Sundin Sets Timeline

Well, with big Mats setting a time frame for late July or early August, us Habs fans will soon know if we are the Habs, or the HabNots. I am still confident that Sundin will come to his senses and realize that Vancouver isn't going anywhere, the Leafs will suck just like every other year, and that he doesn't need money, so his chances of winning a cup, and playing in the post season, are greatly increased if he decides to play with the Canadiens.

Gainey has assembled a team that has youth, and would benefit tremendously from a seasoned veteran with a strong work ethic. Can you imagine a powerplay with Sundin, Kovalev, and one of the Kostitsyn's? Talk about talent and power. When was the last time Sundin had a guy like Kovalev to play with on the wing?

The Habs and Sundin are a perfect fit and if he does sign, Montreal will definitely be battling it out for top in the Eastern Conference again. Lets all hope and pray, and wait, till Magical Mats makes up his mind.

Gainey on his to Swedem - Sundin on his way to Montreal?

Well, Bob Gainey is on his way to Sweden to see if he can convince the talented Mats Sundin to join the Montreal Canadiens. He has until the July 1st deadline to make the signing before the other NHL clubs can make offers to Sundin.

Gainey is going to be convincing Mats why Montreal is a good fit Sundin and why Sundin is a good fit for Montreal. I am sure the fact of a spring Playoff run is something that Sundin would like to enjoy as it seems like ages ago the last time Mats laced up the laces in the post-season.

I give it a 50/50 chance for Sundin to join the Habs. I suspect it to happen by the end of the week if in fact it is ever going to happen. Until then, lets all sit back and cross our fingers, hands, arms, legs, toes, eyes, and anything else that is crossable.

Tanguay a Hab, Sundin on the Way?

Well, I guess we all know that Alex Tanguay is now officially a Montreal Canadien, with all the rumours around the trade deadline that he was on the way here, I guess he is finally here. For a guy that has produced top notch numbers consistently in the NHL, he should be a much needed forward for adding some punch, especially in even strength situations.

The other thing that is heating up is the Sundin talk. Bob Gainey has officially been granted exclusive rights to talk to Sundin before the July 1st deadline and is using it to pursuade him to join the red, white, and blue. Sundin would be a fantastic player to add up front to our line up because he can use his strength and size to compensate for some of our smaller forwards. I am salivating just thinking about him and Kovalev moving the puck around on the PP. We will have to wait and pray, but expect this to happen pretty quickly if it is going to happen.

Free Agent News

So, with the season over now, and my grieving completed, we must wonder what is in the cards for changes to the team for next season. Some rumours just will not go away.

One of those rumours is that Mats Sundin is interested in coming to Montreal. I am not sure how much stock I would put into this rumour, but there is no doubt, adding a guy who has put up a point per game for 15 years and is big and strong would be a big help to our team. Not to mention, all those Leaf fans that don't like Sundin would finally get a feeling for how good he actually is.

Streit will likely be able to command a decent salary on the market but he also seems like the kind of guy who would consider giving Montreal a 'home team' discount. It is hard to justify big bucks for a guy who can't even play defence everyday but then again, he is a great asset on the point during the powerplay.

Ryder has likely played his last game in Montreal and will likely leave town for half the money he was hoping to command. I suspect that where ever he ends up, he will put the puck in the net and show that last season was just a bad year. But that is my predictions.

We will have to keep our ears to the ground to see if Sir Gainey makes any draft day deals to move up, likely not, but you never know.

Is it September yet?

Do or Die!

Well it is game 5 and Montreal was not expecting to be down 3-1 in a series against the sixth seed Phillidephia Flyers. The Canadiens have both out shot and out chanced the Flyers by more than a hair but we don't have many goals to show for it.

Price has not been 'himself' in this series but he has been given the start tonight, which was a must make decision by the coach. Price has the potential to walk in to Montreal tonight and steal the game.

I expect Montreal will come out flying. They need to, and if they don't then they can throw a gem of a season away. Biron seems to be the only thing in the way in the series. They also have been playing from behind, every game. A quick start or even a goal in the first period would go a long way to letting Price settle down and relax.

Rumour has it that Brunnstrom will be in Montreal examining the city/team. A big win here with a nice loud crowd should go a long way in giving him a good reason to consider Montreal further as a potential destination.

Game 5 tonight, Montreal needs a big win to get their confidence up, we will just have to wait and see...

Price Recalled....Back in the Bigs

Carey Price was recalled today by Gainey and was replaced on the Hamilton roster by Halak. Could this be to get Halak some playing time in the AHL to encourage a trade?

I don't see Price being the number one goalie in Montreal with Huet so it doesn't really make sense that they would be bringing price up to play too many games.

Who knows, maybe the Leafs will trade Sundin for Halak? (remember Kordic for Courtnall?)

Habs Looking at Sundin....

There was a rumour I heard that the Canadiens were looking at Leafs center Mats Sundin. This rumour is the most bogus thing I have ever heard. Lets not say that I don't think Sundin would be unwanted in Montreal but it isn't happening.

Mats has been a consistent point per game player for his entire career. This would be a much added bonus for the Habs but what would a team have to give up for that type of talent? You can start with a minimum of one or two first round draft picks. After that, you will need to add either a proven youngster such as Komisarek, Higgins, or Kostitsyn. The only other player that could meet the requirements would be a born to be type player such as Price. There is no way the Habs would trade their franchise player in a package for Sundin.

Why else is this not going to happen? They are in the same conference, and even more, they are in the same division. If you are going to play eight games a year against a team, you don't want to making any big trades with each other.

For all you Toronto Maple Leafs fans out there, your franchise needs to rebuild by trading Sundin, but don't come knocking on our door because we are not interested unless you are going to give him to us for a bag of pucks. Then again, you have done this in the past. John Kordic for Russ Courtnall....oops!

Vinny Lecavalier to the Habs?

Ryder Writing His Own Ticket Out of Town?

Coach Guy called out Ryder today stating that Ryder is a shooter and getting one shot a game is unacceptable. Ryder currently has 2 goals this year and is clearly off to a bad start. Being the Habs highest goal scorer the last two years, Montreal's offence would be much more potent with an effective Ryder.

In my last post I mentioned that the Canucks were looking for a top six forward. Could they possibly looking for a guy like Michael Ryder? I believe it is possible. However, what would Vancouver be able to offer? Montreal needs goal scoring and you don't get scoring by trading a goal scorer.

The simple fact still remains, Ryder has signed to one year contracts in a row so I don't see Ryder having any more years in Montreal after this one. But if this season continues as it started for Ryder, he is going to have trouble signing a big contract.

Trade Looming with the Canucks?

It was recently reported that a number of Vancouver scouts and the assistant GM were in attendance for the Atlanta game on Tuesday night. It is believed that the Canucks are looking for a top six forward to improve upon their pitiful offense.

I can't see Montreal trading away a top six forward to improve on their team because they are stacked in net, and their young defence is coming along quite well. I can't see Montreal even considering a trade with the Canucks at this point but maybe Gainey has a plan that no one can figure out.

This sounds like nothing more than a rumour, but only time will tell.