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The North American agent for Mats Sundin, above, denies a claimthat the centre will play play for the Vancouver Canucks nextseason. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

A Swedish newspaper has reported that Mats Sundin has agreed to adeal with the Vancouver Canucks, but the centre's North Americanagent has denied the claim.

J.P. Barry, Sundin's North American agent, has confirmed toCBCSports that the report by Dusan Umicevic in Sweden's Daily Newsis false.

In an interview with a Vancouver radio station earlier this week,Canucks general manager Mike Gillis expressed confidence thatSundin, who became an unrestricted free agent for the first time inhis career on July 1, would still accept the club's offer of atwo-year contract valued at $20 million US.

Sundin has been the subject of intense interest from several otherclubs including the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and theNew York Rangers. A return to the Toronto Maple Leafs also remainsan option.

The Swede has posted 555 goals and 766 assists for 1,321 points in1,305 NHL games with Toronto and the Quebec Nordiques. He wasselected first overall by Quebec in the 1989 draft and traded toToronto five years later.

Sundin, 37, has yet to play in a Stanley Cup final. He earned $5.5million last season on a one-year deal that included a no-tradeclause.

Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher had given Montreal andthe New York Rangers permission to talk to Barry prior to July 1 inhopes of working out a deal.

The Vancouver offer would make Sundin the highest-paid player inthe NHL. Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh and Alexander Ovechkin ofWashington currently top next season's salary list at $9 million USapiece. With files from the Associated Press