a Garth McLennan sports editor AV es Tic six-month Mats Sundin saga has finally concluded with the Swedish oe ; Superstar agreeing to a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks. To say that the process of signing Sundin was a marathon would be = an understatement. Vancouver’s general manager, Mike Gillis, banked his entire summer on brokering a deal with the longest serving European captain in NHL history and for a long time, nobody expected Sundin to join the Canucks. However, unlike many GMs around the league, Gillis was persistent and never retracted or altered the standing two-year, $10 million offer that he tendered to Sundin and his agent, J.P. Barry, on July 1", the opening day of free agency. As many as 11 different clubs were said to be interested in Sundin and Vancouver, Montreal, Chicago and the New York Rangers all made offers. However, none could match Gillis’ and really, it’s a perfect fit for all involved. When you think about it, it may have been excruciatingly painful waiting for Sundin to make up his mind, but the fact that he took so long actually works in Vancouver’s favour. Sundin, at 37, has now had upwards of eight months off to recharge his batteries. While Vancouver had over $10 million in cap space to work with, Sundin accepted a deal for less money, which works out to $8.6 million for the full season (he actually makes about $6 million). This is huge for the Canucks as they still have more than $2.5 million in salary cap room and can add another quality player later on in the season. Then there is the fact that all Vancouver had to surrender for Sundin’s services is money. They didn’t have to give up high draft picks or good prospects and they had more than enough cap room to accommodate Sundin. In the end, the only two teams remaining in the race were Vancouver and New York, but it was clear from the get-go that the Rangers wouldn’t win the Sundin sweepstakes. They had just $1 million in cap room and would have had to trade or waive several players, which can wreak havoc on team chemistry. The Canucks now vault themselves into legitimate contender status with Sundin’s arrival. While it is true that he may not be in mid-season form straight away, all sources have said that he’s been training like a demon to get into shape and he’s ready to go. What skeptics need to remember is that § this is Mats Sundin we’re talking about here. This is a guy that has been about the only bright light in Toronto for years. He’s the Maple Leafs’ all time leading goals and points leader and at 6’5, 231 pounds, he gives the Canucks what they’ ve been seeking for years: a true powerhouse center. Sundin, who has played in nine NHL all-star games, will provide a huge boost to the Canucks even if he never records a point. With Sundin and presumably Kyle Wellwood or Pavol Demitra on one line, and the Sedin twins with Demitra or Hansen on another, Vancouver now has something they haven’t had for a very long time: two real scoring lines. Now, opposing ; teams will be sending out their best defenders to stop Sundin, which means = that the Sedin twins will be playing against other teams’ third and fourth best s defensive players. Watch for their offensive production to spike. iy In 17 NHL seasons, Sundin has been a point-per-game player almost = every single year. He has 555 goals, 766 assists and 1321 points in 1305 = games and is the first Swedish player to score 500 goals and the only Swede B to reach the 1000-point milestone. He also knows pressure; being the captain and best player on often-dismal Toronto Maple Leafs’ teams isn’t easy. Sundin also has a connection to Vancouver. One of the team’s best defensemen, Matthias Ohlund, has suited up alongside Sundin in numerous | international competitions for Sweden, including the 2006 gold medal = winning squad at the Turin Winter Olympics, a team that Sundin captained. = In fact, Sundin called Ohlund up to get his take on the team before signing. So, overall this is a tremendous boost to a team that needed that x-factor = to get them over the hump. They may not be Detroit or San Jose just yet, but © with this signing, the Vancouver Canucks can now expect to beat any team © in the NHL.