An excerpt from The Hockey News (T.C. Denault):

Now almost three weeks after the start of free-agency each man finds himself on the outside looking in. As the Canadiens wait for the Mats Sundin saga to play out, one can’t help but wonder what the future holds for Smolinski and Brisebois. For both of them is there the realization that they may have played their last game?

Brisebois has publicly stated that he would like to return next year in a playing capacity. Failing that he appears willing to begin a coaching career that in many ways represents a continuation of one of his primary roles with the Canadiens last year.

Smolinski on the other hand, has been silent since the end of the season. Undoubtedly, he must be feeling a large amount of anxiety and stress right now. With a young family, and having already played in eight NHL cities in his seventeen year career, Smolinski represents a side of the NHL life that we don’t often read about. The life of a hockey nomad, involving the buying and selling of houses, kids changing schools continuously, leaving friends behind, is not one that is often told.

And while we read article upon article about Mats Sundin, trying to decide where to play with offers of $8 to $10 million per season on the table, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin, as veterans like Patrice Brisebois and Bryan Smolinski wait for a phone call that may never come.