Thornton’s hands would find Sedin’s nose on Wednesday night, as the Sharks’ captain continued to poke Sedin’s face in a rather obnoxious manner while the two players had a discussion with the referee between whistles.

And in case you were wondering, Joe’s hands would also help him find the back of the net during the game.  But his power-play goal in the second period wouldn’t be enough, as the Canucks escaped with the 3-2 overtime victory at the Shark Tank.

Mats Sundin – Pavol Demitra (Getting Injured)

= Mats Sundin playing for the Vancouver Canucks, at 2 years $20 million we have no clue why he did not jump on this when it was first offered.

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On the same day Mats Sundin’s training regimen for a possible return to the NHL was announced, the rehab regimen for Pavol Demitra was also revealed.

How is that for irony?

Demitra will be sidelined indefinitely after an MRI on Wednesday revealed rib damage he suffered Sunday in Chicago could sideline the Vancouver Canucks centre for at least a month.

The injury further magnifies the pursuit of Sundin, who has an adjustable two-year, $20-million-US offer from the Canucks, and several other serious suitors.

Demitra was hurt late in the second period a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks and was in considerable pain. He even had trouble getting out of bed, so Thursday’s announcement wasn’t surprising.

“The first [MRI] results back is that he’s got a fractured cartilage in his eighth rib,” said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. “He’s going to see a specialist [today] and right now we’re looking at three to four weeks.”

Demitra, 33, played just 11:25 against the Blackhawks and had a goal before leaving on what seemed like a harmless play.

“I was just reaching for a puck and all of a sudden I felt an unbelievable pain in my side,” said Demitra. “I’ve never had anything like this.”

Demitra has three points [2-1] in six games and is a minus-2. He signed a two-year, $8 million US deal and was to be the catalyst to power a second line with Mason Raymond and Taylor Pyatt. But that has all now changed.

The loss of the Demitra also means more playing time for the recalled Kyle Wellwood and Jason Krog — especially on the 29th-ranked power play that has been revamped — and more pressure for the veteran core to produce.

Meanwhile, winger Darcy Hordichuk has recovered from a slight left knee strain suffered Sunday and should play Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. He will wear a brace because he also injured the knee last season with Nashville.

Defenceman Sami Salo skated on his own Thursday and is listed as day-to-day with a groin strain.

He took the morning skate in Chicago but didn’t play. Forward Rick Rypien remains sidelined with a virus.

Source: Canada.com

Mats is coming back to the NHL very soon, we will just all have to wait and see who that will be with. Lips are sealed and nothings getting out. Hopefully he doesn’t make the wrong the decison and come back to the Leafs. Go to a contender where you can end your career on a high note, the Habs, Red Wings, or the Rangers are his best bet to win the Stanley Cup.

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Mats Sundin has taken the first step toward a return to the NHL.

The 37-year-old free-agent centre underwent a physical exam at a Toronto hospital yesterday — necessary to begin a rigorous period of training to continue his hockey career.

Sundin, who spent the past 13 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, returned to the city last week and soon is expected to travel to Los Angeles to begin a two-week on-ice training stint.

It is believed that after those two weeks are up, he will begin talking to NHL teams to determine the best fit for him. Mats Sundin underwent a physical exam at a Toronto hospital yesterday – necessary to begin a rigorous period of training to continue his hockey career.

Sundin said last month he won’t decide on where he wants to play until he figures out whether he wants to return for an 18th NHL season. He wants to play only one more season, but could change his mind.

At the earliest, Sundin could return next month. But the longer he waits, the more options he would have as his contract would be prorated and therefore less of a burden to teams that have to unload salary to make room for him.

His agent, J.P. Barry, said recently that he believes Sundin will play in 2008-09, but not likely return until December. Barry said yesterday he “cannot comment at this time” about the situation.

Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher said he hasn’t talked with Sundin since Sept. 5, when the Swede was in Toronto to participate in a charity hockey game. Fletcher said yesterday’s physical was not set up through the Leafs.

Even though Fletcher has salary-cap room and has left the door open for a possible return by Sundin, the talented centre has several options.

For Sundin, who has scored 555 goals and 766 assists in 1,305 regular-season games with Toronto and the Quebec Nordiques, it is not about the money.

Instead, he desires a situation he’s comfortable with. Otherwise, he would have signed the lucrative $20-million (U.S.), two-year offer the Vancouver Canucks tossed his way on July 1, when he became an unrestricted free agent.

“I expect other teams to get involved to complicate the situation [for Toronto and Vancouver],” one NHL GM said. “But I don’t see any teams with any money to spend [and stay under the salary cap].”

The Canucks, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens have admitted their interest in Sundin in recent months.

Read The Rest Of The Article: Globe Sports