Sundin, whose number is likely to hang from the rafters of the Air Canada Center one day, spent 13 seasons in Toronto becoming the all-time leading scorer of the NHL's most storied franchise but his departure was awkward and strained, polarizing this hockey mad city.
Radio shows, blogs and internet chat rooms have been buzzing for weeks about Sundin's homecoming, which is sure to provide the highlight of Hockey Day in Canada.
But whatever the reception, it is unlikely to fluster the big Swede, who exudes the same calm, cool demeanour as his tennis playing countrymen Bjorn Borg or Stefan Edberg.
"I haven't thought about it but Toronto was my home for 13 years, so it's going to feel like coming home and a lot of emotions," Sundin told Reuters after a recent game.
"There's always going to be a place in my heart for the Toronto Maple Leafs but I represent the Vancouver Canucks and I'm very excited.
"Obviously it's going to be a very emotional game. I'm very excited and I'll be very nervous."
Sundin's long-standing love affair with Toronto sports fans hit the rocks last year when the rebuilding Leafs attempted to deal their captain at the trade deadline in return for what would have been an attractive package of draft picks and prospects.
But Sundin scuppered any deals when he refused to waive his no trade clause, then drew the wrath of some fans who were left feeling betrayed when he decided not to return to Toronto and signed with Vancouver Canucks.
"I was put in a position I didn't want to be in," Sundin told a Toronto radio station Friday ahead of his much anticipated return. "For me personally, I felt that we still had a chance to make the playoffs (last year).
"As captain of the team, (I believed) jumping the ship wasn't the right thing to do."
Sundin's decision to sign on with Vancouver in December was partially based on the belief that the Canucks would provide the 17-year veteran with an opportunity to win a championship and put his name on the Stanley Cup.
After a slow start, the 38-year-old center finally seems to be finding his fitness and familiarity with his new team mates collecting six goals and six assists in 17 games.
"My only focus right now is the Vancouver Canucks and having as good as a season as we can by making the playoffs," he said.
