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Sundin denies Canucks rumour, says he's still undecided about future

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Mats Sundin has denied rumours that he has accepted a two-year, US$20-million offer from the Vancouver Canucks, saying he will make a decision on his future within weeks.

The longtime Toronto Maple Leafs captain told Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet that other options remain on the table.

"It's not at all true that I've signed for Vancouver. I haven't even decided whether I should keep playing hockey yet," Sundin was quoted as saying in an interview published Monday.

Sundin, one of the top forwards still available on the NHL free agent market, said he would make a decision on his future next month or as early as next week.

"If I play it's going to be for the entire season. That means I would be there at the start, when the training camp begins," he said.

He called Vancouver's offer "flattering."

"If you're a professional hockey player then the money is part of the picture ahead of making a decision," he said. "But there are other things that matter. If it was just the money then I would have already signed for Vancouver."

He didn't rule out remaining with the Maple Leafs.

"Nothing has been ruled out. I got a very good offer from them, too, and also from Montreal," he said. "But Vancouver's contract was in a class of its own if you look at the money."

The Canucks are looking for a replacement for Markus Naslund, its former captain, who signed for the New York Rangers.

Sundin said he feels strongly for Toronto after 13 seasons in the club.

"It feels like home. But let's see. I haven't gotten as far as thinking about clubs yet," he said.

The 37-year-old Swede won an Olympic gold medal with his country in 2006, but doesn't expect to defend the title at the Vancouver Olympics.

"It's very doubtful that I would play another Olympic tournament," Sundin said. "You should never say never, but it feels like a very remote idea."

COMMENTS (15)

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Brian Burke Posted
(2009-04-30 06:40:03)



Gillis' offer to Sundin is ridiculous. Another desperate GM desperately trying to save his job.
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Peter Forsberg Posted
(2009-04-30 06:39:16)



Mats and I are going to go play in the KHL. Then Ken Campbell can write another piece about how only washed up Euros will play in the new league and dozens of bigots can comment about who the NHL doesn't need us Euros anyway and good riddance.
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Steve Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:58)



John, just take a look at Sundin and the Leafs' record. Sundin, as usual put up decent numbers but only contributed 4 game winning goals...4? And really, are "good" or "decent" numbers good enough from a team's number one center getting paid the big bucks and the one gobbling up premium ice time on all the power plays? Sudin is a huge part of the Leafs and a big reason why they had a bad year. He can no longer help them win and it is not all management's fault. It is just time the Leafs moved on Sundin stepped aside. That's all I'm saying.
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john Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:57)



im not a fan of mats sundin however steve, mats was the only one on the leafs team that was good. Sundin lead his team in goals assists and points and he only played 74 games. He is the oldest in the top 20 for points. next would be alfredson who was on a team with lots of offense. Explain to me how Mats is no longer good. I think that the maple leafs management is no longer good. They are going to be sad this year whos the top prospect for the 2009 draft? I dont agree with 2 years 20million how about 1 year 6 million haha
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Weezer Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:57)



Vancouver spends more time traveling than just about any other team in the NHL. Vancouver has added a lot of new faces this off season which equates to "no chemistry". Vancouver is hoping and praying that their "one season superstar goalie" can somehow find a way to get his game back. Vancouver is most likely not going to be a contender this, and probably not even next season. These are the reasons that Sundin is being offered such a ridiculous amount of money at this point in his career. He is being asked to give up a shot at Lord Stanley's Cup to come babysit a team that doesn't have a sense of self. He is being asked to come in and help give the team some direction without being required to provide that much in offense. He is being asked to be the "big name" guy, while at the same time being slowly allowed to fade away. He knows it, and he's probably not ready to accept it. This is why he's taking his time.
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Joe Blake Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:55)



It would actually be refreshing to see Sundin sign with Toronto or Montreal for less money than Vancouver offer . He could make a difference in Toronto and Montreal but not so sure for Vancouver. Vignault might want him to collapse back to Luongo with the rest of the Canucks and block shots.
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Steve Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:55)



Sundin is in the twilight of the twilight of his non-descript career. Please just retire already. Toronto was not a bad team last year for poor reasons...they were bad because their best player was (is?) no longer any good.
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Bob Allisat Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:51)



I've said it before... Bob Gainey PLEASE don't sign this guy. I think he's a better fit for Vancouver. He can replace another good (but not great) Swede who also couldn't lead a pack of barbarians to a strip joint. Or return him the the Leafs who need another year of the tepid, mushy, think of number one Captain. Like they need a return of the Muskoka five.
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scott Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:49)



seriously, ten mill for mats sundin!!
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Flyerfan52 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:38:49)



It's a big decision so let him take his time. He's also got roughly 20 million more reasons than most of us will ever have to really think about what he wants to do and make sure he doesn't spend the rest of his life second guessing himself. Leave him be to mull it over. He's the one that will live with the consequences.
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