By Ian Mendes in Stockholm, Sweden
Sportsnet.ca
Mats Sundin received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd at The Globe Arena in Stockholm when he dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off on Saturday night.
And the Swedish icon admits that the buzz of participating in the NHL's season opener between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins might get him thinking about playing again.
"It's going to be fun to watch the game and it will throw some sparks on the fire for sure," Sundin admitted prior to Saturday's game.
The longtime Leafs captain, who has yet to announce his future plans, says he will have to make a decision in the near future if he does plan on returning this season.
"Obviously I need to make a decision in the next couple of months if I'm going to play or not this year, there's no doubt about that," he added. "I'm just trying to figure out if I'm playing this year or not. We'll see how the next few weeks goes by if I can come to decision to play."
The 37-year-old did not discuss where he might play in 2008-09 if he decides to come back. At this point, his number one goal is deciding if his body can handle the rigors of an NHL season.
"I want to make sure that physically and mentally I can compete at this level. If I can build the work level to play in the NHL, then I will."
