The Canucks finally dipped into the deep end of the free agency pool with a two-year, $8-million contract for Pavol Demitra on July 10, but the reality is the aging forward's impact on the offense will depend largely on Mats Sundin.

As Demitra said during an introductory conference call with the Vancouver press, his declining numbers last season in Minnesota—15 goals were the fewest of any full NHL and 58 points his lowest total since 2000—were a direct result of playing center instead of the wing in a defense-first Wild system.

"I like to play all over the ice and make passes and score," Demitra said. "In Minnesota, the center position is to stay high and be the first guy down low on defense. ...More