After a long and laborious offseason which saw no commitment whatsoever to where he was leaning towards playing, Mats Sundin has finally made his decision.
This time he's playing closer to the Pacific Ocean than the Atlantic Ocean.
Sundin was offered a two-year, $20 million deal which Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis originally had offered Sundin during the off-season. Now, Sundin is finally done deciding and can start playing.
Terms of the contract are to come, but it is for the remainder of this season.
After months of deliberating on whether to accept various offers, Sundin chose the Canucks over other contenders such as the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and many others.
Sundin wanted to play for a Stanley Cup contender. And what better team than the Canucks, who have solid defense and goaltending.
In 1,305 career NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques and Toronto Maple Leafs, Sundin has 555 goals and 1,321 assists. Not bad for the first overall pick in 1989 with Quebec.
Even with aging, Sundin has not diminished in stature. Last season in Toronto, Sundin notched 78 points (32 G, 36 A) in 74 games for the team he had captained since 1999. However, Sundin's reasoning for not returning were because of his apparent desire of a Stanley Cup ring.
Beforehand, Sundin was quoted as saying that he thought players should play the entire season from training camp to the bitter end of the season or playoffs with one team and not come in halfway through the campaign.
So much for those words.
Sundin joins a Canucks club that is struggling without their No. 1 star and captain Roberto Luongo. His entrance into this situation couldn't have been at a better time, as the Canucks are seeking leadership and scoring.
Consistent scoring.
Along with the Sedin twins and Pavol Demitra, Sundin adds a scoring punch that the Canucks have long needed since the departures of Markus Naslund, Brenden Morrison, and Todd Bertuzzi as the main point getters.
Sundin leaves behind the Leafs as the franchise leader in goals and points, playing 13 of his 17 seasons in Toronto and serving as the captain for almost 10 seasons.
8 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dlynn 6 months ago
Although you say the Canucks are "struggling" without Luongo, I think we've fared pretty well without our Captain. We've won 4 out of the last 6 games we've played, picked up a point in one of those losses and are tied for the top of the NW. Yes, we had a four game slide but, all in all, when we lost our number one star goaltender we still found ways to win. So to make it sound like the Canucks are down and out or desperate is wrong...this is what I call "the little team that could" and it's about time we got some respect around the league.
People don't give us credit where it's due...Mats is joining a team that is proving that it can win DESPITE adversity. And that makes it a very exciting time to be a Canucks' fan!
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Matt Eichel 6 months ago
The Canucks are one of the top teams in the West this season and they've proven it, now they're even more dangerous with Sundin. It's only going to get better as a 'Nucks fan Dlynn.
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Oscar Heyman 6 months ago
hmmm....Canucks rank 9th in the NHL in overall scoring. Yup, goal scoring is a huge problem. This isn't to say it doesn't need to be better, but it's far from being a desparate situation as implied here.
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Matt Eichel 6 months ago
The 'Nucks are doing well in the scoring department. But looking at teams in the past, they've had problems scoring, especially when injuries may hit or players get into slumps. But that's something all teams probably go through.
The Canucks have found ways to score in a balanced lineup. Just adding Sundin will help them reach maybe 4th or 3rd in NHL scoring. I apologize if I made it seem like the 'Nucks are struggling to score.
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Peter Tumbas 6 months ago
Thank you for not signing with the Rangers
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Derek Harmsworth 6 months ago
You know, you just don't know what happens behind the scenes, but am I the only one who feels Mats went for the money?
Sure, the Rangers couldn't clear cap space, not Mats fault. But if he truly did want a cup as bad as he says, wouldn't he take a pay cut for what I think is a better chance with NYR?
Also, Nick Kypreos said that Sundin wasn't happy with his last Leafs deal, since the pricetag was too low, and also said he gave the Rangers every opportunity to bump up their offer. When they couldn't he went for the cool $10 million.
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KP Wee 6 months ago
Mats Sundin suddenly thinks he is Roger Clemens by doing this 'sign-with-a-team' in the middle of the season (okay, it's not quite mid-season yet but you get my point). I think a rational fan would have to consider Detroit and San Jose among the elite in the Western Conference, so if Sundin really went to Vancouver because it gives him a better chance to win the Cup, then it's a mistake.
With the Rangers, he would have to deal with less travel and the East is wide open in terms of contenders, so it would have been a better fit. (And yes, I know Vancouver's 2 biggest road trips are out of the way now.)
So, we can assume it's all about money for Rocket - oops, I mean Mats - Sundin.
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Murv Fredricks 6 months ago
The "REAL" sloopy second is the former # 13 who openly stated "I'm NOT a rental player!" If you want to talk about the integrity of the game.......don't punish the guys who speak their minds, even if they lack class........go after the guys who lie, and play people like fools. Watch out Bettman, this guy will soon be coming after you to tell you that he is un-touchable by your court of clowns because he can choose when/where/how/why/ and for how much. You are the Commissioner and there is nothing you can do about it. He is laughing in your face!! One player has made your free agency, salary cap, trade clause and everything else you brought into the NHL a total joke, and he still has NOT put his skates on. Bettman you think that you are in control, yet one "NON" North American player makes all your new and improved proposals look like a bag of useless toys!! How does this look for the LITTLE guy who wants and needs job security when you in all your wisdom can allow this to happen?? G.M. Ford and Crysler lost their business to foreign markets and now you are giving Hockey away. Step down before you totally destroy our game and go back to the NBA, perhaps they can give you a job?? If Avery is smart he will sue you and we will finally get back to the game we loved
Murv
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