Canucks make push for Sundin

TIM WHARNSBY

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

July 1, 2008 at 9:15 PM EST

The Vancouver Canucks' mind-boggling two-year, $20-million (all currency U.S.) offer to Mats Sundin certainly will make it difficult for the big Swede to skate into retirement.

Sundin, 37, has maintained since his season ended with the Toronto Maple Leafs three months ago that he hasn't made up his mind whether he will play in an 18th NHL campaign. But that didn't stop him from being a popular target of NHL general managers on the opening day of free agency Tuesday.

Even though Sundin has missed the playoffs eight times and has averaged 1.01 points a game throughout his career, nine teams showed interest in the long-time Maple Leafs captain, and four clubs made offers.

Besides the Canucks' astounding tender from rookie general manager Mike Gillis, the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Leafs made bids to Sundin's representative, J.P. Barry of CAA Sports.

The Detroit Red Wings also had interest in Sundin, but the bidding got out of hand in their estimation.

"I'm not surprised by the attention he received," said Barry, who added that Vancouver's pitch "was a very, very strong offer."

Sundin, who was in Stockholm with his Swedish agent, Claes Elefalk, and was reviewing the various offers, has not excluded any of the proposals, Barry said.

In Barry's opinion, he believes Sundin is not ready to retire.

"I really believe Mats will come back," the agent said. "He's always been a guy to take his time to reflect, and maybe after today it will speed up the process."

If Sundin accepts the Canucks' bid he would become the NHL's highest paid player at $10-million a season.

Vancouver's offer would pay Sundin a $5-million signing bonus, a $5-million salary this season and next, as well as another $5-million bonus next July 1.

The Canucks' offer was believed to be worth more than $2-million a season more than any of the other deals.

Sundin was one of the many big names on the unrestricted free-agent list who did not sign a contract on the opening day of free agency.

As of late last night, big names such as Marian Hossa, Jaromir Jagr, Joe Sakic, Sean Avery, Pavol Demitra and Markus Naslund were still on the market.

The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal were reportedly in the running for Hossa's services, while the New York Islanders were the surprise winners in the Mark Streit sweepstakes, signing the former Montreal defenceman to a five-year, $20.5-million deal.

More than 51/2 hours elapsed before the biggest signing of the opening day took place when puck-moving defenceman Brian Campbell shunned the San Jose Sharks and Rangers to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks for a whopping eight-year, $57.12-million pact.

When they lost out on Campbell, the Rangers re-signed unrestricted free-agent defenceman Michal Rozsival to a four-year, $20-million deal, and former Ottawa Senators blueliner Wade Redden for six years at $39-million.

The Blackhawks also inked goalie Cristobal Huet to a four-year, $22.5-million deal, which put the club over the $56.7-million salary cap by about $3-million. But Chicago general manager Dale Tallon has several weeks to shed enough payroll.

While Avery was being pursued by the Dallas Stars Tuesday night, another top second-tier forward, Brian Rolston, jumped to the New Jersey Devils for four years and $20-million. Rolston, who was selected by the Devils in the first round of the 1991 entry draft, will be joined in New Jersey by another former Devil, Bobby Holik, who agreed to a one-year deal.

Each of the Canadian teams made moves.

The Canucks signed restricted free-agent David Backes to a three-year offer sheet worth $7.5-million, but St. Louis Blues president John Davidson swiftly announced that his club would match the offer. If the Blues had declined, Vancouver would have had to surrender a second-round pick for Backes.

While busy pursuing Sundin and Hossa, Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey found time to re-sign restricted free agent forward Andrei Kostitsyn to a three-year, $9.75-million contract.

Recommend this article? 10 votes

View the most recommended