With Mats Sundin officially a member of the Canucks, GM Mike Gillis can focus on making his team even better as the season progresses.
According to the Vancouver Sun, Sundin accepted less than the one-year, $10 million deal he was offered and will earn closer to $9 million on a pro-rated deal, which works out to roughly $5.2 million that he actually takes to the bank.
"We left some money on the table so Vancouver could pursue other players," Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, told the Sun. "That's been part of the discussion. The way they've managed the cap, they feel they can go out and acquire another top-end player."
Sundin decided to sign with the Canucks after the New York Rangers were unable to create the necessary cap space to add him to the roster. The Rangers wanted more time to make the required adjustments, but Sundin was no longer interested in prolonging his return to the NHL.
The 37-year-old is expected to join the Canucks on Dec. 27 and play shortly after that date.
Adding Sundin's pro-rated salary to their cap, the Canucks have approximately $3 million to play with before hitting the $56.7 million max.
While the Canucks are not expected to make another significant move in the near future, they do have the room to add another top player by the March 4 trade deadline.
