Sportsnet.ca

Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told a Vancouver radio station that he is hopeful that the lure of the 2010 Vancouver Games would help entice Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin into accepting the two-year, $20-million contract offer the Canucks have on the table.

" What we have talked about is that if he (Sundin) were to play a couple more seasons, he would be the captain of the defending team in the Olympics in the town that he plays in, which we believe to be unprecedented, and may never be available to a player ever again." Gillis told the Team 1040 in Vancouver. "So we have talked about his captaincy of the Swedish Olympic team, but we haven't gone further than that at this point."

Recent reports stated Gillis had offered Sundin the Canucks captaincy but Gillis denied the story.

It's believed the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs have also offered Sundin two-year contracts but for less money.

Sundin, an unrestricted free agent, still hasn't decided whether he wants to play next year.

"I spent a great deal of time yesterday reflecting upon the teams who stepped forward and the opportunities that each provided," Sundin recently said in a statement. "Unfortunately, I am simply not close to being ready to make a decision about resuming my career at this time.

"I wish all the teams the very best and thank them for their interest."

-- with files from Sportsnet.ca columnist Pierre LeBrun