Homecoming King: Sundin Returns to Toronto

The easiest thing to do from Saturday is just to take the night chronologically...
Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin returned to the post office in an unfamiliar set of colors. He was coming back as a member of the Vancouver Canucks...

Here's how the night started... courtesy of our friends at Leafs TV...
Here's the first segment of the pre-game show...hosted by Jody Vance...


And here's how it ended... like it was supposed to end any other way...
((HT: CBC/HNIC/NHL))


And your postgame with FOSG Elliotte Friedman...
((HT: CBC/HNIC/NHL))

Relaxed Sundin Ready To Go

Iain Macintyre of the Vancouver Sun catches up with the most-newest of Vancouver Canucks- Mats Sundin ((pictured, thanks Ward Perrin/Vancouver Sun)).

Sundin will be paid a pro-rated CDN$8.26-million for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season. He's staying behind after the home game against the Flyers Tuesday and, probably, won't play for about a week in a Canuck uniform.

“I hope I can contribute and bring my game back to the way I played last season. Once I start playing, whenever I’m on the ice I’m going to try to be as good as I can be and help the team any way I can.”

All this as Toronto Maple Leaf fans curse as loudly as they can...

Sundin To Canucks

Spurning his old team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, 37-year-old Mats Sundin ((pictured, thanks AFP)) has selected the Vancouver Canucks to be his bestest buddies for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season.

Sundin had his final two as the New York Rangers and the Canucks, but he wil now receive a pro-rated salary of US$10-million for the rest of the season at GM Place.

"I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks," said Sundin in a team statement. "Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver opportunity was simply the best overall fit. I want to thank Mike Gillis and the entire Canucks organization for their professionalism throughout this entire process."

"We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks," said general manager Mike Gillis. "Playing previously in two Canadian markets and consistently being among team and League leaders in scoring, Mats has proven that he can excel under pressure. He adds a wealth of experience, leadership and skill to the Canucks."

Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago, Ottawa, Philadelphia, the Rangers, and Toronto had all once courted Sundin after the Hab's window of exclusive negotiations ended in the summer. The Canucks, it is rumored, had a two-year, US$20-million offer that was never pulled off the table.

Sundin cannot join the Canucks until December 27th due to the Christmas roster freeze instituted by the National Hockey League.

Eric Duhatschek from the Globe and Mail checks in on the Sundin signing in black...