Mats Sundin Signs with Canucks

Comments 17 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Well it finally happened after months and months of speculation, waiting, and getting tired of the tease. Former Toronto captain Mats Sundin has officially signed with the Vancouver Canucks.


Photo credit: Aaron Webb

“Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis today announced that the team has signed free agent centre Mats Sundin. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks,” said Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks General Manager. “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.”

“I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks,” said Sundin. “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.” [Canucks.com]

I’ve been following the commentary on various Canucks blogs (and on Twitter) since the summer about this possible transaction – what do you think? One day after we retired #16 to the rafters, is this a new era for the team? Former Maple Leaf Kyle Wellwood seems to be working out for us (mind you there’s still some name calling going around), but are Vancouver fans ready to accept another Leaf on our ice?

[poll id=”22″]

Learn more today from the press conference at GM Place – 4:15pm PT on TEAM1040am.

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17 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. RossHJThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:27pm PST

    I’m happy to see him as a Canuck – we need some more leadership. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn out to be Messier part 2.

  2. Miss604Thursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:31pm PST

    Wow Ross, that’s a very scary thought hehe

  3. Kye GraceThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:35pm PST

    I am very happy and look forward to what the New Year brings for the Canucks and its great fans!

    Hockey is a complicated game and it is very difficult for many of us to interpret how certain things will play out. I am optimistic that will be a phenomenal move for the team that at one point my entire life revolved around (teen years, little responsibilities) and a portion still does (adult years, many responsibilities).

    GO Canucks GO

  4. Twitchy67Thursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:37pm PST

    Lol “coming this Christmas, only in theatres: Messier II, Gillis’ Folley. Watch as another overpaid old guy under-performs and contributes to the annual dream-smashing of canucks fans’ cup hopes.”

    NOT the movie I hope to see…

    All in all I think he’ll be good, but I kind of have a sour aftertaste from the chain yanking he’s done all season. I didn’t like it when have the ducks did it, and I didn’t like it so much this season either.

  5. Twitchy67Thursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:38pm PST

    er…that was supposed to say “*Half* the ducks”

  6. AliThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:44pm PST

    happy. A big, talented, experienced player. hopefully he shows up to work every night!

  7. CalebThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 3:46pm PST

    Does it surprise you that I’m “undecided” as to whether I’m happy, not happy or apathetic. From his stats, he should help us, but it’s the team chemistry that concerns me. Speaking of retiring #16, I wonder if Sundin signing in Vancouver is going to hurt his chances of having his number retired with the Leafs.

  8. Twitchy67Thursday, December 18th, 2008 — 4:13pm PST

    The big question is who goes downstairs to make room?

  9. darrenThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 4:19pm PST

    (building on Ali’s comment):

    …experinced player,…

    …who makes $10 million or so a year, who is only going to play for a few more years, joining a team that needs someone to help make our opponents shake when we blast through the blue line like they did in 2004…

    hopefully he shows, etc etc

  10. Mats Sundin: Summer Rental | ian andrew bellThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 6:10pm PST

    […] reordered to make room for you, because that will all be torn down at the end of the season.  Many people are giddy to see you coming here, but I’m not so sure.  […]

  11. Ian BellThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 6:19pm PST

    While it’s exciting to add yet another Swede to the Canucks’ lineup I very much doubt Sundin will be shopping for property in Vancouver.

    He’s a very pricey summer rental. Let’s hoe it pans out:

    http://www.ianbell.com/2008/12/18/mats-sundin-summer-rental/

  12. Taris JanitensThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 8:39pm PST

    Never thought i’d see sundin go from our dear maple leafs to vancouver!! You guys got an excellent player thats for damn sure

  13. vancouver limousineThursday, December 18th, 2008 — 9:33pm PST

    great news! I heard on the Team 1040 earlier today and couldn’t believe it. I hope it doesn’t turn out to be another Mark Messier nightmare.

  14. RosterBlog » Mats Sundin: Summer RentalFriday, December 19th, 2008 — 9:39am PST

    […] to make room for you, because all of that will be torn down at the end of the season.  Many people are giddy to see you coming here, but I’m not so sure.  […]

  15. A Different DarrenSaturday, December 20th, 2008 — 8:20am PST

    I’ve heard frequent references to Messier, but I don’t think the comparisons are apt. Messier was handed an $18 million, 3 year deal and expected to take the team to the promised land.

    As I understand it (I’m kind of out of the loop, being out of the country), Sundin has only signed for this year. Yes, it’s a lot of money, but it’s strictly cap room (and ownership dollars).

    Was the team going to find a better deal than Sundin at the trading deadline? Not without giving up serious assets in terms of young players and draft picks. And trade deadline deals rarely work out as well as the ‘buyer’ team hopes.

    I’m very glad Sundin wasn’t signed for next year at $10 million, as per the initial offer. If he sucks over the next six months, the Canucks will be well rid of him. Still, even if he only scores at a, say, 45-50 points for a season pace, that’s a handy player to have around.

    So, at worst, the team gets a little better and loses nothing (in terms of cap space or assets) in the long term.

  16. VancityAllieTuesday, December 23rd, 2008 — 2:28pm PST

    What I’m really excited about is the player they are hoping to get to complement Sundin and the team and to try for a Cup run. I wonder who they are going to get with that extra cap space… a good Canadian boy with heart, perhaps? 😉

  17. Thinking About the Canucks’ DerailmentSaturday, January 31st, 2009 — 11:55pm PST

    […] Sundin signed with the Canucks, I wrote a comment on Rebecca’s site: I’m very glad Sundin wasn’t signed for next year at $10 million, as per the initial offer. If […]

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