SPORTSNET.CA

A brief meeting in Los Angeles won't lead to any formal talks between Mats Sundin and the Vancouver Canucks until the 37-year-old unrestricted free agent decides if he wants to continue his NHL career, Canucks GM Mike Gillis said Friday.

Mike Gillis told the Team 1040 in Vancouver Friday that he merely said hello to Sundin, who watched the Canucks 4-0 win over the Kings at the Staples Centre.

Sundin has been in southern California since last week and has been visiting a fitness trainer.

Gillis, who offered Sundin a two-year, $20 million deal this past summer, said while he is still interested in Sundin, he was proceeding cautiously.

"I've been through this on the other side and I haven't seen one situation where teams have put tremendous pressure on an elite player where that has worked out for them," GIllis told the radio station. "I think when you get to the status of being considered one of the top players in the league for a long time, you're entitled to make sure you want to keep playing this game at the highest level before you make a decision.

"We've been in constant contact with JP Barry (Sundin's agent). We understand all the issues. We've been completely apprised of all the issues and until Mats makes up his mind that he's definitely going to play, I don't see any sense in putting pressure on him. I think all it would do is drive him away from a potential opportunity for us and we're determined not to do that."