What Will Mats Sundin Bring the Canucks?

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One day after Mr. Canuck, Trevor Linden, was honoured by the team and its fans, former Toronto Maple Leafs star Mats Sundin has signed with the Vancouver Canucks.  Although Sundin's jersey will never hang from the rafters of GM Place, he is a sure Hall of Famer and if he plays up to the standard he has set during his career he will be an asset to the team.

First of all, he becomes the Canucks first line centre.  This has the added bonus of pushing the Sedins (Henrik and Daniel) to the second line, where they will likely excel.  The twins have always been a 1B first line, so playing against lesser opponents as the second line will likely increase their numbers and make them more effective. With Sedins as two-thirds of a second line, the Canucks will finally have four lines instead of a 1B first line, a jumbled second line, a third line and fourth line.  The Ryan Kessler-Alex Burrows third line should continue to shine as their secondary scoring and stellar defensive play should help the team further.

Who will Sundin play with?  He will likely see time with Pavol Demitra and possibly Mason Raymond.  Kyle Wellwood could also be re-united with the big Swede even though he is a natural centre.  Steve Bernier and Taylor Pyatt could get a chance with Sundin, but their ice time could diminish as a result of the signing even though they are wingers.

Sundin added to the power play and the penalty kill should make the special teams units better.  How about a Detroit Red Wing-style Swedish power play unit? Sundin-Sedin-Sedin-Mattias Ohlund-Alex Edler.

There is some fear that a 37-year-old Mats Sundin could run out of steam at any time and the Canucks record signing could become a repeat of a previous free agent plunge: Mark Messier.  However, Sundin's numbers have remained consistent and strong over the past few years.  And unlike Messier, he has never won the Stanley Cup, which -- even with the size of his contract -- makes him hungry.  Also with Vancouver hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, Sundin would likely enjoy playing for his native Sweden in front of a home crowd that adores him (Even though they will adore Team Canada more).

At the end of the day, Sundin's contribution should make the Canucks a better team, but the squad's ultimate success will still depend on the health and play of the Captain and All-Star goalie Roberto Luongo.