Excerpt from the Boston Globe article (Kevin Paul Dupont):

It’s highly possible that talks between Boston and Hossa have begun, because it has become a trend for clubs to be granted permission to speak with pending unrestricted free agents well ahead of the July 1 start of the NHL’s open marketplace.

Meanwhile, reports around the league yesterday had the San Jose Sharks granting permission for the Rangers to negotiate with Brian Campbell, the puck-moving defenseman whom the Sharks acquired at the February trade deadline for Steve Bernier. Rumors last night also had the Sharks granting the same permission to the Canadiens and Senators.

Habster:

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins were granted exclusive rights to talk to Marian Hossa. The fact Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli didn’t deny it outright speaks volumes about the behind the scenes situation.

I’m sure Chiarelli saw what Bob Gainey did with the Maple Leafs/Mats Sundin and decided to get the same head start on trying to negotiate with Hossa prior to the July 1st deadline. Chiarelli also realizes he must improve his current roster with some much needed offensive punch and Marian Hossa would certainly be a substantial upgrade to play along side his buddies, Marc Savard and Zdeno Chara.

If the Bruins are trying to sign Hossa and actually get his signature on a long term deal, then the Habs /Sundin situation becomes even more crucial. Bob Gainey will be under tremendous pressure to get a deal done with Sundin as he won’t have a “plan B” to fall back on without Marian Hossa available and a weak UFA market.

As far as the rumor of the Sharks granting the Canadiens and Senators permission to talk to Brian Campbell, I don’t think either team has the available cap space to accommodate another $6-7 million per season over 5-7 years. The Canadiens will have a shade under $41 million commited to 17 players without Sundin (if he signs obviously), Andrei Kostitsyn, Josh Gorges, Jaroslav Halak and UFA Mark Streit being included in that cap total. Unless Trader Bob (I never thought I would ever utter those words in the same breath) makes a deal which unloads salary, the Habs are not in the market to sign Brian Campbell.


With all that being said, give the Canadiens organization credit for aggressively moving forward with the Alex Tanguay and Mats Sundin situations……..way to go Trader Bob, now let’s hope your Swedish trip is a success!!!