Music: {allcanada} CANUCKS CONNECTION: NASLUND TARGETS PAHLSSON

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

{allcanada} CANUCKS CONNECTION: NASLUND TARGETS PAHLSSON

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The Vancouver Sun relays that former Canucks captain Markus Naslund is trying to lure centre Sammy Pahlsson back home to Sweden to play for Modo, according to a story on a Swedish website. Pahlsson, 34, finished this past season as a Canuck after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the NHL trading deadline. His contract has expired and he stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Naslund is Modo's general manager and the team plays in Ornskoldsvik, where Pahlsson has a house near Daniel Sedin's off-season home. According to the story, Naslund "makes no secret" he is interested in Pahlsson's services.

"At present, there is not much to say about my future," Pahlsson was quoting as saying in the translated article. "My family and I are thinking of going home but there is nothing that is clear. There are many pros and cons and it is a big decision to make. My wife and I have been living [in North America] for most of our adult lives. Meanwhile, we have family and friends back home in Sweden."

Pahlsson indicated he would like his future settled soon.

"I have to go past July 1and really I do not want to wait that long," he said. "I want to take a decision before then. We'll see if I do it. If I go home, I play with Modo. There is no other league club."

Pahlsson collected six points in 19 regular-season games with the Canucks and was a plus-4 while centring the team's third line. He had one goal in five playoff games.