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Sundin’s debut helps Vancouver to victory

Mats Sundin made his long anticipated debut for the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday as his new National Hockey League club posted a win with the Swedish star in its lineup.

Sundin's debut helps Vancouver to victory

Steve Bernier scored two goals in a 12-second span in the second period, leading the Canucks to a 4-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers.

Bernier also had an assist, Alexandre Burrows netted a goal and set up two others and Ryan Kesler added a pair of assists for Vancouver.

Sundin, meanwhile, was eased into the lineup during his first game with the Canucks.

He played for less than 12 minutes, but joined fellow Swedes Daniel and Henrik Sedin on a pair of power-play chances.

Sundin, who spent the previous 13 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, became free agent and spent the offseason dithering about his future before finally signing with Vancouver on December 18.

Sundin chose the Canucks, who originally offered him a $20 million contract on July 1, over the New York Rangers.

“Of course, it’s going to be a strange feeling,” Sundin said as he looked forward to his first game in almost nine months.

“I think every player who has been traded or moved around realizes it’s part of our game. It’s a part of the business that sometimes is not that much fun but I’m really happy to be a part of the Vancouver Canucks.”

The nine-time All-Star’s tenure in Toronto ended on a sour note when the Maple Leafs’ longtime captain declined to waive his no-trade clause last season.

The 37-year-old was criticized for blocking a possible trade that could have helped the Maple Leafs build for the future.

Sundin, who had 32 goals and 78 points last season, spent the majority of Wednesday’s game centering the second line between former teammate Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond.

HOCKEY

Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin first overall pick in NHL draft

Rasmus Dahlin became just the second Swedish-born player to be selected first overall in the NHL draft on Friday when the Buffalo Sabres used the top pick on the rangy teenage defenceman.

Sweden's Rasmus Dahlin first overall pick in NHL draft
Rasmus Dahlin is bound for Buffalo. Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images/AFP
Dahlin, who plays for Frolunda HC in the Swedish league and was widely expected to be the first pick, follows Mats Sundin, who was the top choice of the Quebec Nordiques in 1989.
 
“I just want everything to start,” Dahlin said. “I'm going to bring everything I have to that city. I'm super excited. I can't wait.”
 
Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov went second to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens used the third pick to get Finnish centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
 
The draft had a decided Europe flavour as four of the top six players were Europeans. The first American was Brady Tkachuk who went to the Ottawa Senators at No. 4 and the Phoenix Coyotes took the first Canadian Barrett Hayton with the fifth pick. 
 
The 18-year-old Dahlin said he was happy to call Buffalo home despite the fact they haven't had a winning season in the past seven seasons and have missed the playoffs eight years in a row.
 
“It's amazing to finally put on the Buffalo Sabres' jersey,” Dahlin said. “I've been there twice. I love that city.”
 
The six-foot-three, 185-pound Dahlin was honoured as the best defenceman at the 2018 world junior championship in Buffalo, registering six assists in seven games. He also played twice for Sweden as a 17-year-old at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
 
At number six, the Detroit Red Wings chose the brash Halifax Mooseheads winger Filip Zadina who vowed to make teams that passed on him pay down the road.
 
“I'm telling my agent if they will pass on me, I will fill their net with the puck,” the Czech Zadina said. “Yeah, it's just I want to prove to them that they have done a bad decision.”
 
The lone trade of the day came before the draft when the Colorado Avalanche acquired backup goalie Philipp Grubauer and defenceman Brooks Orpik from the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for the 47th pick. The Capitals were willing to get rid of Orpik and Grubauer so they could create salary cap space to sign free agents.