From The Fourth Period:

Mats Sundin can take his time, insisted Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau, according to Montreal’s La Presse.

Carbonneau and Habs management believe they are still in the running to sign the unrestricted free agent star center.

“He doesn’t need to rush [a decision],” Carbonneau told CKAC radio, a French sports radio station in Montreal. “He has to decide what’s important for him. He will take his time and decide if he wants to play or not. We are willing to wait.”

If Sundin decides he wants to play another season, and may hockey pundits believe he will, the Habs have plenty of competition.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and two unidentified teams have expressed a strong interest in Sundin’s services.

The Canucks have a two-year, $20 million offer on the table, but are willing to discuss a one-year agreement, while the Leafs have offered a one-year deal worth around $7 million. The Rangers are not believed to have pitched an offer, but have shown interest and would have to make some maneuvering in order to fit him under the salary cap.

If Sundin returns to the NHL and opts to sign outside of Montreal, Carbonneau remains confident in his current roster.

“We have a team in place, a good team,” he said. “If Sundin comes here, he’s an elite player, and he’ll make us an even-better team.”

Sundin is expected to make his decision around the end of August.