This is all going to make his two-year deal with the Wings even harder for everyone.

Mats I guess a cup is not what your looking for!  Its all about $$$$$! I guess we were wrong about you. Topical athlete no championships but plenty of money.  Disgrace!

yes, sundin is a very topical athlete right now.  everyone is talking about him.

jeez, it’s not like he’s signing with nashville or the kings.  there is some small chance that the canucks can make the playoffs.

btw, found a somewhat better machine translation for you.  well maybe it’s just broken in a different way.

http://www.stars21.com/translator/swedish_to_english.html

New york Rangers wanted to have him, Detroit likewise. Probably half NHL also. But according to information to today’s news has Mats Sundin now certain himself traveled to extend his career, in an entirely other klubb. He leaves Toronto, the ice hockey’s capital, where he been bigger than the town’s mayors, for Vancouver, where he becomes law friend with among the other brothers Sedin.

A source to today’s news says following about Sundins situation:

- his agent in North america thanked no to KHL (the the Russian boozing era gang) with the justification that he is entirely clear for Vancouver. That he has typed on, why would he say so otherwise. He sheep of course a big sum money at a possible overgång here, the source says.

Sundins agent Claes Elefalk permits also that Sundin and klubben has contact.

- I spoke with Vancouver at the end yesterday (Friday) but that he would be clear is more than I know in that case, he says to DN direct from his vacation.

- I knew not even that he had taken beslutet to continue to play ice hockey, he continues.

How hot is Vancouver?
- they are extremely hot. They want to have him.

Mats Sundin is an of Swedish ice hockey bigest heroes over time. He has, along with Peter Forsberg, been the the biggest sign window for they blue and yellow during the last 15 years. Majority believed that he never would leave Toronto, where he was law captain in 13 years, and instead complete the career there. But the exclusive information that DN taken part of do now current that he continues his fantastic career, and that he does it in the Swede team Vancouver.

DN has in vain applied for Mats Sundin for a comment.

Bitterguy -- I think that’s a much cleaner translation. Thanks!

Greg - Don’t say such things! Sundin has caused me enough grief already without you floating freakin’ Wings jokes.

Playing for a Canadian Market team is where it’s at. Montreal is to close to home, Ottawa is the same issue. Calgary, and Edmonton are non-attractive markets, and bad places to live. Vancouver can be a cup contender with a few minor adjustments, and Sundin in the line up.

Roberto Luongo give the club the best chance at winning, night in and night out. Vancouver has NEVER had a top centre like Sundin, and is slowly adding a great supporting cast.

Dimetra playing with Sundin is an easy 30 goal producer. Sundin is a point a game player, and we’ve got 2 or 3 guys we can slot in for the third spot in the top line.

Vancouver for the past 3 years have had the Sedin twins as our number one line. They have averaged over 150 points a year together. Adding Steve Bernier to that mix makes one of the best second lines in the NHL. Remember these guys were also playing against team’s top defence, now they’re gonna get more room playing with the 2nd best. I am sure you’re going to see almost a point a game per this year.

Kesler, Burrows are probably players that fit in the top 10 best 3rd line in the NHL. Depends who plays with them Pyatt or Raymond, they’ll be putting up decent numbers as well.

I think with Sundin as a piece in the puzzle that is the Vancouver Canucks, there is a serious 2 year window. These guys can compete for the cup.

Jase from inner space.

Sent the link to a native swedish speaker.  His response:

“There’s no ambiguity there, it’s official.
A good time to be a Vancouverite, I suppose. Rejoice!!”

Of course, there’s still no guarantee that the article is accurate, but now we know what it says.

Google translations are hilarious.

I’d like to see Sundin keep playing.  His skills obviously haven’t dropped off all that much, Toronto has made pretty clear that they don’t want him around, and playing in Vancouver would avoid the awkwardness of returning to Toronto as a Canadien.

Plus the pay isn’t bad, either. 

yes, sundin is a very topical athlete right now.  everyone is talking about him.

lol

Jon - thanks so much for that. I’ve added your info to the updates in the post, to be sure people see it.

Calgary, and Edmonton are non-attractive markets, and bad places to live

damn… I hate it when people are right like this.  Even I want to move to a better hockey market!

Vancouver can be a cup contender with a few minor adjustments, and Sundin in the line up.

Man, I hope you’re right. Although facing Bobby Lou in the playoffs scares the bejeezus out of me, I’d love to have a friendly blog war within the Kukla empire.

For Sundin’s sake, I hope he isn’t Messier part duex.

I’m still cautious about this until it is official. His North American agent said Mats wouldn’t make a decision until the end of the month at the earliest. Maybe Mats’ fishing trip got him thinking about Orcas and shit.

So Sportsnet and TSN have not caught wind of this yet either. Gotta love us bloggers, huh? Quick to the draw!

PS, I thought I had a head start on this story, Alanah. I even cropped that Sundin image as you did. Then I did a blog search on Sundin and saw that you found this story hours ago! HA! I bow in your presence!

What the hell is a Russian boozing era gang?

If this is of any help.... A quick, not perfect, but as precise translation as possible, of the article in DN. Best wishes from Stockholm.

“2008-07-19

Sundin ready for Vancouver

He is Swedish hockey’s hottest transition. Mats Sundin is according to information received at Dagens Nyheter. - I talked with Vancouver yesterday, says “Sudden’s” agent Claes Elefalk.

New York Rangers wanted him, Detroit as well. Probably half of NHL. But according to information received at Dagens Nyheter, Mats Sundin has now decided to prolong his career in another club He’s leaving Toronto, the capital of ice-hockey, where he’s been bigger than the city’s mayor, for Vancouver, where he’ll be team-mate with among others the Sedin brothers.

A source says the following to Dagens Nyheter, about Sundin’s situation:

- His agent in North Amercia said no thanks to KHL (the Russian super league) with the reason that he is completely ready for Vancouver. That he has signed, why else would he say like that. He gets a big amount of money in the case of a possible transition here, says the source.

Sundin’s agent Claes Elefalk also admits that Sundin and the club are in contact.

- I spoke to Vancouver as late as yesterday (Friday), but that he would be ready is more than I know, in that case, he says to DN directly from his vacation.

- I didn’t even know he made the decision to continue playing ice-hockey.

How “hot” are Vancouver?

- They are extremely hot. They want him.

Mats Sundin is one of Swedish hockey’s greatest heroes through history. He has, together with Peter Forsberg, been the biggest “display window\” for the blu & yellow during the last 15 years. Many thought that he would never leave Toronto, where he was the captain of the team, and instead complete his career there. But the exclusive information which DN has been given, now claims that he will continue hos fantastic career, and that he will do it in the “Swede-team” Vancouver.

DN has in vain tried to reach Mats Sundin for a comment.”

come on, Sundin in vancouver,i realy dont think so,would be good for them,coz if no sundin,they would need a miracle for them to even be close to the play-off.
Here in montreal they all want him,but for me it would be to weird,,,,,ex-leafs,ex-NORDiques,doesn’t rime with good habs

Geezus… did someone say Messier Part Deux? Please, don’t EVER say that!

Sean - the “Russian boozing era gang” part is why I sorta love Google translations. (But Jeanette translates it as literally “the Russian Super League” - which makes me wonder how the “National Hockey League” translates from English to Swedish...)

Jeanette - Thank you very much for your trouble. I’m really glad to have a proper translation in front of us.  Much, much better!

Bow Gagnon = bitter Habs fan

Sundin is coming to NY

Sportbladet’s Andreas Lagnelius says that Claes Elefalk is denying the report:

Sundin’s agent denies move

After the report on a move to Vancouver - now Mats Sundin’s agent denies that something is clear/decided.

“There is nothing in these rumours,” says CAA Sports Claes Elefalk to HockeyExpressen.se.

According to information provided to the Daily News Mats Sundin should be consistent with the “Swedish Club” Vancouver Canucks on a contract.

“No substance”

The club has openly shown its interest in the Swedish star for a long time - but according to Sundin’s agent the information that the transition would be completed should be totally banned from the air.

“There is no substance in it at all.”

“Mats is still in the same position that he has been throughout the summer. He’s [on vacation] and has not yet decided whether he will continue to play or not,” said Elefalk.

Sounds like Daily News was going for a record day with website hits.

I dont see no reason though why Sundin wouldnt want to join the Canucks.... he would play with fellow countrymen,he wouldnt freeze his ass off from October till April and no Toronto media.
Both him and Sakic need to let their intentions be known already.

Ugh!
IMO, it is extremely unprofessional for that particular Swedish media to report anything of that magnitude without absolute confirmation.

As a tired & cynical Canucks fan, I have pretty much already given up hope for this team for the next half-decade and I hate that this type of sloppy journalism just jerks people around.

Are they that desperate for news?
I don’t doubt Sundin has ‘considered’ coming to Vancouver (for $20 million, who wouldn’t consider it?), but I seriously doubt he is that close to making a decision and I’m guessing he’s more likely to retire.

Does anyone have any idea how much Swedish players(or other European players for that matter) pay attention to the media (either local or North American)?  Is it as big over there as here?

Maybe DN’s source was Markus Naslund. Markus is just *#$%@& with us! Haha!

I asked—it turns out the source of this goes back to Russia.

does eklund now work at this swedish newspaper?

I thought that Eklund said that he wouldn’t touch this rumour with a ten-foot pole for some reason...maybe he didn’t want to a) upset a “trusted source” or b) reveal how the process of creating an unsubstantiated rumour takes place. 

Alanah got the glory of breaking it down to the rest of the hockey world instead.

Sundin is a Canuck. It’s a done deal and will be announced next Fri the 1st of Aug

Sundin is coming to Montreal.

No, wait…

Sundin is coming to Pittsburgh.

No.  Not really…

Sundin is coming to Detroit.

Oh really? 

Sundin is coming to Philadelphia.

Awesome!  No?!?!

Sundin is coming to the Iowa Chops!

w00t!!!  Yes!!!  I’m getting tickets to the Chops’ games.

Unbelievable.  The only tension in this story is when he comes out with his decision.  I’ve pretty much given up on whether or not he decides to play.  Whom he plays for is seemingly irrelevant now.

w00t!!!  Yes!!!  I’m getting tickets to the Chops’ games.

I hear that after every home game, Chops players chosen as one of the three stars will give replica sticks away to the fans while the organist plays… what else… Chopsticks!!! 

Sundin is coming to the Iowa Chops!

He could play on a line with Brett Favre. 

I wonder if any other minor-league hockey team has gotten this much publicity in the offseason.  Goofy, but good for them.