"Based on how Day 1 of free agency unfolded, it shouldn't be any surprise that Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis is talking seriously about trying to bring 38-year-old Mats Sundin back for another season.

The kind of eye-popping deals being signed over the course of the day, with the dollar figures and terms being thrown around, simply didn't fit with Gillis's salary cap management model.

With all the blue-chip forwards — both real and imagined — having been signed on Wednesday, it leaves the Canucks to look at other options. And, that's where Sundin comes in.

Some in Canucks Nation will be groaning at this prospect, but take a look at it from Gillis's perspective.

Sundin is a known quantity here, he's immensely respected in the dressing room, he's established some chemistry on the ice, and presumably he'd sign for less than the $5.36 million he received for half a season's work.

And, with the Sedins signed and playing with Alex Burrows, Sundin could slip right back in on the second unit with Ryan Kesler and Pavol Demitra and give the Canucks the same top-six forward set they had the last 30 games of the season. Keep in mind, the Canucks went 23-7-2 over the final 32 games of the regular season — a run that allowed them to catch Calgary and take the Northwest Division crown.

But another drawn-out soap opera similar to last season's Sundin Watch won't go down well with Canucks fans. Sundin dithered through a series of deadlines regarding his playing future for months before signing with Vancouver on Dec. 18.

Sundin's Calgary-based agent, J.P. Barry of CAA Sports, told The Province on Thursday from Stockholm that Sundin is currently on a fishing trip but that he expects to speak with him Friday. Barry said Sundin continues to mull over his playing future, but the agent said he doesn't expect a long process.

"I think this year he wants to make his decision by the end of July," said Barry. "He's getting married at the end of August, so he wants to have all of that out of the way."

Barry said he's already had "multiple calls" from other NHL teams regarding Sundin, but that his free agent client's good experience in Vancouver would give the Canucks a distinct advantage on a new deal."