Sundin's brief tenure

This clip kind of describes Sundin's brief tenure with the Canucks so far....
Or maybe it describes the Canucks when they went into overtime last night...


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What was the last time you read a New York hockey journalist write this about Vancouver:

From Larry Brooks at the NY Post:

Sundin has had a standing two-year, $20 million offer on the table from Vancouver since early this summer. In this case, Vancouver GM Mike Gillis has been to Sundin what Yankees New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman was to CC Sabathia: a patient suitor with far and away the most cash to spend on a free agent operating on his own timetable.

The Rangers' GM, Sather, on the other hand, has a comparatively small amount of money available under the NHL salary cap that he could offer Sundin, who, The Post was told by multiple sources this summer, has a craving to play on Broadway.

Bwahahaha!
I love life in the salary cap NHL world! Suck it, Rangers!

That being said, here is some more Sundin info for you....because deep down you really want to know!

Henrik Lundqvist tried to sell the Rangers to Sundin last summer. From Hockeyexpressen: - I talked to Mats home in Sweden last summer and tried to sell the New York Rangers and says' Henke '.

What was your best argument that he should choose Rangers?
I pointed out two things, and trips that are easy to handle if you play here in New York. You do not need to be away from home so long periods. We are very close to many away games.
Then, I drew attention to that one can live very anonymously in Manhattan, which I think speaks to the Mats after all the years in hockey-mad Toronto.

What can speak against Sundin choose Rangers?
- We may not have as much money to spend under the salary cap, as part of the other interested clubs. Otherwise, I can not see any disadvantages at the moment.

You can see the link next that article to where Sundin says he will play after Christmas.

T Tags: Canucks+have+bling+money Lundqvist+sells+Rangers+to+Sundin Sundin+to+play+after+Christmas

Mike Gillis press conference today indicates he's not done yet

Canucks.com has 2 video segments from today's Mike Gillis press conference.
-Video 1 is more about the Demitra signing and some Sundin questions answered.
-Video 2 is about Rob Davison and what he brings plus a minor look into what Gillis has in store for the rest of the summer.

The press conference should make Canuck fans feel a bit more positive because:

- Gillis has seen and worked with Demitra for a long time and he is confident in his ability to play all 3 forward positions. Yes, Demitra is versatile.

- Gillis was not comfortable with the length of the contracts being offered up at July 1 and beyond and he didn't want to offer those players those long contracts because he wants to be able to secure the Canucks' core down the road. I suppose that's a fair statement.

- Gillis is still in contact with Sundin's agent on a consistent basis. He is trying to make the Canucks more competitive to sway Sundin's decision to play in Vancouver.

- Demitra's kid likes mountains.

- Gillis believes that the Canucks are a more competitive team this year with all of the additions he has made. I guess if you think about it, Demitra replaces Naslund and could surpass Naslund's point totals from last year this coming season, especially if he stays healthy. Tack on the additions of Wellwood (to replace Morrison- again, Wellwood will need to remain healthy) and Steve Bernier and I guess we aren't in terrible shape. There's just a lot of question marks with those players that will be answered in the coming season.

- Gillis made it clear that he is only going to bring in players who have character and integrity.

- Gillis stated that he is currently telling Sundin and his agent that he is trying to get players that will complement "him". Once again, the sell factor for Sundin. Signing Demitra is an example of that, which Gillis stated.

- Notice what Gillis said when asked about whether or not Rob Davison was going to be the 7th or 8th defenceman? He said: "That depends on what happens in the next little bit." On paper, the Canucks currently have their top 6 set in stone. But just prior to that question, Gillis said that he will be exploring trade options later in the summer. You can read into Gillis' answer what you wish, but I think a defenceman may be traded in the next while for another forward, be that whether Sundin signs or not.
So, it's easy to hack Gillis right now as we wait for him to make "the big move", but at least he is standing in front of us giving what I believe to be honest answers with what he is trying to do this summer.
I admit that I just have to be more patient and at the same time trust Gillis. Hard to do isn't it?

T Tags: Mike+Gillis+press+conference July+10 Demitra+signing Canucks Sundin

Where's Mats?

T Tags: Mats+Sundin+in+Vancouver Photoshop tourist

Is Mats Sundin in Vancouver?

Jeeziz. That is the talk of the day for most Canucks fans who are surfing like mad to find any Sundin news today.
Howard Berger from Eklund's site started this apparently on Fan 590 radio over the past couple of days. I am not quite believing this rumor. If the Vancouver media knew about Demitra hanging in BC a while ago, you'd have to think they or someone would have seen Sundin by now. It's not that big of a city. There's only so many places you can hide, Mats! OK, I'm kidding.
I'm also not getting wound up or excited about this rumor either. Until Sundin makes his decision, this kind of nonsensical babble will go on and on.
However, if Berger is correct, I'll eat crow.
Alanah from Canucks and Beyond put her 2 cents in on the matter earlier as well.

T Tags: Mats+Sundin+in+Vancouver rumor

Ohlund could "sell Canucks" to Sundin

It doesn't hurt to have a few Swedes on your team that are summering in Mats Sundin country. Mattias Ohlund jokingly said this yesterday:

"If Mats calls, trust me I will put in a good word for the team," Ohlund chuckled Monday. "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."

No, it wouldn't hurt, Mattias. Now go get him drunk and force him to make promises!

More on this from Elliot Pap at the Vancouver Sun and more Sundin news from Spector.
It appears the people are saying the Canadiens have the best chance at signing Sundin because they are more of a contender. I say "piss off". If Sundin plays here, we have an excellent chance. At least we have a better defence core and a world class goalie. I wouldn't sell the farm on Carey Price yet. He could fold like a cheap suit still as he is young.

T Tags: Mattias+Ohlund Mats Sundin Canucks Canadiens

Sundin closing in on Sittler

A hat trick for Mats Sundin tonight against Boston will tie him with Darryl Sittler for the Leafs' goal scoring record. Sittler played in 844 Leaf games to accomplish that, which is 40-fewer games than Mats has currently played as a Leaf.
Ironically, it was Sittler who advised former Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher to trade for Sundin back in 1994. The deal went down on June 28th. Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and Philadelphia's first-round pick in the 1994 entry draft were acquired by Fletcher from the Quebec Nordiques for Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and Toronto's first-rounder in 1994.
Sittler won't be too upset when Sundin surpasses him.

"When he passes me -- and he will -- it's fine with me," Sittler said. "It was inevitable. I mean, did I ever think those records would last? No. (But) that will never change the fact that I'll always be proud to be a Leaf."

Doug MacLean is a saint

Gino Reda mentioned this story on a few days ago:

A plus to Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean for giving a young fan in Vancouver a day he'll never forget. A kid wearing a Rick Nash jersey was standing outside GM Place desperately hoping for a glimpse of his hero. MacLean walked him through security and had Nash meet and personally autograph a stick for him after practice.

Hey, maybe if I stand outside GM Place with my Sundin jersey on, John Ferguson Jr will lead me through security to meet Mats!!! No? Alright....