Still no slip of the tongue from Sundin

Mats Sundin may have been showing flashes of brilliance on the golf course in his native Sweden, but the veteran centre showed no signs of making a decision on his playing future in the National Hockey League.

In an exclusive interview with Sportsnet while playing at a golf tournament hosted by Peter Forsberg in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Sundin once again refused to confirm whether he will retire or return for an 18th NHL season.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Sundin said. “I think sometime in August I hope to come to a conclusion on what I’m going to do — if I’m going to play or not this year.”

Sundin still weeks from making decision

Mats Sundin has told a Swedish newspaper that he still has not decided where — or if — he will play this coming season, despite reports that he is close to signing with the Vancouver Canucks.

Ducks pluck Morrison from Canucks

The Wire:NHL Rumours, News THE CANADIAN PRESS

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Brendan Morrison had more lucrative offers elsewhere but the chance to win in Anaheim with former Vancouver GM Brian Burke was too good to pass up.

Sabres grab Rivet from Sharks for picks

BUFFALO — The Buffalo Sabres have added some depth to their blue-line.

The NHL team acquired defenceman Craig Rivet and a seventh-round draft pick from the San Jose Sharks on Friday for a pair of second-round choices.

Coyotes lure FA Hale from Flames

Hale, 27, recorded two assists and 46 penalty minutes (PIM) in 58 regular season games with the Calgary Flames last season. He also appeared six playoff games for Calgary.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Hale began the 2006-07 season with New Jersey and appeared in 43 games for the Devils before being traded to Calgary on Feb. 27, 2007. Following the trade, he played in 11 regular season games and two playoff contests for Calgary.

Blues acquire Mason from Predators

OTTAWA — The St. Louis Blues have acquired goaltender Chris Mason from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a fourth-round pick in Friday’s draft.

Mason, 32, played in a career-high 51 games for the Predators last season, posting a 2.90 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage.

Leafs sign Stapleton from Finnish League

Stapleton, 25, spent the past two seasons playing for Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League. In 2007-08, he recorded a team-high 29 goals and he was second-best in both assists (33) and points (62) while playing in 55 games for head coach Doug Shedden. This past season he placed fifth in Finnish Elite League scoring and second in goals.

Wings one win away from another Cup

PITTSBURGH — The Detroit Red Wings are one win away from the Stanley Cup.

Fourth-liner Jiri Hudler got the game-winning goal 2:26 into the third period and Red Wings veterans Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg shone in a 2-1 victory on Saturday night that pushed the gifted young Pittsburgh Penguins to the brink of elimination.

Concussion keeps Franzen from Game 5

DETROIT — Detroit centre Johan Franzen will miss his fourth straight game when the Red Wings face Dallas in Game 5 of the Western Conference final Saturday.

Detroit general manager Ken Holland says Franzen has been cleared for light workouts. But Holland says Franzen would need to practise with the team for a few days before returning to the lineup.

Wings one win away from trip to final

DALLAS — This is how ridiculously good the Detroit Red Wings are playing: They lose the NHL’s top scorer this post-season and their regular-season scoring leader steps up with the first hat trick of his entire career while one of his linemates scores a demoralizing short-handed goal.

Pavel Datsyuk scored twice in the first period and again with 2:41 left, and Henrik Zetterberg added two assists and the short-hander, sending Detroit past the Dallas Stars 5-2 Monday night for a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.