An excerpt from the Toronto Star article by Damien Cox:
So now that the July 1st furor has died down and Sundin appears no closer to committing to a new club, or even to returning to the Maple Leafs for another season, it’s probably worth listening to what the man has said so far.
He’s said he’s not sure whether he wants to play any more.
That sounds like a hockey player with a lot of miles on his chassis for whom the fire, at least temporarily, has gone out.
Doesn’t mean it can’t be re-lit. But if, after almost three months of sitting on the sidelines by the first day of free agency, Sundin wasn’t sure if continuing with NHL employment was his heart’s desire, that should tell people something.
Damien Cox continues later in the article by saying:
In Montreal, the Canadiens haven’t yet filled out their payroll, and chose not to chase down the likes of Naslund and Demitra. The Habs have about $7 million (U.S.) of cap space left, and some are suggesting this is a very big season coming up for Gainey’s club because they’ll be facing so many major contract issues next summer.