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This is starting to look like another failed attempt at signing a UFA in the long line of failed attempts. This one sucks a bit more because now Leaf fans will chirp more about how nobody wants to sign in MTL.
Who cares what the fans of the worst team in the league say?
I certainly don't.
Lots of talk that Sundin is looking to the Rangers...
Given that... Whats plan B for the Habs? Is there a plan B?
The Rangers don't have the room for another $7 million center.The story seems like a way for Mats to say he choose Montreal over other teams as well not only the leafs.That way he saves face(a little) with his leaf fans.
I'm betting on him coming here
Interesting thought. I do think we have to look beyond the obvious, and him being intersted in the Rangers is not necessarily bad.
My own theory (also a little different) is that he's interested in living in New York for a year. I suspect Montreal is not as attractive since he doesn't speak French (at least I don't think so) and New York is New York! Sundin seems intelligent, somewhat cultured.... NY is a draw for people like that. Gretzky said he loved playing in NY because he could walk down the street there and even those that knew him treated him like a friend ("hey Wayne, great game!") instead of like an icon.
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I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be dr
Well, just remember, Sundin has lived in Quebec before, it wouldn't be that strange of an experience for him. However, maybe a case of, been there done that?
It's probably about as attractive to him as it was the various Russians who have joined us over the recent years. It's not New York, New York but Montreal is something special. Lets face it, if Mats wants to stick around for another year it's not going to sight see. He wants to win a cup.
How much cap space does Detroit have now?
Apparently quite a bit, but they have to keep an eye on next year and Zetterberg.
Ok, working from the premise that Gainey wants,"a centre like Sundin" and seeing that Brad Richards is staying in Dallas and Ribeiro has established himself there...does Gainey make a play for Modano? He's affordable, under contact for just two years, Gainey and him have a long relationship. You have to figure sooner or later Bob would bring someone over from his days in Dallas. Hmm...
Closer with Kostitsyn...
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=89b24295...
That's good news.
Great player, but still young. I hope he's in the 3 mil range and not something outrageous.
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I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be dr
Dam! I was seriously just about to post that...Beat me to it, Touché!
"If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."
Gainey @ The Metropolis Tuesday June 24th, 2008...
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16808-Bob-Gainey-says-he-has-spoke...
"If I wanted to hear from an ass, I would fart..."
Good article on Canadiens.com about Tanguay:
http://canadiens.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=...
Great to see how excited he is about being here, his experience playing Colorado learning from some of the star players there.
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I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be dr
Ok I need to say this and I am sure I am going to get tons of static for it..
I have already posted before " once a leaf always a leaf "
and everyone slamed me saying other leafs have come to montreal and have had great careers.
Lets all think about this..
Montreal and toronto are all tied up going to a shoot out.
winner goes to the playoffs, loser plays golf.
Sundin needs to score to get us into the playoffs..
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN FOLKS....
Sundin is a great player, but he bleeds toronto blue.
He is the face of the leafs.
Like Derek Jeter is to the yankees.
There is way to much haterid between these to clubs..
Wont work people..
Looks like the laffs maybe freeing up space for Sundin.?!? http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Games/2008/06/24/5972601-cp.html
Another laff falls from the tree of TO... Tucker'd OUT!
OR just field the worst team in hopes of landing Tavares? I guess it would take much...
I agree 100%
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Ex Hab close to signing with the Red Wings.... http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080625/SPORTS05/806250...
NM49 - You have to marvel at how Detroit does it. Maybe we can do the same and establish the same type of environment during the next few years in terms of players wanting to be here and play for below market value. Somehow I doubt it as that's a very tough sell. Stuart(if he's not injured) could bring some decent coin on the open market yet Detroit thinks he might come back for about $3mil. Wouldn't he look great in Montreal at that price! Chelios is more of a symbolic figure these days as signified by the fact he may be a healthy scratch for half the season next year. Time to break in Kindl and Ericsson as his replacements. The Wings may have to finally join the real world next year when they attempt to resign Zetterberg. He will deserve a Datsyuk type contract. Lastly, Jimmy Howard was no great shakes in the American League last year. Personally, I'm hoping the Wings go with an Osgood/Howard tandem next year. It will be their Achilles Heel and our window of opportunity to defeat them in next year's Stanley Cup final. Mind you, If Sundin signs with the Wings instead of us then we might as well cancel next season right now.
The Original 24 Cups
24 - Your talking to the wrong guy when you talk about the Wings as i hate them. I have too many acquaintances that are Red Wing fans and their all the same , blowhards and arrogant and when they lose you can't find them and i don't care if they read this as they know how i feel. The goalie situation will easily be solved with a cheap Dubielewicz or a Conklin and it's not hard to play goal or "D" the way they backcheck , it's a thing of beauty. IMO , i wouldn't want Stuart or Redden on the Habs cuz they are too expensive for what they bring and are overrated. Stuart is a fit player who looks alright with some teams or system or partners but could stink the place out with others , ask the Bruins or the Flames. He's sorta like Samsonov but not to that extent. The Kings want him back to tudor their young "D" (Johnson,Doughty,Teubert) along with Blake if he signs and they are worried about Blake's constant injuries (too many games missed or coming up lame) and he's expensive. No doubt the Wings may be back cuz of their division though getting better is weak and those games are not as physical as when they play the Ducks,Flames,Canucks and Sharks. If they play two physical series then the Wings may be in trouble but it's the luck of the draw. Boy I'm getting like K 1000 words, lol. Enjoy.
Regarding Sundin and the Habs, the speculation and reports will be endless and mean squat until a deal is announced or nothing happens by July 1.
But keep in mind that Gainey has been in hot pursuit of Mats since the trade deadline last season. He will not approach the player unprepared.
Also keep in mind that Gainey and Sundin are similar in character and demeanor, and that neither tend to lay their cards on the table in negotiations beforehand.
Loyalty is obviously an important factor in Sundin's thinking.
This marks the second time that Sundin is aware of the Canadiens reaching out for him.
He also wants to win.
Never mind all the talk of him retiring. He didn't play like a player who was ready to hang it up down the stretch. He was playing as though he wished to prove something, beyond the Leafs playoff hopes, that would be a statement as to his worth for this upcoming season.
If the Maple Leafs were willing to extend these rights to the Habs, there had to be something in Mats' conversations that led Cliff Fletcher to agree to granting the Canadiens such terms until July 1.
TSN's Bob McKenzie won't read it that way because of who signs his paychecks.
Whatever the outcome of all these scenario's is, Sundin will surely give Gainey the full opportunity to make a case for him joining the Habs.
Mats will undoutably be listening intently.
If his decision has not been made by July 1, it will remain at the forefront of his feelings that the Canadiens wanted him most.
In the end, that is what might make the biggest difference.
Hopefully, for all parties concerned, the time frame's will line up before all the dollars are spent.
Robert L - Well said. Gainey is doing everything in his power to make this happen and that's all we can ask for at this point in time. We have to be patient because to use NM49's words, both these guys operate out of a rockin' chair. I'll say one thing though - when Sundin hits the ice he comes to play and at a very high skill level. This guy is the real deal and is far from being washed up.
The Original 24 Cups
Robert
I believe Mats will not sign with us plain and simple. Why would Bob get on a plane and chase him in Swedan?
Should he not come to the beautiful city of Montreal and our captain Saku Koivu convince him what the team has to offer him?
If he's not signed now, he never will in Montreal.
On to the Motor City or Big Apple for this Swedish bachelor to sign with Hogtown his last resort.
Don't be emotionally let down with others if he does not want to play in Montreal on a contender. His loss our gain.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
When you're after a girl, you don't sit around and wait for her to knock on your door. Gainey is being proactive and just by offering to fly there is showing legitimate and flattering interest. Mats, just as professional, is saving Bob the trouble. Visiting Montreal would be step 2.
While I don't think Sundin will end up in Montreal, I don't see how all of you can profess to know better than Gainey (or anyone else) that Gainey is wasting his time. Sundin must be at least open to the idea - he's a stand up guy and not one to dick people around.
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I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be drawn into debates about Ryder... I will not be dr
Smart Dog,
If I were an NHL free agent player, I'd fly to Montreal in a heartbeat to see what the greatest team in the world has to offer.
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
That's because you're a real bleeding Habs fan.
do you really think all of our players are like that?
Excellent post and analogy Smart Dog :)
Robert L - You summed it up pretty well.
with Sundin
STREIT SUNDIN KOVALEV
A.KOS PLECS S.KOS
TANGUAY KOIVU HIGGINS
BEGIN LAPIERRE KOSTOPOULOS
MARKOV KOMI
HAMERLIK O'B
BOUILLON GORGES
with Cambell
TANGUAY KOIVU S.KOS
A.KOS PLECS KOVALEV
STREIT CHIP HIGGINS
BEGIN LAPIERRE KOSTOPOULOS
CAMBELL KOMI
MARKOV HAMERLIK
BOUILLON O'B
based on speculation that Ryder, Smolinski and Brisebois are gone
Latendresse, Dandinault and other prospects will have to earn their ice time (Streit and Chip would be effected by such)
Either team can make the drive for 25 ;)