the Vancouver Canucks, who have offered a whopping $10 million per year on a two-year contract.

Sources tell TSN the Canucks offer includes a $5 million signing bonus, plus $5 million to play in 2008-09. There would be $5 million due on July 1, 2009 and another $5 million to play in 2009-2010.

Sundin is said to be flattered by the offer, however he continues to absorb interest from a number of teams and hasn't yet decided as to whether he will play or not next season.

Sundin scored 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in 74 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season. It was his best offensive season since 2001-2002 when he notched 80 points.

Sundin, who has 1321 points in 1305 career NHL games, has been with the Maple Leafs since 1994.

Will Sundin leave the Big Smoke?

PITTSBURGH — Will Mats Sundin commit the ultimate act of betrayal in the eyes of Toronto Maple Leafs fans and bolt as a free agent this summer, possibly to the Montreal Canadiens?

Sundin, who was at the Stanley Cup final yesterday to receive the NHL's Mark Messier Leadership Award, did not have an answer to that. What he did say offered no comfort to Leafs fans and management, who are waiting for a decision by the team captain about his plans for next season.

Given that Sundin refused to waive his no-trade clause at the NHL trade deadline in February, saying he wanted to end his hockey career as a Leaf, there is really just one decision for him: sign with the Maple Leafs again or retire.

However, word in hockey circles is the Canadiens, who made a big offer to Toronto interim general manager Cliff Fletcher in February, plan to go after Sundin hard when he becomes a free agent on July 1, as do the Detroit Red Wings.

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