SPORTSNET.CA
It appears Mats Sundin will have plenty of options should he decide to return to the National Hockey League next season.
Sundin's agent, JP Barry, told the Team 1040 radio station in Vancouver on Wednesday that as many as six NHL clubs are interested in signing the veteran centre.
"The number has gone up, not gone down since July 1st," Barry told Team 1040. "The other three (NHL teams) would like not to be discussed as much publicly because it just provides more scrutiny."
While the Red Wings were thought to be one of the clubs chasing Sundin's signature, Barry confirmed that Detroit is not one of the teams legitimately interested.
"There are other teams that have said, 'We're that interested in a short-term, one-to-two year deal. We just want to let you know that if you give us some time, we'll make room.'
"So I don’t think the demand will slow down if he takes longer. I think there's enough teams out there interested in his services that it's kind of a unique situation."
According to Barry, Sundin is in no rush to make a final decision on his playing future.
"He's still taking his time, and he hasn't given us an indication or not if he's going to keep playing or not," Barry said. "You know, when he was speaking in Sweden about August, unfortunately a lot of people picked up 1st of August. He meant August. He meant sometime in August he would definitely decide because he'll definitely be in training camp."
The Vancouver Canucks have admitted to being one of the clubs interested in signing Sundin. Shortly after the July 1 signing period began, Vancouver tabled a two-year, $20-million offer to the 37-year-old unrestricted free agent.
Sundin also hasn't ruled out a return to the Toronto Maple Leafs, for whom he has played the past 13 seasons, 11 as captain. This past season he became the franchise's career leader in goals and points, but had to invoke his no-trade clause when the team asked if it could trade him. The Leafs, on their way to missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, hoped to deal Sundin for some good prospects rather than have him walk away as a free agent.
