Canucks Trade Rumors

"Nearly five months after hearing that their new general manager apparently had doubts about their leadership and future with the Vancouver Canucks, Daniel and Henrik Sedin will finally meet Mike Gillis next week at a meeting to clarify their standing. The Wednesday summit, which will include player agent J.P. Barry and assistant general manager Laurence Gilman, wasn't quite the extraordinary meeting with management the Sedins expected when last season ended. Barry and former general manager Dave Nonis had planned to travel together to Sweden and sign the Sedins to long-term extensions -- likely for less than market value, a concession the twins were willing to accept for the Canucks' ..."

"Despite reports to the contrary, Mats Sundin has not reduced his choice of teams to two -- if he does indeed play hockey this season. "He hasn't narrowed it down at all," Sundin's Calgary-based agent, J.P. Barry, stated Friday. "He's still trying to decide whether or not he's going to play and he won't comment to me, or anybody else, about teams until he does that. "I mean, if he has narrowed it down to two, that would be big news. At this stage, I would practically put out a press release if he's narrowed it down to two teams." The Vancouver Canucks are among Sundin's most ardent suitors and have offered him $10 million a season for either one or two years. Barry refuted the notion that ..."

"The agent for free-agent centre Mats Sundin says his client may not make a decision about whether to continue his National Hockey League career until after the start of the regular season. J.P. Barry said Wednesday that a decision by Sundin is not imminent and suggested there is no guarantee that Sundin will meet his self-imposed, end-of-August deadline to decide whether he will play this season. "We are going to talk to him later this week just to get an update from him, but right now we are not putting any pressure on him because he has to get that feeling that he wants to play," Barry said. "But right now, he's no closer." Barry did not rule out the 37-year-old Sundin following a path ..."

"The 2007-08 edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs' media guide is as much a resource for player preferences as it is for player stats. According to the NHL team guide, Mats Sundin wants to meet human-rights activist Nelson Mandela, enjoys vacationing in the Swedish colony of Saint Barth and "would be an electrician" had he not been so skilled with the puck. It also reveals that the 37-year-old loves playing in Manhattan, listing New York and Madison Square Garden as his favourite road city and arena. So it hardly comes as a surprise that the Rangers, who recently lost Jaromir Jagr to the new Continental Hockey League in Russia, are on the shortlist of teams that Sundin would not mind playing ..."

"It looks like Mats Sundin may wait until late August before deciding whether to return to the NHL - never mind with which team. Sundin seemed no closer to deciding on his future during an interview with a Sportsnet reporter, who caught up to the former Leafs captain on a golf course in Sweden on Monday. "I haven't decided yet," Sundin told the network. "I think sometime in August I hope to come to a conclusion on what I'm going to do ... if I'm going to play or not this year." Sundin backtracked on comments he made to a Swedish newspaper in July, when he suggested he'd choose his path in early August. "I never had a deadline," he said. "I know there was talk about the first of August, but ..."

"As soap operas go, the Mats Sundin sudsfest is getting as loopy to follow as Coronation Street. Just when everyone thought Sundin's choices were down to three -- return to the Maple Leafs, take big bucks with the Vancouver Canucks, or retire -- and that he would decide by today, agent J.P. Barry told a Vancouver radio station that six teams were in the hunt and Sundin could take well into August to make his call. "The number (of teams) has gone up, not gone down since July 1," Barry told the Team 1040 yesterday. The Leafs, Canucks, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens are thought to be in the six-pack, while Detroit has dropped out. At least it appears Sundin will play somewhere in ..."

"Like most everyone in the hockey world, Vancouver Canuck GM Mike Gillis is waiting for Mats Sundin to announce his decision to play - or not play - this coming NHL season. Sundin is supposed to reveal all by Friday. The reluctant Swede has a standing $10-million offer from Gillis for either one or two years. "We've presented our case and now we have to wait and see what he wants to do," Gillis said Wednesday. "We're in touch with his agents all the time but, no, I haven't had any further personal discussions with Mats since the first week in July. "I think once he decides he's going to play, then we'll probably have another discussion about where we're currently at, the fit and all those ..."

"Vermette's name has also been mentioned in a number of trade rumours, including swaps with Toronto (for Pavel Kubina), Vancouver (Ryan Kesler or Sami Salo), Chicago, Columbus and Florida. Most of them make no sense at all, because they don't consider the crucial element: Murray's need to squeeze under the salary cap."

"Almost four months after the season ended, we should find out this week whether Mats Sundin will continue his NHL career. Where he plays – if the 37-year-old indeed decides to return – might take a little longer; wouldn't want to rush things after all. "Hopefully, we'll know whether he's going to play or not. It might take a little longer to figure out the team situation," Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, said. "I'm just waiting for him to say for sure that he wants to play. That's still step one." Barry and Sundin have arrived at what the agent called a "soft deadline" of Friday to make that first key decision. Barry said Sundin will need the time after that to physically prepare for training ..."

"Whether it's contingent on Mats Sundin not signing in Vancouver is unclear, but the Canucks are reportedly interested in Ottawa Senators centre Antoine Vermette. According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, the Canucks have kicked the tires on a deal for the 26-year-old restricted free agent who scored 53 points (24-29) in 81 games last season for Ottawa. Vermette will go to salary arbitration at the end of July and the Senators are apparently concerned he may be awarded $2.5 to $3 million. The other reason the Sens might be willing to part with the second-line scoring of Vermette is they are desperate to add some offence to their back end. GM Brian Murray tried to get free-agent offensive ..."

"It appears the Mats Sundin soap opera could be over within the next week. According to an interview with the unrestricted free agent centre published Monday in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Sundin may make a decision about his future -- and a two-year, $20 million offer from the Vancouver Canucks -- by the end of July. "I hope to make a decision about continuing with hockey in August or perhaps at the end of this month," Sundin told the newspaper."

"Unrestricted free-agent forward Mats Sundin said he hasn't decided if he'll even return to the National Hockey League for another season, denying reports he was prepared to sign with the Vancouver Canucks. "It's not true at all that I'm definitely going to Vancouver. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to continue to play hockey," Sundin told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in yesterday's editions. I'm still trying to gather my thoughts and decide what I'll do in the future. I'm going to try to reach a decision within the next few weeks."...The Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are also potential destinations, should the 37-year-old centre return for the 2008-09 season."

"Mats Sundin is expected to announce within two weeks whether he will play this coming season. And the Maple Leafs remain an option -- should he return to the NHL. "I will make a decision in the end of July or beginning of August," Sundin told Stockholm's Aftonbladet newspaper yesterday. "If I am going to play it's for the full season and I want to be there from the beginning of August." Sundin went on to suggest that he'll either play for the Leafs or Vancouver Canucks in 2008-09. "The Maple Leafs are not out of the picture if I decide to play," he said. "They made me a very good offer, even if it isn't even close to what the Canucks have offered. "But I have been in ..."

"Though Toronto's offer "isn't even close" to the $20 million that the Vancouver Canucks have on the table, Mats Sundin has not ruled out returning to the Maple Leafs. Of course, the 37-year-old also hasn't ruled out retiring. Or signing on with Montreal for that matter. Sundin remains at least a week away from announcing his future hockey plans. "The Maple Leafs are not out of the picture if I decide to play," the Leafs' captain emeritus told Swedish paper Aftonbladet in yesterday's editions. "They made me a very good offer, even if it isn't even close to what the Canucks have offered. But I have been in Toronto for 13 seasons and it is like home to me. Nothing is out of the ..."

"Mats Sundin expects to announce within the next two weeks where he will play next year. And the Maple Leafs remain an option - should he return to the NHL. "I will make a decision in the end of July or beginning of August," Sundin told Stockholm's Aftonbladet newspaper yesterday. "If I am going to play it's for the full season and I want to be there from the beginning of August." Sundin went on to suggest that he'll either play for the Leafs or Vancouver Canucks in 2008-09. "The Maple Leafs are not out of the picture if I decide to play," he said. "They made me a very good offer, even if it isn't even close to what the Canucks have offered. "But I have been in Toronto for 13 ..."

"Unrestricted free-agent forward Mats Sundin says he hasn't decided if he'll even return to the National Hockey League for another season, denying reports he was prepared to sign with the Vancouver Canucks. "It's not true at all that I'm definitely going to Vancouver. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to continue to play hockey," Sundin told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in Monday's editions. "I'm still trying gather my thoughts and decide what I'll do in the future. I'm going to try to reach a decision within the next few weeks." Earlier this month, the Canucks offered Sundin a two-year, $20-million US offer."

"Sundin has still given no firm indication when he'll decide whether to accept a two-year, $20 million US contract offer from the Canucks -- there is also a one-year option from general manager Mike Gillis -- or whether he'll play for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs or retire. However, the unrestricted free agent centre has been working out, which seems to indicate that he'll playing in the 2008-09 NHL season. Gillis has dangled the opportunity to captain Sweden in the 2010 Olympics at Vancouver. Gillis remains encouraged by his ongoing dialogue with Sundin and his North American agent J.P. Barry and the fact that the Canucks have outbid other suitors for the hulking ..."

"Mats Sundin's fishing trip in northern Sweden is over, so perhaps this is the week when the Vancouver Canucks will find out if they have landed what would be a huge free-agent catch. A report Sunday in a Swedish newspaper suggested that Sundin had agreed to join the Canucks, but that was quickly dismissed by Sundin's Calgary-based agent J.P. Barry. "It was a false rumour," Barry said Sunday. "I've been getting bombarded with calls because of it." The story was reported by the Daily News in Sweden under the byline of Dusan Umicevic, a reporter Barry called "a trainee journalist." "This guy has now written two articles that simply aren't true," Barry said."

"Despite Swedish reports to the contrary, it appears Mats Sundin has not agreed to join the Vancouver Canucks. The unrestricted free agent's Swedish-based representative, Claes Elefalk, claims the story that appeared in the Daily News is completely false, claiming that reporter Dusan Umicevic contacted him seeking a quote. Despite Elefalk telling the reporter that his information was false, the story was published anyway. As it stands, the Canucks remain one of the team's that Sundin is currently considering, but he has still to make up his mind as to whether or not he will play next season."

"A Swedish newspaper nearly started an international incident on Sunday as they reported that Mats Sundin has agreed to play for the Vancouver Canucks, a claim that Sundin's Swedish representative denies. Sundin's Swedish based representative Claes Elefalk claims the story in the Daily News is completely false, claiming that reporter Dusan Umicevic contacted him seeking a quote. Despite Elefalk telling the reporter that his information was incorrect, Umicevic published the story anyway. While the Canucks remain one of the team's that Sundin is considering, he has yet to make a decision as to whether or not he will play next season."

"A U.S. report that unrestricted free agent Brendan Shanahan was offered and rejected a one-year, $2-million US offer from the Vancouver Canucks is inaccurate, according to his agent. "I can tell you that I've never been approached or had any discussions with Vancouver regarding Brendan," said Rick Curran, who added that San Jose and Montreal are not in the mix either. "We've only been having discussions with one team and that's the New York Rangers."

"When Geoff Courtnall played tour guide for former St. Louis Blues linemate Pavol Demitra in the spring, he sold the unrestricted free agent forward on Vancouver's culture, cuisine and beauty. Courtnall also sold Demitra on playing for the Canucks..."I told him if the Canucks are one of the teams that comes around July 1 [free agency], you should definitely think of playing there." Demitra has done just that. Not only has the former Minnesota Wild forward stated that the Canucks top his wish list -- a Slovakian newspaper has reported he's close to signing a three-year, $12-million-US deal -- general manager Mike Gillis has acknowledged contract dialogue with his former client."

"Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison may be gone, Mats Sundin may never come, but the Vancouver Canucks are getting a nibble, at least, from one unrestricted free agent. That would be Minnesota Wild forward Pavol Demitra, who told a city radio station Tuesday that there's "a good chance" he will join the good ship Canuck. "I think there is a good chance," Demitra told CKNW. "[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. I am very interested in playing for [the Canucks].""

"Brendan Morrison will end his 586-game association with the Vancouver Canucks today by confirming a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, The Province has learned. Nine teams were in the running for the Pitt Meadows native, who said no thanks to offers from Columbus and Minnesota on July 2 and also had interest from Los Angeles. Anaheim was always a strong possibility because of the club's offensive shortcomings and Morrison's relationship with its management team."

"Morrison's departure, coupled with Naslund's last Thursday, puts further pressure on Gillis to land reluctant superstar Mats Sundin. The 37-year-old Swede is sitting on a massive $10-million-a-season offer from Gillis. Sundin can choose either a one- or two-year proposal. Meanwhile, Canuck defenceman Mattias Ohlund said he is ready to pump up Vancouver should Sundin require any additional information on the team or city. Ohlund is now the longest serving Canuck with Trevor Linden and Naslund both gone. "If Mats calls, trust me I will put in a good word for the team," Ohlund chuckled Monday from his summer home in northern Sweden. "I haven't spoken to him or the Canucks or anybody ..."

"Brendan Morrison has decided to cast his lot with old friend Brian Burke and the Anaheim Ducks. The nifty little centre should be introduced today as a new Duck, thus ending his seven-plus seasons in Vancouver. The contract is for one year and is believed to be worth about $2.75 million. Morrison was offered a one-year deal for $1.9 million by Canuck general manager Mike Gillis. He made $3.2 million in each of the last three seasons."

"Mike Penny, director of pro scouting with the Toronto Maple Leafs, isn't convinced Mats Sundin has written Vancouver off as a destination to wind down his career. "He told us he's not prepared to make a decision on playing next year for at least a month," Penny says. "But that was before any mention of $20 million over two years was in the works. Do I think he'd be interested in the Canucks' offer? Yes, I do." Canucks' GM Mike Gillis reportedly spoke with Sundin one-on-one as recently as Thursday."

"Unrestricted free agent centre Brendan Morrison will not re-sign with the Vancouver Canucks, The Province has learned. At one point, seven teams expressed interest in Morrison and a source indicated that the 32-year-old Pitt Meadows native is expected to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere and reject a one-year, $1.9-million US offer from the Canucks."

"The Senators' search for a puck-moving blueliner isn't going to be easy. With little left on the unrestricted free-agent market, GM Bryan Murray will probably have to go the trade route. While Tampa's Dan Boyle and Anaheim's Mathieu Schneider are expensive options, Carolina defenceman Frantisek Kaberle is being dangled by the Hurricanes and is scheduled to earn a reasonable $2.2 million (all terms US) a season for the next two years. Carolina would want a winger in return."

"The Vancouver Canucks are one of three teams in the running for veteran defenseman, Dan Boyle. Sources tell TSN the Canucks, San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers are the three teams Boyle is considering, however he has yet to waive his no-trade clause to clear the way for a trade. The belief is Boyle will consent to trade at some point today and will select the team of his choice, however until he officially waives his no-trade, there is always a chance the Lightning's efforts to move him may be scuttled."

"The Senators are bracing for a raid on restricted free agents Antoine Vermette and Andrej Meszaros. League sources told Sun Media yesterday the Canucks, Thrashers and Blue Jackets are so desperate to make a splash on the free-agent market, they're all looking at making offers for the highly touted winger and defenceman. The Senators would have the right to match any offer sheet to keep Vermette and Meszaros."

"Mike Gillis promised to explore the possibility of landing a big-name when NHL free agency opened Tuesday. How about Mats Sundin? Big enough? The Vancouver Canucks GM has offered the unrestricted free agent centre a two-year contract that will pay the hulking Swedish centre $10 million US annually. Sundin, 37, also fielded offers from the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. Nine teams have kicked the contract tires on the durable 6-foot-5, 231-pounder who has considered retirement. The Canucks' offer has made Sundin think twice about his future...Gillis has not placed a time limit on his offer, but expects to rekindle his drive to land Sundin today."

"On the eve of the National Hockey League entry draft two weeks ago, Vancouver Canuck general manager Mike Gillis and player agent J.P. Barry quietly got together to discuss Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Their conversation -- in general, non-tampering terms, of course -- must have veered at one point to another of Barry's Swedish clients because on the opening day of free agency Gillis burst from the blocks Tuesday with a two-year, $20-million-US offer to Toronto Maple Leafs' free agent Mats Sundin."

"The threat of retirement is not standing in the way of NHL teams taking a hard run at free agent forward Mats Sundin. Sources tell TSN as many as four teams have tablde offers for the 37 year old, including one undisclosed team - believed to be the Vancouver Canucks - that has offered a whopping $10 million per year on a multi-year contract. Sundin, who remains in Sweden is said to considering all of his options, but has yet to decide whether or not he play next season."

"If the Isles target a veteran, it's more likely to be at center, where they can use an experienced playmaker for young wingers Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Jeff Tambellini. Anaheim's Doug Weight, who played with Isles captain Bill Guerin in Edmonton, would make sense, and Vancouver's Brendan Morrison also might fit the bill. Some Islanders fans might hope Snow goes after a restricted free agent with an offer sheet, but the cost in draft picks would run counter to his building plans."

"Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson didn't expect to sleep well last night. Club president Mike Priest predicted he'll spend much of today "pacing the halls, sort of like an expectant father." When NHL free agency opens at noon, the Blue Jackets are expected to be one of the league's most active clubs, armed with $12 million to $15 million and hoping to add three or four players. One of those players will be Ottawa defenseman Wade Redden, a two-time All-Star. An NHL source confirmed to The Dispatch last night that the Blue Jackets are expected to make a significant offer for the 31-year-old, an 11-year veteran...Among the other players the Jackets might consider: Michael ..."

"Sean Avery, given permission to speak with other teams late last week, is believed to have offers in his asking-price neighborhood of four years, $16M from at least the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks and Canucks, with other suitors expected to emerge. It's unknown whether Sather will negotiate against those offers, or whether last week's four-year, $12 bid indeed represented his final offer."

"If Lamoriello doesn't sign Salvador ("a distinct possibility," agent Carlos Sosa said last night), ex-Devil Mike Commodore is his likely target. In addition to a puck-moving defenseman such as Campbell, the Devils need a No. 1 center. Ex-Devil Brendan Morrison is a top possibility, and though he left New Jersey on less-than-happy terms, would consider a return. More likely, however, would be Blackhawk and former Red Wing Jason Williams, 27, coming back from a hernia-addled season. Montreal might chase ex-Devil Bobby Holik."

"The question facing Gainey is: What happens if Sundin doesn't agree with Gainey that Montreal and Sundin would be a perfect fit? There are other players, but this year's free-agency crop is thin at centre. There are older players like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Jaromir Jagr who seem unlikely to play in Montreal. The next level includes Atlanta's Bobby Holik, who has size but is clearly on the downside of his career at 36, and Vancouver's Brendan Morrison, a dependable player who lacks the size the Canadiens desire. Gainey's best Plan B may be to adopt the same philosophy as the draft and go for the best player available. That means another run at Pittsburgh's Marian Hossa."

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are expected to make a play Tuesday for unrestricted free agent centre Brendan Morrison, The Province has learned. Although they acquired R.J. Umberger at the NHL entry draft, the Blue Jackets see Morrison as a better playmaking fit to work with hulking winger Rick Nash and also balance out their top two lines. That projection, coupled with the Vancouver Canucks not offering term or money in an extension, means the Pitt Meadows native will likely end his Canuck career with 393 points in 543 games -- unless there's a change in franchise focus."

"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."

"The Blue Jackets desperately need a power-play quarterback, so look for them to make attempts to sign Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Montreal's Mark Streit or the New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival. San Jose's Brian Campbell, the top available "offensive" defenseman, could be a target, too, but he might be the most sought-after player this summer, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets -- loads of money or not -- would be Campbell's choice. The Blue Jackets also want a big, nasty, shut-down defenseman who will make them harder to play against. Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik and Ottawa's Mike Commodore would fit the bill. Now to the other end of the ice...Look for ..."

"More than a dozen unrestricted free agent goaltenders are set to test the market on July 1, leaving Mike Gillis with options to lock up a backup for starter Roberto Luongo. The Vancouver Canucks general manager has not offered Curtis Sanford a contract extension, according to the backup goalie's agent, so expect the rumour mill to start churning out names. One will be Alex Auld. The former Canucks stopper is not only coming off a fine relief performance for the Boston Bruins last season -- a 12-13-5 record, 2.68 goals-against average and .907 save percentage -- the unrestricted free agent is being edged out of the crease by the fully healed Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas."

"Hossa will have several clubs pursuing his services July 1, and Vancouver is considered a fast-charging contender as the Canucks look to make a splash in the offseason. The Canucks also plan to chase left wing Ryan Malone, who said last week he will exercise his unrestricted option. Vancouver likely cannot offer Hossa $8 million annually over five years - the deal he is believed to be seeking - but would bid high for Malone, possibly more than $5 million annually on a long-term contract."

"Ron Delorme understood exactly what was going on around him last week and, despite the many questions over his future with the Vancouver Canucks, he said getting a good player for the organization was his priority. Over the years, there have been many questions about Delorme's work in Vancouver. But there have never been questions about his loyalty, his dedication or his sense of professionalism, and that was reinforced in what could have been his last draft for the Canucks...Over the next few days, Delorme's future with the Canucks will be decided and indications are that both he and members of his staff will be replaced by new general manager Mike Gillis."

"The Canucks have an interest in Malone and could well land him as an unrestricted free agent on July 1 or shortly thereafter, a time which his agent Mike Liut insists he and his client will get to unless their first-choice destination makes a deal with Pitt and chokes them with money. And maybe that's Vancouver, but likely he goes to the highest bidder among his top five destinations."

"So, set against this backdrop where the wildest rumours can spread like ebola, you might disregard the intelligence that has the Vancouver Canucks trying to trade the Sedins, especially when general manager Mike Gillis says: "We're not actively trying to trade the Sedins in any form." But we can tell you this: On Thursday, three different NHL sources -- two from the Western Conference and one from the East -- said the twins are available and their agent, J.P. Barry said: "Based on everything I've read the last couple of months, I wouldn't be surprised [if they're moved].""

"The hottest gossip here Thursday on the eve of the annual draft lottery was that Canuck general manager Mike Gillis was pitching and fielding offers for the 27-year-old wondertwins, who have led Vancouver in scoring the last two years and are eligible for unrestricted free agency after next season. "I've heard it from three different people since I arrived in Ottawa," one NHL executive said. "Word is if you want in on the twins you better move fast because Ottawa's talking to them.""

"The Vancouver Canucks may be in desperate need of top prospects to push their veterans but that doesn't mean new general manager Mike Gillis is hell bent on adding a young up-and-comer this weekend. Gillis, just two months into the job and about to run his first NHL entry draft, said yesterday that he would trade the team's first-round selection, 10th over all, for a top-six forward. That statement, and the hiring of Ryan Walter as an assistant coach yesterday, is leading many to conclude that the Gillis era is about to get under way in earnest over the next couple of weeks, with a draft and free agency period looming."

"Markus Naslund on his decision to play at least one more season in the NHL: "It was not a hard decision to make with a little distance to everything. I feel very motivated to continue playing in NHL." Is Swedish club team Modo an option?: "No. I want to continue playing over there [NHL], but for which club is far from done." On what he's seeking next NHL season: "Money is not most important to me, I prioritize the social part, what type of hockey the team plays and which type of players they have. To play for another club in the same division would feel weird. But we will have to wait and see what happens. As I said before, most important is the social part and that they play a ..."