The Sporting News reports that the Vancouver Canucks, in addition to pursuing Forsberg, are interested in veteran all-stars Jaromir Jagr, Mat Sundin, and Olli Jokinen. 

See NHL trade deadline will produce big deals

Jagr and Jokinen are very unlikely. Jagr is too expensive and moody; Florida wants to keep Jokinen if they can.

Mats Sundin is a potential interest and a superb fit for the Canucks. The Maple Leafs are all but officially eliminated from the playoffs – 6 points out of the last spot occupied by Boston, and the Bruins have two games in hand. Count it as 10 points because the Leafs will continue to falter. As such, the Leafs want to move him and want young prospects in return: namely a goaltending prospect.

The Canucks are willing to part with young goalie prospect Corey Schneider. But the Leafs will want more – probably speedy and talented center Ryan Kessler. Canucks GM Dave Nonis does not however want to part with Kessler for what could turn out to be a rental in Sundin. Maybe, maybe, the Leafs would accept Alex Burrows or Brendan Morrison and a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick, but it all depends on the competing offer from Detroit.

The Red Wings want Sundin, and they might be the most likely and intriguing fit for the aging superstar. The Senators want him, but Sundin will never agree to a move to arch-nemesis Ottawa (more on his no-trade clause in a moment). The Ducks want him, but would have trouble making the salary cap work and would have to give up more than GM Brian Burke is prepared to deal. Montreal wants him, but would have to give up goaltender Price or Halak and they likely won’t for a possible short-term rental.

That leaves Vancouver and Detroit to battle for the Leafs captain. It depends on who has the best offer, but more importantly, where Sundin is prepared to move to. Sundin does not want to leave Toronto. It has been his home for more than 13 years. He doesn’t want to move he and his family unnecessarily. However, time is running out on the aging veteran who turns 37 tomorrow. And he would like one legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup in his career.

If the offer is in place from the Red Wings, the only place Mats will agree to move is Detroit. The MotorCity is only a 4 hour drive from home (Vancouver is half  a world away), and the Red Wings are the odds-on favourite to win the Cup. It also features a line-up with many of his Swedish pals, such as Zetterberg, Holmstrom and Lidstrom.

Vancouver can make the offer to entice the Leafs, but Sundin’s heart will likely only limit a move no further than down the road to Detroit.

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The Vancouver Canucks are sporting a new look: one of frugality and caution.

There was one over-arching need for the Vancouver Canucks this off-season – sign an offensive center man. This goal has not only been ignored, it’s been blatantly passed-over as the Canucks have contained their focus to role players and minor leaguers.

To date, the Canucks GM Dave Nonis has acquired the following new players:

G         Curtis Sanford              $600,000                     0 goals (2007)

G         Corey Schneider          $924,000 (2-way)        0 goals (2007)

LW      Brad Isbister                $525,000                     1 goal (2007)

C/W     Byron Ritchie              $625,000                     8 goals (2007)

W        Ryan Shannon              $550,000                     2 goals (2007)

D         Aaron Miller                $1,250,000                  0 goals (2007)

D         Zack Fitzgerald            $450,000                     0 goals (2007)

Wow. What an offensive output. What seven players, one center, no offensive center, and a grand total of 11 goals scored last year (divided by 7 players = 1.6 goals per player last year).

The Canucks will really challenge for the Cup this year.

Meanwhile, our top offensive player from last year’s playoffs, C/W Trevor Linden, and the most popular player in the history of the franchise – and one of the hardest working – remains ignored and unsigned.

Let’s rejoice with the acquisition of a new cadre sporting a 1.6 goals per player average… Nonis hasn’t delivered this kind of hope and hand-wringing since acquiring Keith Carney, Eric Weinrich, Sean Brown and Mikka Noranen.