Mats Sundin will not participate in 2010 Olympics; Sweden Has Enough Firepower
Thursday, June 25, 2009Veteran forward Mats Sundin told media that he has decided that he will not be playing in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The Swedish captain and Canuck explained that his role on the team was over and it was about time somebody else stepped up and took the reigns as Captain.
"There will be no Olympics in Vancouver for me next year," Sundin was quoted as saying Sunday on the Swedish newspaper Expressen's website. "I will not change my mind," Sundin told the newspaper. "I think it's time that the next generation takes over. We have many good players."
Can't really argue with that quote considering the likes of Zetterberg, the Sedin twins, and Daniel Alfredsson are on Team Sweden as well. It is no secret that Sweden has been churning out quality players since the mid-90s. Scandinavia in general has produced a number of decent players in recent years and doesn't look like it is halting.
With the 2009 NHL Draft coming up, we see this trend continuing with puck-moving defenseman Victor Hedman. Competing for the top spot with John Tavares, Hedman may very well beat out the Canadian prodigy for #1. Though the Islanders have been mum about their first choice, the entire hockey fanbase is banking on the team to nab Tavares. I'm really not sure why they wouldn't, but GM Garth Snow has been quite secretive about the whole ordeal. Whether he picks Hedman or Tavares, it is bound to be an exciting draft day!
