Here’s an excerpt from the ESPN.com article by Pierre LeBrun who updates the Mats Sundin, Brendan Shanahan situations.
All Habs has made an assertive effort not to post too many Sundin reports/rumours in the main article section, but it’s getting closer for Sundin to make his decision so expect more in the coming weeks, especially with the Canadiens in the mix.
We are told the Chicago Blackhawks are suddenly making a serious push for Mats Sundin.
According to sources, Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon met with the star free agent Friday in Los Angeles. The 37-year-old would certainly fill their hole at center.
But right now, the Hawks are cap-strapped. They would have to move goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and his $6.75 million salary before having any chance at signing Sundin. But at the very least, we’re told their interest is not a joke.
Vancouver, Montreal, the Rangers and the Blackhawks appear to be the front-runners at this point. The Canucks are still the favorite given that they’re the only team in that group that already has the cap room.
The Sundin camp will cut down the short list in early December with the aim of getting him signed in mid- to late December.
Once and for all, you can forget about Sundin returning to Toronto.
“I don’t think we profile as a team that he’s going to sign with,” new Leafs president and GM Brian Burke said Saturday during his introductory news conference. “If it was just for money, he’s already turned down $20 million [from Vancouver]. I think this guy’s got $2 less than God already and I don’t think he needs the dough.
“He’s going to go somewhere where he thinks they have a chance to win based on my conversation with him. I don’t think we profile as a team he’s going to sign with. Not yet.”