FINALLY, Mats Sundin is coming back to the NHL….as a CANUCK

Well….it took a loooonnnngg time (almost as long as it’s been since his former team sipped from Lord Stanley’s Mug)…but late Thursday afternoon, Mats Sundin finally made up his mind as to which city he would resume his NHL career with.

Mats Sundin

Welcome to Vancouver Mats! He had narrowed his choices to the Canucks and the New York Rangers. But the Rangers did not have enough cap space to compete with Vancouver’s lucrative offer, and as it turns out, Rangers general manager Glen Sather was not willing to blow up his team to sign the veteran center.

“I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks,” the 37 year old Swedish sensation said. “Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver offer was simply the best overall fit”.

It has been reported that Sundin agreed to a 1 year deal that will be worth $5 million dollars.

Sundin, currently in Sweden, expects to join the Canucks immediately after Christmas. According to agent J.P. Barry, the former Toronto Maple Leaf captain should be ready to play in January.

While Mats Sundin may not be the same force on the ice that he was 10 years ago, the former Leafs captain has not had a problem putting up solid numbers the last few seasons.

It will probably take the Swede some time to adjust to a new system and to get back into game shape, since he hasn’t played a game in the NHL this season, but the Canucks will welcome his size, skill and leadership on and off the ice. Sundin is the type of player that makes those around him better and expectations for him to perform will be high in Vancouver.