An excerpt from SI.com writer Allan Muir great story about the upcoming UFA shopping frenzy:
The Habs revere their history more than any other team in the NHL, and justifiably so. Given the chance to commemorate a milestone like a centennial, you know they’re going to go big. They’ve already got the All-Star Game and the Entry Draft set for the Bell Centre in 2009, but those events pale next to their most important pursuit. The Canadiens are very, very serious about competing for a 25th Stanley Cup to make the most of their centennial, and that means a big free agent splash is part of the plan.
In the aftermath of the offensive meltdown that derailed this season’s playoff run, GM Bob Gainey said he wanted to add an impact forward. Alex Tanguay was acquired from Calgary at the draft, and he’ll play a big role in their top six. But Tanguay’s more of a complementary piece than the sort of gamebreaker Gainey covets.
That’s why the Habs arranged a contingency deal with the Maple Leafs for exclusive negotiating rights to impending free agent Mats Sundin. The big center would be an ideal fit, adding size, experience and reliability to a forward group that could use all three elements. He led the Leafs with 76 points last season, and hasn’t scored less than 72 in the last dozen years.