Mats Sundin and the Sedin Twins?

Mats Sundin's days spent in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey are over. Sundin is now a Canuck. (AP Images)"]

Chalk one up for the Vancouver Canucks, who were successful in ending all rumors that the former Toronto Maple Leafs caption was going to sign on with the New York Rangers. The NHL's Nortwest Divsion leaders made it official Thursday afternoon that they have secured a one-year deal for with Mats Sundin.

“I thought we were going to get him from the first day I spoke to him,” Canucks GM Mike Gillis said at a news conference Thursday at General Motors Place. “We were unwavering in our position... I am really excited to have a player of this stature believing in what we are doing here.”

Sundin is expected to join the Canucks on December 27th, but is currently at home in Sweden for the holidays. As to which lineup he'll join when he does lace up for the first time with his new team, it is believed that he will play alongside Pavol Demitra and former Toronto linemate Kyle Wellwood.

Still, one has to wonder how he feels about heading out to the West Coast after spending so much time out East. Or was it more important that he stay in Canada...?

"It was definitely a factor," Sundin said. "I spent my whole NHL career in Canada, it has been my home for over 13 years, I enjoy living in Canada, and knowing Vancouver has a great hockey franchise, great hockey fans, that’s an environment I like. I know I enjoy that kind of atmosphere."

Can the Canucks win the Nortwest Division? Will Sundin make a big difference in Vancouver?

According to a fan poll on NHL.com, the answer to both questions is a resounding "yes". Over 65% of the votes received think the Canucks can take the division title, and 73% of the fans polled figure he'll make a big difference on a team that is still looking for its first Stanley Cup.

At the Bodog Sportsbook, the Vancouver Canucks are currently at 20/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup. If you're looking for value you may want to jump on those odds now.

Bodog's got all your NHL hockey odds!