New Canuck Sundin likely to debut wednesday night

After 17 NHL seasons where he became the face of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mats Sundin is likely to make his debut in a Vancouver Canucks jersey on Wednesday night.  Sundin signed with the Canucks as a free agent in mid-December and is hoping to take the ice for the first time with his new team as they play the Oilers in Edmonton.

Sundin joined the Canucks in Vancouver on December 30 and has only participated in two full practices with the team.  Still, the 37 year old center was optimistic about getting back on the ice:

"If nothing changes until tomorrow morning I think it should be a good chance I'll play tomorrow. If not, then obviously Friday at home against St. Louis.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Sundin is realistic and recognizes the importance of making sure he’s physically ready for the rigors of NHL hockey:

"Of course, you're looking forward to get back playing the game. But at the same time I want to make sure I'm ready physically so I can stay in the lineup and not come back too quick and get hurt."

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, however, suggested that the only way to work off any “rink rust” is to get back in the game:

"Tomorrow hopefully will be his first game of what we are all hoping is going to be a successful run here. The only way to get him to the pace the NHL is at right now is to put him in and put him in gradually and let him work through the little inactivity."

The 6-foot-5 Sundin has 555 goals and 766 assists in 1,305 career games. He joins a Canucks team currently in 2nd place in the very competitive NHL Northwest Division with 47 points.  Vancouver is 5 points behind the first place Calgary Flames, but the rest of the division—Minnesota, Edmonton and Colorado—are all within 6 points of the Canucks.