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Welcome back, Mats

January 6, 2009 06:20 PM | Posted by   Marc Crawford  

About eight years ago, former Toronto Maple Leaf, Mats Sundin, was involved in a memorable game in Pittsburgh.

Mario Lemieux, at age 35, was attempting a comeback after retiring for more than three seasons. On that late December night, Super Mario counted an assist just 33 seconds into the game.. I still remember Bob Cole’s call of the play culminating with “Can you believe it?”

Mario the Magnificent added a goal and another assist to finish with three points in the Penguins' victory. What he accomplished in the rest of the season was truly remarkable as he led the club to the Eastern Conference final.

Well Mats, while no one in their “right mind” should expect that type of heroics from you, no one ever said that hockey fans always display their “right mind”.

Expectations are, dare I say, super high, on the West Coast of Canada as Vancouver Canuck fans eagerly anticipate the debut of Mats Sundin this week.

Sundin will boost Canucks when ready

The Canucks have been treading water in the NHL’s Western Conference due to a rash of injuries and a very difficult first-half travel schedule. They sit in second place in the Northwest Division and comfortably in the playoffs at fifth place.

They have an extremely close group that demonstrates great chemistry both on the ice and off it. This is terrific for Sundin.

This veteran-laden team realizes that he will be an important piece of any success the Canucks have moving forward. Sundin understands that he needs to fit in to add to the group dynamics.

I am sure that he has spent many meals and hours getting to know his new teammates. I’ve heard him speak about how much he is looking forward to traveling with the team so that they all can spend that quality bonding time together.

It is the excitement of anticipation that I hear in Mats Sundin’s voice when he is interviewed that leads me to believe that he is truly ready to return.

You can’t fake that anticipation or excitement and it really comes across how much Mats has missed the game. There is a freshness to him right now after being away since last April. Sundin understands how special it is to play again in the NHL. That is why he is back.

Expectations are high, but pressure is off

So, when should he play? Mats knows.

He realizes he must guard against unnecessary injury by rushing into the lineup. He’s also a proud Viking who wants to play as well as he can for the Vancouver Canucks.

How should Alain Vigneault utilize him? Alain knows.

This Canuck group has depth. They have a terrific number-one line led by the Sedin twins, an excellent checking line lead by Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows, a great defence that is relatively healthy again this year, and toughness and character throughout its lineup. I haven’t even remarked about the depth the club now has in net and the impending return of superstar goalie Roberto Luongo.

Sundin can enter this lineup with the knowledge that he doesn’t need to lead them right away offensively, he doesn’t need to be the shut-down forward playing against the top player of the opposition. He doesn’t have to worry if this group is tough enough. He will not have to play 23-plus minutes a game, and, quite frankly, for the first time in many years he won’t need to lead his team at every single turn.

The scene is now set for Sundin as the anticipation rises in the lower mainland and throughout B.C., and while I don’t want to compare Mats to Mario, I also don’t want to miss his first shift back.

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