An excerpt from Hockeybuzz.com (Eklund):
Plan B
Many are curious what the plan in Montreal is if the Canadiens don’t land Sundin. At this point the Habs are putting around 8 million aside for the undecided Swede. The Habs can make the needed moves, send guys down, to clear up the extra 2 or so…But should Mats decide he wants to play elsewhere or take the ferry back and forth to Holland next year, what then.
Well I touched base with a source last night who told me a plan was in place, and that he believed the plan had something to do with the oft-rumoured Patrick Marleau…Of course, many of us were on the Marleau watch as we waited to see if San Jose would pull a deal off prior to Patrick’s NTC kicking in on July 1. When they didn’t Marleau’s name sort of vanished from the rumour world.
Well I am told that we may still want to look at Montreal and Marleau. Of course Patrick would HAVE to waive his NTC, but sources tell me that “may be strongly considered” should the right situation present itself.
We will stay on it, but it is safe to say the Habs have a backup plan.
That plan may possibly be Schneider from Anaheim. The Habs really need to consider that as strong as Markov is, Streit is gone and that other point man isn’t just going to score points “no matter who you put there” on the PP. As a closet Habs fan this is my biggest worry going into this season. This team depends so much on the power play to win games…and Streit’s impact I feel was under-valued.
Habster:
There maybe a plan “B” in place if Mats Sundin goes elsewhere though I doubt Bob Gainey would sacrifice much from his current roster (especially his top 8-9 forwards and top 4 defensemen) for Patrick Marleau unless it involved some prospects from Hamilton/CHL and draft picks.
It’s possible Doug Wilson will take some solid prospects and draft picks to simply try to unload Marleau’s remaining two years at $6.3 million per season.
I’m not sure how Habs fan feel about Marleau but I’m not terribly endeavored by his game.
As far as the Canadiens being interested in the 39 year old Matheiu Schneider, I don’t think Gainey would be willing to trade for him……..zero interest!!!!
