Mats Sundin Emerges From the Shadows and....Speaks: No Olympics / NHL Future Uncertain

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 21, 2009 12:46 AM PDT in Mats Sundin Comment 15 comments

For the first time since he cleaned out his locker in GM Place, Sundin spoke to Hockeyexpressen about his plans.

- He will not play for Sweden in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. He says it is time for the next generation to take over.

- Sundin is still disappointed about the loss to the Blackhawks, as he thought that had the Canucks beat Chicago, they would have had a great chance against Detroit. (I agree)

- He was proud of his 8 points in 8 games in the playoffs and happy about how he and the Canucks progressed after the dreadful January from hell. That is how he responded when asked about the criticism he received.

- He hinted that he was not happy with the ice time that Alain Vigneault gave him when he first started playing. That's strange, because I think Sundin looked lost out there and the coaching staff was trying to bring him back slowly. Usually, players will say that they need more icetime to find their game quicker.

- WILL SUNDIN PLAY IN THE 2009-10 SEASON? Well, there is where Sundin offers little info once again. He said he will continue thinking about it over the next few weeks and have a decision some time in the summer. When asked if playing for the Canucks again was a possibility Mats said "absolutely."

Gunnar Nordstrom's interview with Sundin can be found here.

Personally, I'd like to see Sundin play a whole season with Vancouver. But I'm not in agreement with Gillis waiting around for Sundin to make up his mind again like last year. Basically, commit to the team before July 1 or get lost. We have a winning team to build here.

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“He will not play for Sweden in the 2010 Olympics in Sweden”

I guess after all these years of Vancouver stealing from Sweden, it’s time the Swedes took something back. Gordon Campbell’s gonna have a lot of ’splaining to do about this tho.

by passive_voice on Jun 21, 2009 12:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

on the real, tho, i think you nailed it about sundin. if he wants to come back (and can make up his mind within the next couple weeks) on a reasonable (ie. 1-year) deal, i’m very optimistic about what he could help the nucks do.

by passive_voice on Jun 21, 2009 12:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edited. Thanks. Yeesh, I got Sweden on the brain.
I hope the translation is accurate. “Make an announcement in the summer” means what exactly? By July 1? Later than that? He shouldn’t handcuff GM’s again. Niedermayer and Selanne only got away with that once.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 21, 2009 1:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

smartass :)

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 21, 2009 3:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In his defense

Andy Reid is the only coach in NFL history that uses the pass to set up the pass.

by SSreporters on Jun 23, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

god damn he’ll be about 41 by then! :)

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 23, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are too many tasty morsels in the UFA market that could provide so much more than gramps could next year.

by GZ Expat on Jun 21, 2009 2:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It looks more and more like gramps is retiring. But I’d still sign him for a year. Another poker buddy to keep Lou happy.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 21, 2009 3:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He really should’ve started that no Olympics thingy a bit earlier

Как же так может быть?

by sleza on Jun 21, 2009 7:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He should play the whole season

or nothing.

I wouldn’t mind if he stayed in Vancouver, but a part of me wants him to come back home…

Sports And The City

A Toronto sports blog, where unabashed homerism is alive and well...

PLAYOFFS!!!!1

by eyebleaf on Jun 21, 2009 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As the stick boy?

I am a Free Canadian
Real Eyes Realize Real Lies

by Temujin on Jun 21, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aren’t the Leafs too busy tanking it for draft picks over the next few years?
I kid. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see him play in Toronto one last time either, but that’s an expensive mentor for the young that I don’t see Burke paying for. Right now I think he fits in Van better, but I may also be biased because he’s my fave unretired player still. But also, I liked the RPM line. Sundin got more out of Demitra and Kesler especially than anyone else has. If Sundin doesn’t return here, then another 80-90 point player does to play with those 2.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 21, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waha, love beating TSN to the punch. That’s what I get for playing Grand Theft Auto and scouring Swedish papers so damned late at night.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Jun 21, 2009 12:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sundin's assist on the GWG right off the faceoff in the 2006 Olympics final was a beauty!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuAyKKRnuSo

If Sundin had signed with the Wings this past season, it would have been a reunion of the Sweden Olympics team. I’m sure he also would have delivered too.

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 21, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs