SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - A Swedish newspaper has reported that Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin has agreed to a deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

The story, as reported by Dusan Umicevic in the Daily News, has been denied by Sundin's Swedish-based representative, Claes Elefalk, according to TSN.ca.

Sundin became an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career on July 1 and has been the subject of intense interest from several clubs.

The Canucks offered Sundin a two-year, $20-million US contract and the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers were also among those pursuing the centre.

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

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

Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher had given Montreal and the New York Rangers permission to talk to Sundin's North American-based agent, J.P. Barry, prior to July 1 in hopes of working out a deal.

The Vancouver offer would make Sundin the highest-paid player in the NHL. Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh and Alexander Ovechkin of Washington currently top next season's salary list at $9 million US apiece.

With files from the Associated Press

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