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Sundin Saga Zigs & Zags **UPDATED WITH QUOTES 12:15pm (pst)**

July 20, 2008, 11:45 AM ET [ Comments]

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UPDATE (original piece is below)


Recent quotes from the Swedish journalist who wrote the story ... written by a guy, Farhan Devji, whose credibility I trust implicitly.



Is Sundin Vancouver Bound?
by Farhan Devji

Late Saturday night, a story written by Dusan Umicevic – sports reporter of the leading Swedish daily morning newspaper, Dagens Nyheter (DN) – broke that Mats Sundin has indeed decided to accept Vancouver’s two year, $20 million offer.

The story suggests that J.P. Barry – Sundin’s North American agent – declined to negotiate with the KHL (new Russian league) on the grounds that the long time Maple Leaf is set on joining the Vancouver Canucks.

Claes Elefalk – Sundin’s Swedish based agent - was interviewed by the Swedish daily and acknowledged that he talked to the Canucks on Friday. Elefalk believes Vancouver was one of the front runners, but wasn’t aware of the new developments.

When contacted, the author of the piece, Dusan Umicevic, refused to reveal his source but suggested that “this man has never been wrong before.” Umicevic also admitted that he’s “built [his] whole career upon this person.”

Just like the entire Vancouver Canucks organization and all of its supporters, Umicevic is hoping that his source won’t fail him now.

“Sure, this could be his first [blemish], but I hope not, because my reputation lies on this,” said Umicevic. “But I think [Mats] will speak soon. I think Vancouver is the right team for him.”

Television stations in Sweden are reporting that Sundin will join the Canucks, but none of the leading hockey news sites – in Sweden or North America - have picked up on the story as of yet.

Another source stated that judging solely on the reliability of the newspaper in which the story was published, he is convinced that Sundin will be a Canuck in the near future.

UPDATE: I can now also confirm that the author’s source is indeed one close to the the Kontinental Hockey League (new elite Russian league). The source has correctly predicted several signings including Jaromir Jagr to Avangard Omsk, Nils Ekman to Khimik, Andreas Johansson to SKA Saint Petersburg, and Mika Hannula to HC CSKA Moscow.

Farhan Devji is the author of a fictional hockey based novel, “The Hockey Farmer.” For more information, visit thehockeyfarmer.ca.tp.



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Original Blog this morning ...


With plenty of speculation that Sundin's decision will be coming sooner than August last night things really heated up with "reports" in the Swedish Press saying that he will be signing here in Vancouver. Many people have been stating as fact (or just repeating) TSN saying August over and over, and in reality that was Dreger's opinion only the day that Sundin gave his "thanks" announcement.

The original Article by Dagens Nyheter, supposedly a very credible Swedish paper was also picked up by Aftonbladet whose sports writers are very respected (more than the rest of the tabloid). If a reputable Newspaper goes ahead and publishes after being told the info is wrong, that should mean they are very confident in their source (Russian Team Executive?) one would think.

I became aware of the piece late last night and waited to post it in a Blog until TSN's report this morning as I wasn't even sure of the validity of the links that got you to the original story.



The Swedish Article translated:


Sundin clear for Vancouver

he is Swedish ice hockey hotest transition. Mats Sundin is according to information to today's news clear for Vancouver. - I spoke with Vancouver yesterday, says “the smears'” agent Claes Elefalk.

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.



TSN's Article this morning:



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.

Earlier this week, Canucks general manager Mike Gillis discussed the Sundin situation on a Vancouver radio station, stating he was encouraged to continue an on-going dialoge with Sundin and that he is still confident that Sundin would accept the Canucks' two-year, $20 million contract.

Sundin's agent J.P. Barry confirmed the Canucks' interest, however he stated that his client would take his time in making a decision, which would likely occur sometime in late July or early August.

"The Vancouver offer and the time that Mike (Gillis) has spent with Mats is important," Barry told TSN. "But ultimately Mats has to decide to play and that is the first step here."






As well, apparently Swedish TV station TV4 repeated this morning during their morning sports news the report of Sundin going to Vancouver.

The TSN article says that the agent told the author that his information wasn't right ... the only other thing he could really say to the original Swedish journalist, imo, is "no comment" which is almost always a yes. He may have been saying what he said as he had no choice because he would never confirm it until Sundin said so and/or until the contract is actually signed. This report (TSN) to me really means nothing either way ... am I in denial? LOL!

Another thing, and it's a stretch but sorta relevant(?), is that the Demitra's signing was "broken" first in Europe days before here and there were similar denials from his agent.

I think we could be possibly may hear his decision as soon as tomorrow.

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