Gary Leeman

We're 36 days into free agency, and Mathieu Dandenault is still looking for work.

In La Presse, Mathias Brunet looks at Dandy's dilemma and points out that five other Canadiens' UFAs remain unsigned: Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang, Mathieu Schneider, Francis Bouillon and Patrice Brisebois.

Tell me again: How good was the team Bob Gainey blew up?

To be fair, players of a certain age carrying a significant price tag are going to have a tough time in the current market. The unsigned list includes Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Comrie, Petr Sykora, Brendan Shanahan, Miroslav Satan, Emmanuel Fernandez, Philippe Boucher, Denis Seidenberg, Mike Grier and Chris Chelios.

Oh yeah, and a certain big Swedish centre who looked very attractive a mere 12 months ago.

• You read it here first: Patrick Eaves will have a career renaissance in Detroit. Ken Holland doesn't make many mistakes.

• Pat Hickey on the Phoenix mess.

• Watsatheo Theatre: Guillaume Latendresse highlight reel, Tomas Plekanec laying out James Sheppard and Rick Nash with nifty hip checks.

• From the Canadiens site, Brian Gionta likes country music (Carey will have company). Favourite Seinfeld character: Kramer.

• Will the Sharks make a trade? Good analysis from San Jose blog.

• The NY Post's Larry Broooks dissects the Nikolai Zherdev situation.

• The terrific Lions in Winter site has a look back at Gary Leeman's contribution to the 1993 Cup win.

• Stephen Brunt on Gary Bettman.

• James Mirtle on the Islanders' problems.

• Russian journalist interviews Alexander Ovechkin, whose voice is hilariously dubbed into English.

• Today's featured video: We'll miss you, J.R.