The Vancouver Canucks on Mats Sundin: One Man = One Big Difference

Many people have been wondering over the past month and a half about where Mats Sundin would choose to play.  Would he go to Montreal where they have the most “legitimate” chance of winning a cup? Would he stay in Toronto where he has a sense of comfort?  Or is he Vancouver bound where he will receive the most money?  Now maybe the 2 year / $20 million contract hasn’t enticed Sundin to come to Vancouver, but has anything else?  Possibly the fact that four regulars in the Canucks lineup are Swedes.  Or even the fact that coming to Vancouver for a minimum of two years would guarantee him captaincy of his native country in the city that he plays for during the 2010 Olympics.  Those are the many reasons that Mats is deliberating to come to Vancouver, but what were the reasons that prompted management to make such a bold offer?  Mats Sundin can be considered a dynamic player.  Still at age 37 he is able to play very well during both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game, while being able to be a point per game player.  Mike Gillis knew this when he put forth his offer.   Even though Mats’ dynamic abilities would work well with all thirty teams in the league, with the Canucks he could completely re-program their offense into a team that can score.  If you take a look at the Canucks forward depth chart at the current moment, it would look like: 

                                        Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Steve Bernier 

                                        Mason Raymond - Kyle Wellwood - Pavol Demtira 

                                       Alex Burrows - Ryan Kesler - Matt Pettinger 

                                      Taylor Pyatt - Ryan Johnson - Darcy Hordichuk                                                                                                                                      

As you can see all of the offensive responsibility will fall on the Sedin line as you won’t be able t count on that second line for scoring due to the fact that Pavol Demitra needs a skilled player to play with him.  Sure, you may be able to count on that third line for roughly 45-50 goals per year, but that is not enough offense. Now with Sundin in the picture, the offensive depth chart will change:

                              Mason Raymond / Kyle Wellwood - Mats Sundin - Pavol Demtira

                                                     Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Steve Bernier

                                                     Alex Burrows - Ryan Kesler - Matt Pettinger

                                                     Jason Krog - Ryan Johnson - Darcy Hordichuk

Now even though it looks like the lineup hasn’t changed very much with Sundin in, it truly has.  With him and Demitra on the first line, top defenders like Pronger, Lidstrom and Zubov will not be out against the Sedin’s and with a big right handed shot like Bernier they will be able to score goals. Sundin and Demitra will be able to work well together and not matter who their LW is, they will be able to gain scoring opportunities and goals.  So with the Sedin’s away from the top defenders as well as counting the 45-50 goals from the checking line, the offensive power of the Canucks would drastically change, turning them into a possible cup contender.  Mats Sundin: he’s one man who can make one big difference to the Vancouver Canucks.