Even with winger Alex Tanguay and centre Robert Lang in the fold, it seems the Montreal Canadiens still have an eye for Mats Sundin.
Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey met with the unrestricted free agent centre on Wednesday, a development that was not surprising to Sundin’s agent JP Barry.
“Montreal was always a serious contender for Mats services,” Barry told RDS reporter Renaud Lavoie on Friday. “They are a very skilled, exciting hockey team, with great fans and one of the best hockey markets in the world.”
Barry told TSN that he intends on continuing to talking to the 11 teams who have shown interest in the 37-year-old and expects his client will make a decision on whether to return by the end of December. Barry’s next move is to find the serious bidders in the group in the event Sundin decides to return.
Habster:
I wouldn’t want to play high stakes poker against Bob Gainey. Mr. Gainey can bluff with the best of them, especially after his recent visit to sunny California to visit the Big Swede and discuss his future plans.
If you recall, it was only a few weeks ago that Gainey was saying he and the organization were moving in a different direction with Plan”B” by signing Robert Lang (by no means in the same class as Sundin!!).
How things change when a team is struggling to score goals and wins only two games in their last seven.
- With only $2 million in available cap room and a roster bursting at the seams with players on one way contracts, Gainey will have to make some roster moves (Hello Mr. Dandenault and Mr. Begin!!) in order to make an offer which is agreeable to the Sundin camp.
- Reliable sources are now saying Sundin is not limiting his choices to the Eastern Conference and will seriously consider playing for a Western conference team, even a west coast team like the Ducks or Canucks.
- Mike Gillis still hasn’t removed his huge 2 year/$20 million deal from the table. I’m guessing he is willing to give Sundin the full $10 million for half a season…..consider it a nice signing bonus!!! Add into the mix that the Canucks are playing good hockey (12-6-2 26 pts) at the present time and it is conceivable that Mats sees a potential playoff berth with the Canucks.
- The Canadiens aren’t exactly playing great hockey the last 7-8 games and if Sundin is serious about his desire to play for a Stanley Cup contender, then he might have some doubts about the Habs’ chances……unless they straighten things out soon.
- The Canadiens are 1 of 11 teams vying for the big Swedes services, not great odds!!
All Habs readers, tell us what you think about the Habs on again, off again and now on again courtship with Sundin!!!???