Gainey Catches Sundin Practice On Hopes Of Restoring Talks

As per RDS and TSN, the Montreal Canadiens have renewed talks with unrestricted free agent Mats Sundin.

Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey met with the 37 year old Sundin in California on Wednesday in hopes of restoring talks between the two sides.
Sundin has been working out in Los Angeles since early November, where he is expected to begin skating next week.

However, while Sundin is showing signs of returning, he hasn't made any decision yet.
In mid September, the Canadiens acquired forward Robert Lang from the Chicago Blackhawks after deciding to move in a different direction from the Sundin sweepstakes.

"We had developed a priority and had we been able to entice Mats Sundin to comeback and play and comeback and play with the Canadiens, we would have done that as early as June of this summer," Gainey explained at the time.

"(Sundin) didn't give me any indication he was going to make a decision and my hockey department and I were not prepared to wait for a player who may or may not decide to play in November, December or January or February."

As many as six teams have expressed interest in Sundin's services, including the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers.

Last season, Sundin enjoyed one of his best seasons, finishing with 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in 74 games and leading Toronto in scoring for the fourth straight year.

Canadiens Testing Gainey's Patience

The Canadiens 2-1 loss to the Flyers on Saturday had some small silver linings, but a loss is still a loss. The good news, if there is anything possitive to take from this game, was that the Canadiens were not blown out of the water like they had been against the Bruins and Maple Leafs this past week.

Still the Canadiens are slumping, having lost four of five, and calls are beginning for something to be done about it.

For General Manager Bob Gainey, the Habs play of late must surely disappointing. Trust that he won't be calling a press conference to discuss it. Gainey, who has an almost legendary patience, won't make a rash move in assessing this team's chances.

The Canadiens have four games in seven nights this coming week, after which they will be one game shy of the 20 game mark. How they perform during that stretch could be crucial. If Gainey were to make any kind of impact move, it will be here that he begins to seriously ponder such a thing if the team has not shaken it's doldrums and found some level of consistency.

There seems to be a rising number of issues with this season's team. It's character is often questionable. Discipline haunts them at the worst possible moments. Identity might also be an issue. This team wants to be a slick offensive machine, but grinding gears are needed to motor the wheels.

It could also be that the rest of the league has caught up with them in some regards. The club is still a young group, and opponants adjust to them after a certain time, and learn how to play them with familiarity.

These are the assessments that Gainey and his coaches will have to make after the next stretch of games. Time is of the essence in bringing about these decisions, for if Gainey is going to make a statement move, the value of the moved assets will need to be assured. On the flip side of the coin, the assets might also be declining in worth. Tough calls could be made.






















Watching the Flyers game on RDS, on more than one occasion commentator Benoit Brunet alluded to the notion that the Canadiens were in fact working hard on the ice, but it was in fact the mechanisms of their work which were causing their problems. Such is typival of a team in search of itself.

The trouble with an extended slump such as this, is that fingers start being pointed amongst team mates, and names start being dropped in order to assess blame. Nothing good ever arises from such behavior. Add that to Gainey's plate!

The coming week will be an interesting one for patient Bob!























A little tie - in side track here, that only has to do with the Canadiens in a peripheral sense.

This is all about expectation, dedication, vision, worry, and foundation. As a Habs fan, you can take it as a call for patience and / or perspective, when wishing on dreams. When something is being built, it takes time to see it through.

The video clip below is from my favorite Jersey devil, and I found that it made for one inspiring song, in light of a whole bunch of things, the Habs included.

The song is called "Workin' On A Dream", and this You Tube clip became glued to my cranium after just two listens. In this video from two weeks ago, a dedication went out to Senator Barrack Obama. I want to send it out to Anna Gainey and T.C. Denault. They both know why. The lyrics to the song are below the clip.



Workin' On A Dream

Out here the nights are long and the days are lonely,
I think of you and,
I'm workin' on a dream,
I'm workin' on a dream.

Now the cards I've drawn is a rough hand darling,
I straighten my back and,
I'm workin' on a dream,
I'm workin' on a dream.

I'm workin' on a dream,
Though sometimes it feels so far away,
I'm workin' on a dream,
And I know it will be mine some day

Rain pourring down I swing my hammer,
My hands are rough from,
I'm workin' on a dream,
I'm workin' on a dream

I'm workin' on a dream,
This struggle can feel like it's here to stay,
I'm workin' on a dream,
But our love will chase the trouble away

I'm workin' on a dream,
The weekend feels so far away,
I'm workin' on a dream,
Our love will make it real someday

Sun rise up, I climb the ladder,
A new day breaks and,
I'm workin' on a dream,
I'm workin' on a dream,
I'm workin' on a dream,
I'm workin' on a dream,

I'm workin' on a dream,
The weekend feels so far away,
I'm workin' on a dream,
Our love will make it real someday

Not everyone is a fan of Bruce Springtseen and the method he uses to attach politics to daily life. I for one, find him to be one of the few songwriters in the rock and roll sphere with enough popularity and balls, daring enough to make that connection. Neil Young is another brave soul, who cares more about society than dollar signs to speak his mind.

Either way, and irregardless of what was mentioned above, if you are a Boss fan, tonight on NFL halftime, a clip of the E Street Band performance of this tune set to football highlights is set to air. The song will be included on the next Bruce Springsteen disc coming in January.

How Gainey Could Fill Hamrlik's Doughnut? (Or, Gainey's Search For The Next Craig Ludwig)

While the 2008-09 season is still young, and the Montreal Canadiens are doing as well as possible could be expected with a haul of 17 of 20 potential points, the ultimate goal for the campaign is to bag a 25th Stanley Cup in it's centennial season.

The expectations are high, and anything less than a Cup final participation will be seen by many as a disappointment of sorts.

It has been suggested on many fronts that the Canadiens shoot for moon in this season, and continue to seek to acquire players who will take them to the promised land.

With an 8-1-0-1 record, spotting where the club needs an ungrade at present, is trickier than what it appears on the surface. The team is winning consistently, with a couple of ugly gains thrown in, is scoring at a decent clip, is playing sounder 5 on 5 hockey than they have in years, and overall the team is allowing less goals per game than it has in recent memory.

So what's the problem exactly, and why are fans and media alike clammoring for upgrades?

For starters, it has something inherant with being a Habs follower, that gets a playoff discussing off and running after the season's first game is in the books. It amplifies from there.

Soon, as other clubs have there woes, rumours begin as to who exactly on the available market could be of help to the Canadiens. Next thing you know, snazzy shooters the likes of Marian Gaborik and Ilya Kovalchuk are being speculated with much foundation.

Certain insightful fans of the team - and there's about a million of them with a concrete opinion - suggest that there is a hole that needs filling on defense.

Looking at the composition of the club so far this season, it is apparent that they have sufficient offence to see them through. With nine interchangable gunners up front, the club has the benefit of six "Joe the Plumbers" to fill out the fourth line duties on a given night. The depth at forward allows for some confident navigation through injuries, as we have witnessed so far.

In goal, Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak have been fairly consistent thus far, with each having had one off night that is of little concern.

On defense, Andrei Markov, an All Star, is paired with Mike Komisarek, an all purpose meanie who blocks shots and pounds with a wrecking ball's ramdom precision. A solid an experienced Roman Hamrlik hightlights the second pairing, often placed with either of veteran Patrice Brisebois or greenhorn Ryan O'Byrne. The third due is the solid is unspectacular Francis Bouillon and Josh Gorges, both efficient enough to see the club through. An emergency option lies in forward, and former defenseman Mathieu Dandenault, who could surely handle a few shifts when the penalty box holds three reargaurds or when injuries hit.

But that is all well and fine in the here and now. Canadiens fans meanwhile, are discussing the second, third and fourth rounds of the playoff, and they see a doughnut next to Hamrlik that begs for filling.

As time passes, it is becoming apparent that the play of Brisebois and O'Byrne will not suffice in that role. O'Byrne will be a good one - one day, but lacks the experience at present while enduring the rough road bumps that are what becoming a regular NHL defenseman is all about. Brisebois, on the other hand, has all kinds of experience (most of it wearily undemonstrated), but is too old in his game for it to be depended upon.

The outcry, if you will, has little to do with what is being asked of those players as it appears both are better suited in the roles of a fifth and sixth D-man. Breaking up the Bouillon and Gorges duo to fit one alongside Hamrlik, only brings the issue back to square.

It is clear that for the Canadiens to upgrade, this is where the need is most required.

The problem is, fourth defenseman are not in abundance, and teams looking to deal a potential suitor to the Habs will be greedy for quality returns.

I've no doubt that sooner or later, GM Gainey will start staring into the doughnut, and it will hypnotically gain in size. Something will need to be done.

After all, you only get one chance to win a Stanley Cup in a 100th season once!

Gainey captained the unlikely 1986 Cup champs, a team taken a great length by Patrick Roy, some savvy vets, a fermenting crew of quality youngs, and some able role players. Gainey, as seen by his retirement ceremony last season, has a fondness for the Joe Plumbers workers of the lunchpail crew, and it is likely that he seeks out such a type to fill the apparent void.

The kind of player he may target, could easily resemble former defenseman Craig Ludwig, an unsung player on that 1986 squad.

Ludwig paired with a young Chris Chelios, while Larry Robinson tandemed with Rick Green. Further down, Gaston Gingras, absent from the regular season, ate up PP time and stole Petr Svoboda's (a gingerbread Brisebois if there ever was one!) role, with Mike Lalor added to mix.

The bulk of the work went to the Robinson, Green, Chelios, Ludwig quator, and the were all employed well above 20 minutes per game.

Ludwig was a low maintenance, stay at home, with an angry lumberjack's temperment. His disposition was personified by his stickwork, and he was all shoulders and elbows in his crunches. His first pass was a solid and consistant efficient clearing, and his game held no delussions or surprises. He was what O'Byrne may one day become. Unfortunately, the role Ludwig fillled, is now being taken up to some extent by Hamrlik, who is losing some of his true game by having to be wearly of his partner's failings.

In order to bring the best out of Hamrlik and reduce his workload, a Ludwig of sorts is sought.

Now fans hoping for a splash in acquiring a defenseman, name players like Florida's Jay Bowmeester, or Nashville's Shea Weber as top line players on their want lists. Other names I have heard in pure speculation have included Jay McKee of St. Louis, Matt Schneider in Atlanta and the Leafs Tomas Kaberle - all doubtful for varying reasons..

Once caller into CKAC yesterday said Gainey should even make the Ducks an offer they can't refuse for Chris Pronger!

It's doubtful that Gainey is on speaking terms with Brian Burke from a two year old misconception, but maybe targeting Francois Beauchemin, a free agent next summer, is a sounder and more probable fit next to Hamrlik.

One interesting option could be Nicklas Havelid, a 35 year old vet with the Thrashers who would fit in nicely. He's inexpensive at 2.9 million and a UFA next season, and holds Atlanta's D together most nights. Ruslan Salei and Adam Foote of Colorado are salaries in the same ballpark with an added season that fit the mold.

Detroit's Brad Stuart is signed long term, but word is he is available, as he is standing ion the way of Niklas Kronwall's progression. Would the Wings deal with Montreal? Stuart could be the Habs perfect one year solution, and his contract could easily be turned over a season from now.

Sean O'Donnell of the L.A. Kings at 36 has an interesting resume. A member of the 2006 Ducks championship, and at 1.25 million in his final contract year, a Habs scout should check his foot speed to see if he fits in with fleet footed younger boys. O' Donnell would strictly be a depth addition, should the Canadiens see fit to work Gorges in alonside Hamrlik.

Would Minnesota part with 28 year Martin Skoula, an other skilled vet with Cup experience, and a cheap 1.9 M pricetag?

It doesn't look promising for a return of Mathias Ohlund to vancouver next season. The UFA could be a trade deadline darling that Gainey, with an alluring package could snatch earlier.

Ideally, what Gainey will look for is to acquire someone by the mid season mark. Working a defenseman in takes time. Thirty to fourty games before the playoffs is ideal. The salary would have to be mid range, and preferably expire at season's end without complicating next year's salary issues.

Some of the names mentioned above may or may not be attainable without a great sacrifice of prospects, picks and roster names. Some others might be had by simply swapping O' Byrne, and a third rounder. The Canadiens could also dangle former first rounder David Fischer, who has been slow to come around, but has shown some late bloomer upside of late.

What Gainey would offer in return is anyone's guess, but my take is that such a move would not test team chemistry. The prospects not going anywhere, anytime soon are Max Pacioretty, Yannick Weber, and Ryan McDonagh. Matt D' Agnostini's name will come up, as will goalie Jaroslav Halak's.

Beginning on Friday November 7, the Canadiens play their next 13 games in the following 23 days. It will be a rigourous test. It should also answer some questions regarding Hamrlik's doughnut.

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Should The Habs Go For Broke?

We've passed 10% mark of the season and our team is 8-1-1. Despite this great start out of the gates, I still think we're capable of playing better. Do I mean 10-0-0? Of course not. Even the great Canadiens team of 1976-1977 lost a couple games despite having nine future Hall of Famers in their lineup.

What I'm looking for is for the team to play some a solid 60 minutes every night for a least a few games in succession. And that is admitted picking of nits on my part, as I'm optimistc that will come in time as the team is young and is gelling with new players in the lineup (Tanguay, Lang, Laraque). Overall, I'm pleased with the team and don't see the need for any major changes. I think a couple of players are capable of stepping it up (Kovalev, Plekanec, A. Kostitsyn, Higgins, O'Byrne) but if the Islanders game was any indication that may no longer be an issue. Well, at least the forwards.





















Recently at the Habs Inside/Out Summit, it was brought up that we might need a solid 4th man on defence, as O'Byrne is taking longer to develop and Brisebois, Bouillon, Gorges are not capable (each for their own reasons) to take that slot yet. Or ever. It was also suggested that one can never have enough offence, so a player like Gaborik would be a great addition too.

Naturally, this is all hypothetical but as this blog is focussed on the discussion of all things Montreal Canadiens here is a perspective from the peanut gallery. The question is whether Bob Gainey would pull a blockbuster trade to get a Marian Gaborik type of forward or Jay Boumeester type of defenceman? There are really two ways to look at this kind of scenario:

OPTION 1: Go for broke. It's our centennial season and we have to win a cup this decade. Roll the dice at the trade deadline and trade from your stable of prospects and young players for a key player who would hopefully help you win a Stanley Cup. The last decade or so has been painful and only recently do we seem to have recovered from the horrible hangover that was due to the destructive Rejean Houle / Mario Tremblay duo.

Ultimately, Monsieur Gaborik and Monsieur Boumeester are all UFA's at the end of the year, so in all likelihood we will lose them in the off season like Pittsburgh did with Hossa last year, if we pulled the trigger on a deal for them.

Was the Hossa trade a failure for Pittsburgh?

Any trade must be evaluated from a short term and long term perspective. From a long term perspective it was a failure, as Hossa is no spring chicken and he left for Detroit after a long (albeit singular) playoff run. From a short term perspective, I believe the Penguins failed as well. They did reach the Stanley Cup finals, but that was just short of their ultimate goal, and subsequently they lost Hossa as a UFA. They came close, but close only counts in horseshoes and things that go boom.

So for a run to the Stanley Cup finals, the Penguins lost Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a draft pick and ended up this season with Pascal Dupuis.

Was that worth it?

Well, with all due respect to Mr. Dupuis, I don't think so. Granted, the Penguins managed to weather the loss of all those players plus others who became UFAs (Gary Roberts, Georges Laraque, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi) at season end because the have a core group of NHL superstars such as Crosby, Malkin, Stall and Fleury. But one can't help but think the Penguins would be even stronger this season if they hadn't made that trade.

As a Canadiens fan, I'm thrilled Pittsburgh made that trade.

OPTION 2: Keep your gunpowder dry. Bob Gainey could elect to do nothing so far, given the 8-1-1 record.

However, the Habs have a ton of players who will be UFAs next year such as Koivu, Kovalev, Tanguay, Komisarek, Dandenault, Begin and Bouillon. Not to mention Higgins and Plekanec are becoming RFAs. As much as we would like it, we are not going to keep all of them considering we have only $1M or so in free cap space this year.

Mike Komisarek is in line for a big raise, which you could probably offset with the departures of Dandenault, Begin and Bouillon plus change, provided his agent doesn't get greedy and he doesn't wish for a return to the NY area. One would be very naive not to think that the Rangers, Islanders and Devils will all make a serious run to sign him if afforded the opportunity. If we signed Komisarek for $5M per season, I think that would be a steal. He's big, he's tough, he's mean and he's a leader. It's been years since we have had someone on defence like him, but I digress.

Beyond our big beheamouth on defence, it really depends if we could convince Koivu, Kovalev and Tanguay to stay for another tour of duty. They are all key components and hopefully they will give us a hometown discount, but one never knows.

Koivu is a winner and has a lot of pride. If he didn't win the Stanley Cup this season and wanted to try his chances with another team I wouldn't fault him after playing on so many horrible Habs teams.

Tanguay is a magnificent player to watch, but let's see how a full season in the spotlight as a francophone player in la Belle Province will treat him. I'm skeptical when you have lunatics like the gang on 110% from TQS screaming on the airwaves every night, or being stalked all the way into the hospital by those sleazebags from the Journal de Montreal.

With Kovalev, I think we have the best chance of resigning him as he has indicated he wants to stay in Montreal, and he would be a good player for all our young Russian players and prospects. Hopefully we can go three for three but who knows?

Lastly, we better hope that a team like Edmonton doesn't make a run at Higgins or Plekanec like they did with Thomas Vanek or Dustin Penner a couple years ago. We then either lose the RFA player in exchange for some draft picks or we have to match the salary offer and then our cap situation is screwed. Another difficult factor is if the Canadian dollar continues its downward spiral. We pay our contracts in U.S. dollars and our revenues are in Canadian currency.

In light of these various free agent question marks, I think there could be some significant turnover. Therefore, that is where our prospects will be extremely important, as they can help fill potential gaps. Even if Gainey rolled the dice and made a run this year, I don't think it should be made simply on sentimental reasons because its our 100th anniversary, but rather because its the right business move to make for the team.

I realize this may generate some criticism from mes confreres/consoeurs, but I think our biggest advantage is the depth we have developed in the quality and quantity of prospects we have.

Lastly, I find Montreal Canadien fans live in a fantasy world sometimes.
Just because you can pull off a trade on NHL 2008 on your Xbox doesn't mean Bob Gainey can pull it off in real life. Therefore a potential Dandenault, Chipchura, Boullion trade for Boumeester is never going to happen. You have to put yourself in the position of the opposing General Manager.

I was the Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin, and the phone rang with Bob on the other end and he wants to land your top defenceman, you tell him that you want Chris Higgins or Max Pacioretty AND Ryan McDonough AND Jaroslav Halak AND a 1st or 2nd round pick.

You may not get it, but you definitely ask for it. If the situation was reversed, I'd expect Bob to do the exact same thing.

So at the end of the day, unless Bob Gainey can pull another Alex Kovalev for Josef Balej and draft pick type of trade, we sit and hold with the cards we have.
Candidly, I like our hand both for this round, but the next one as well.
Photos of the Montreal Canadiens courtesy of Habs Inside Out.

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Gaborik Rumours Proof That Habs Fans Have Gone Loopy For a Cup

Marian Gaborik a Montreal Canadien - doubtful in Bob Gainey's lifetime!

You see, Gainey just isn't into the type of player and person Gaborik has represented himself to be so far in his 8 year NHL career.

Now, first off, I must unequivocally state that I like Gaborik as a player package. Tools aplenty he's got - no need to list them.

The toolbox unfortunately, is a whole other matter.

On that matter, I want Gaborik the individual, about as badly as I want Bob to resign Patrice Brisebois to a long term contract extension.

In eight NHL seasons, Gaborik has topped the 70 point plateau just once, with 83 last season.

In reports or rumours, he has so far refused either a $10 million dollar deal over eight years, or an $8 million buck contract spread across ten seasons. He isn't worth either.

I read such things and think, "Gainey likes this guy because....

Strictly based on past production, future projection, and injury history, a reasonable offer sounds something like no more than 6 million per across three seasons.

The injury prone Gaborik has helped the Minnesota Wild to one successful playoff season. He plays for a team run by a trio of former Habs bleeders and sweaters with names such as Lemaire, Risebrough, and Tremblay.

If those former Canadien warriors cannot convince Gaborik of the merits of playing a complete game of hockey on a rink that extends 200 feet, it is doubtful that former Selke winners Gainey, Carbonneau and Jarvis are interested in failing where others have jogged in similar quicksand.

Want another angle of logic on this?

Somewhere out there, lies a team more desperate for Gaborik's services than the Canadiens well oiled machine. Let them part with more to get him. Perhaps the best prospect in the Canadiens pipeline is college defenseman Ryan McDonough, and any club talking trade with the Habs would demand him in the package. Gainey is not about to let go of McDonagh any time soon. He has top pairing potential and should one day be the Canadiens best defenseman.

For Gainey, with as many as 10 players to sign for next season, it is unthinkable that he would wish to add such a hefty contract in light of the raises due next season. That would really mess with his deck of cards.

The Wild won't part with Gaborik before the final seconds of the trade deadline. They will maximize their asset until then, if they are wise.

By that time, Gainey won't screw with the Habs chemistry.


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Is Timmins On Gainey's Radar Next?

Robert L Note: In light of news today that Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has re-upped Guy Carbonneau for three seasons, I thought I'd dig up this relevant older piece from this past January 16 and post it once more. Now that Gainey has Carbo bagged, he should move on to Trevor Timmins, and cell block him the Habs camp for the remainder of his days above ground. This post was originally inspired through a chat with an 83 year old friend of mine, who is currently recovering from a triple bypass surgery in Ottawa. Mac is quite a loquatious octagenarian who reads on the net constantly. His son had a habit of e-mailing my post links to him last season. I hope this one finds him once again.

"Get well soon, my friend I miss you big time!"

"Sign The Guy Who Found These Kids"

At my usual coffee stop on Saturday morning, before last weekend's Rangers debacle, I was sitting around enjoying the paper when my old pal Mac came to interupt my reading and inadvertantly title this piece.

Mac's a Habs fan from way, way back. He remembers getting his shorts in a knot over the Canadiens bumping out Frank Selke to bring in Sam Pollock!

He walked in leaning on a cane and it was the first time I'd seen him this way. His walk has gained rust, but the mind is still as pointed as a spear.

As he watched me fold the last page of the sports section and close the paper, he exclaimed, "Whoa a second, flip that back one!"

News of Alexander Ovechkin signing his whopping 13 year deal caught Mac's eye, and he immersed himself in the storyline.

"Nuts", he squawks, "He's a dandy, but that's just crazy money!"

"Could turn out to be worth it", I add, "Ovechkin is the real deal, a great package of passion, personality and gamesmenship."

"Of course....and what's Pavel Bure doing these days?"

Mac made a good point. Injuries can hamper and cut short a brilliant career with just one hit to a knee or head.

"Not sure these long term deals are worth the risk", Mac summises, and to a certain extent, it's hard not to disagree.

I tell him that I believe the Canadiens should ink a few dandies of their own long term. I name Higgins, Komisarek, and Plekanec for starters, and Mac agrees but takes the thought and runs with it.

"What Bob has to get done first is sign the guy who found these kids"

"Trevor Timmins, you mean?"

"That's the guy I think, that's a name I heard before. Is he the main scout?"

"Kinda, he's the director of scouting for the team. He likely takes in every game of every player that comes highly recommended by his staff of scouts", I offer.

"Well that guy Tim Tre....."

"Trevor Timmins?"

"Yeah, that's the guy should get a deal like Ovechkin. If he's behind bringing all these young kids in, and ya wanna keep 'em comin' then he's the guy ya gotta keep!"

Mac is 82 years old. His cane is covered in Habs logo stickers.

"Betcha I could hit top corner with this thing", he brags, "Takes out Leafs fan with just one swing!"

Mac and I talked a bit more about hockey - he rarely misses games. Then we talked a whole lot about golf - to my regret!

The old guy makes a great point though, and one I hadn't really looked at in that way before. I starting thinking on the logic of signing a director of scouting long term, and it makes tons of sense in many regards.

First there are considerations of better offers coming Timmins' way. When success is proven, alluring offers follow, and locking up Timmins as New Jersey has done with David Conte assures continuity of thought and process in an organization. With the Devils, Conte swears allegiance to Lou Lamoriello, and I'd be curious to know the details of the scouting directors contract and whether it outruns the manager's deal.

I know that Gainey's contract in Montreal expires in a few seasons. My thinking is both Gainey and the Habs will want the deal extended, but should Gainey decide he is fullfilled, and Timmins contract expires with him, what prevents him from being yanked away in a moment of indecision by an incoming GM?

















As scouts results are often teamed with a GM whose talents enable those skills, scouting staffs often suffer the same fate as coaching staffs when new hands take over.

Another reason to want Timmins virtues around for another decade is that while scouts tend to shuffle from team to team, the directors remain in place longer. They get aquainted with the blossoming of talent in an organization. They speak to it, groom it, and help to guide it along. In all the overseeing duties tied to the task, no one in the organization has a better grip on where every kid is at mentally, physically, and hockey wise. Timmins knows what makes these guys tick better than anyone as he has gotten to know many of them as early as when they were perhaps 16 years old. Losing such an asset would be a killer to the Habs, as there is likely no one set to take over at any given time who has their pulse so finely tuned on the aspirations of the team as Timmins does.

The first two reasons add up to the third, and have to do with the perception of stability from both both within the organization and outside of it. It ties into everything that makes the Canadiens run, from free agent signings, to contract renewals, through player trades, and stretching as far as the players drafted themselves and the scouts who scout them.

Stability and its perception can affect free agents who are thinking about the solidity of the future when prospectively signing in Montreal.

A player facing free agency will be comforted when thinking that the team will remain strong, thanks to a stable of picks overseen by Timmins filling out the team for years.

When another GM calls up Gainey inquiring about a pick manned by Timmins, they might be reassured by his track record, and go the extra length in aquiring the player - which benefits the Habs.

Players drafted by Timmins and the Canadiens are beginning to understand that the team will have them under a watchful and concerned eye as they grow. They will listen more intently to directives knowing this and will go all out to prove themselves knowing that their progression is noticed and justifiably rewarded.

Scouts, the best ones, will always want to work for the organization that best shows off their work. This is how scouts move up in the ranks. They want to work for an organization that utilises their roadtrip homework, parlaying it into NHL'ers that have their name stamped on them. They will want to work for a man like Timmins, and in consequence, an organization like the Montreal Canadiens who retain their draft picks. I makes them look good - it leads to them making more money.

As for Timmins background, one just needs to know that he has had a helping hand in building up the Ottawa Senators, from whom he was plucked away. The Senators repetoire of prospects has hardly been the equal of the Canadiens since. In Ottawa, Timmins worked his way up the ladder into scouting, and the degrees he earned prior remain with him.

He has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, a master's in Business Administration from Queen's University, and a master's in Sports Administration.

He is most definitely a man who rises to the task of challenges. With his accumulated successes, he could easily work outside of hockey, as delegating authority and cultivating particular assests are surely among his talents as well.

Keep your fingers crossed that both Bob Gainey and Pierre Boivin know all this and realize what is at stake.

As Selke once had to make way for Pollock, perhaps Gainey will one day step aside to make room for Timmins. My old friend will hopefully still be around them and I doubt he'll be as upset now as he was then.

Mac, your genial. Next cup is on me!

Perhaps the best bio on Timmins comes from this Gazette article by Pat Hickey, dating back to June 13, 2007

Max Pacioretty On Everyone's Lips

The name of 19 year old Montreal Canadiens rookie Max Pacioretty will be pronounced often between today and the beginning of the Canadiens 100th regular season on October 10.

Pacioretty announced himself in a big way last night, scoring the game's opening goal early in the second period, and notching a second goal to knot the shootout session on the way to the Habs 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

The New Canaan, Connecticut native did so with a panache and style , and was named the game's first star for his effort.

Both Pacioretty goals came on backhands. If Wings legend Gordie Howe, a great empoyer of the back side shot, happened to be watching from Detroit, his thoughts likely echoed those of 21,000 plus fans at the Bell Centre in thinking that "this kid's got game!"

In post game interviews, Pacioretty showed both humility and glee in an assessment of his nights work.

First claiming that he felt he'd played no better than he had so in previous exhibitions, he explained his goals were the benefit of some good luck combined with his linemates solid work. He stated that he felt no particular additional nervousness when asked to be the games first shootout contestant.

In assessing his evening, the young budding star noted that he felt turnovers were still a concern that needing working on.

Being named the games first star capped a dream night coming out party of sorts for the kid, whose father learned of inclusion in the lineup at morning, and drove seven hours from Connecticut to take it in.

Pacioretty's quick rise in the scheme of Habs hopefuls presents the type of dilema every hockey GM wishes to have. The Canadiens, with a lineup practically set in stone, have little room for Pacioretty unless they clear space.

The easy solution would simply be to send the player to Hamilton while letting injuries open the door for him. The problem is that the youngster is ready to play and contribute now, in possibly bigger dividends than current spares the team will carry.















Fans and talkshows in Montreal will be lit with discussions of how Canadiens manager Bob Gainey will proceed on this. Expect names such as Mathieu Dandenault, Steve Begin, Tom Kostopoulos, and even 21 year old Guillaume Latendresse to heat up debates.

It is doubtfull that Gainey bails on Latendresse, a third year player whose upside is still to be determined. Those understanding Gainey's method of decision would be stunned to see him part with future assets in light of 10 looming free agents come the 2009-10 season.

In many eyes, the Pacioretty scenario reminds some of a similar excitement over the rushed assessment of Latendresse three seasons ago. The players attributes have common traits, but Latendresse graduated to a weaker club three seasons prior.


















Should there be an odd man out at forward, it could be Kostopoulos. Not as rugged as Begin, and with less tenure on the club than he or Dandenault, Kostopoulos still has an interesting enough upside to attract a suitor.

Anyone watching how Gainey operates, will see three possible scenarios for making room for Pacioretty.

The first would be the trading Kostopoulos. The second is sending Dandenault down to the minors. The third would involve Pacioretty's patience in Hamilton, while waiting for doors to open.

With respect to veteran Dandenault, Gainey would treat him very professionally and perhaps allow him a say into his own destiny. Gainey is that way with those who rumble not in hard times.


















With respect to veteran Dandenault, Gainey would treat him very professionally and perhaps allow him a say into his own destiny. Gainey is that way with those who rumble not in hard times.

The question will be put to Dandenault whether he wants to remain on the big club in a spare part capacity, play in Hamilton, or be put on waivers.

Dandenault will likely choose a role where he gets to play and be seen, as he is without a contract beyond this season. Gainey will let him address the option while painting a very realistic picture of what awaits him this season in Montreal.

Dandenault has been with the club several seasons, and has a Stanley Cup ring and experience to pass along.

Kostopoulos, for his worthiness and dedication is a consumate pro, but yets a bubble player on this rising club. He has some worth for Gainey in a transaction that Dandenault does not. As he has been with the club but one season, my gut tells me he's the odd man out.

Phil Carpenter, Peter McCabe, and Paul Darrow photos courtesy Montreal Gazette and habsinsideout.com



Amazing save by Carey Price

What The Habs Training Camp Is, Means, And Does

The Canadiens and Sabres tilt in Roberval is a few hours away, and I've got mathematics and possibility on the brain.....

So I'm trying to figure this out.

An abundant 52 players in the Canadiens camp.

Six games in seven nights.

Maybe 23 roster spots.

Almost as many one way NHL contracts.

What gives?

I laughed when one take I read said, "All this time to find out if Kyle Chipchura will make the team."

Chipchura won't. He needs to play. Cut to the chase, already!

So just exactly what is this Canadiens training camp supposed to accomplish in terms of final roster and pre-season preparation.

If I'm the coach, I start with about 30 hopefuls, and give the additional 7 or 8 players a good four games to strut their stuff.

The other 22 young studs time's will come. Show me what you got in Hamilton, where I believe it is a more important priority for them to gel as a unit ASAP, rather than getting a look-see of how they fare against the pros and other NHL hopefuls in preseason.



















Perhaps that's why I don't run the team.

But the Canadiens tend to approach matters differently. They want to see exactly what these guys have got in the tank. There are many ways to measure the skills and gamesmenship of prospects, but this is perhaps the one opportunity when they can be given the chance to show what they can do against established NHL'ers.

So we get to find out how Marc Denis deals with playing behind a dyslexic defense unaware they are screening him.

We get to know that Mathieu Aubin has trouble deking Zdeno Chara.

We may learn a few more useful bits of information from tonight's game against the Sabres.

For myself, there are three main curiosities this camp.

How close is Pavel Valentenko to making the team.

Is there a goalie we could call up in a pinch should Carey Price get hurt.

How ready is Pacioretty, in that beautiful number 67 I hope he keeps, for no other reason than I want it on the ice when the Habs play the Leafs.

Training camp is no longer about getting in shape. Unless you are Kyle Wellwood and have turned into Fat Balloon. Players today show up in shape.

Today's camps are about synchronicity and environment.

The synch is for the vets, the atmosphere for the kids.




















Manager Gainey, prior to camp alluded to the lack of open roster spots for rookies as compared to previous seasons. He spoke honestly that the quality of ready players knocking at the door aren't quite as plentiful as last season and those before it.

In saying such, Gainey also projected to next season and its camp, and stated that many would again be at the door then.

Maybe the notion of having the abundance of players this time, is a nod to getting them prepared for next camp, in terms of best assessing what needs to be accomplished on an individual basis for players over the next 12 months.

That, to me, makes sense. It's not so much about players making the team. It's about where these players stand in rank.

......the Roberval love-in game is in the books, and the Habs have won 3-2.

The 52 players in camp proposition does have it's props after all.

Still I wish I could have seen the most serious greenhorns trimmed down to a half dozen, surrounded by vets.

It would make all our assessments more serene, for now.

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Towels Set To Swirl For Habs Hopes

Alex Kovalev says "Anything is possible!"

Captain Saku Koivu calls this edition of the Canadiens the best since he joined the club as a rookie in 1995.

Optimism at this year's Canadiens camp isn't hard to spot.

It seems it is on the smiles and in the words of everyone, everywhere one looks.
Over a summer consumed with waiting for Mats Sundin to decide if he wanted croutons on his tossed salad, it seems that Canadiens fans were trapped in a forward time warp between anxiety and disbelief.

That all washed over the moment Bob Gainey pulled the trigger on the eve of camp, and brought in a smiling and delighted to be here Robert Lang.

Those not immediately convinced about Lang's attributes - like myself - were quickly swayed upon hearing that the well travelled vet sprung to life, threw his sticks and pads in the trunk, and high tailed it from Chicago to Montreal faster than you can Savardian Spinnarama.

All this glee coincided with a bevy of hockey publication confirming what every fan already knows - that the 2008-09 Habs are built to last long into this centennial season.

Cue Gainey and coach Carbonneau with fever settling wiseness, alerting all concerned that the Canadiens cannot again surprise and that nothing is ever won in advance.

From training camp come stories of a lighter Carey Price, a still energized Kovalev, a quicker Guillaume Lavitesse, and as always a grounded captain Koivu, and you can pretty well deduce where and why the geyser spurts all the optimism one can handle so early in the season.

The puck drops tonight, but don't yank for that towel to wave just yet. After six exhibitions to sort out line combo's, the real deal will get underway.

At that point, it will take another 82 games and then some, to learn whether all this optimism is warranted.

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As An Answer, Robert Lang Poses More Questions

Tired of waiting for Mats Sundin to figure out what he wants from life, Habs GM Bob Gainey yesterday, jumped at the chance to bring in the well travelled Robert Lang to fill in an opening at center. One previously reserved for the indecisive Leaf at large.

This trade announcement, it doesn't quite pack the same punch, dropping down from the bald Swede to the hairy Czech, now does it?

My first thoughts were, "Hold on a minute. Isn't Lang supposed to be the dude that is too old, too slow, too soft, and too expensive for the role of a third line center?"

Like really, isn't this the third coming of Radek Bonk?

I have the gnawing feeling I've seen this movie before.

Admittedly, I can't drink to this. It's a big tall glass of confusion here, with a shot of disappointment for a chaser.

Journeymen players, like Lang, are exactly that, for a reason. I learned that lesson last season, after a brief spark of joy over the Habs adding Bryan Smolinski.

After much excitement in Detroit upon his acquisition a few seasons back, the Red Wings realized fairly quickly that Lang's addition did not bring them closer to the Cup. There's been lots of whispers about him just not having that crucial edge ingredient that makes winners what they are.

It said that when the going gets tough, Lang goes sightseeing!

Yes, Lang perenially posts decent numbers, but it has mostly been on also ran teams that never seem to go playoff deep. That's not comforting at all.

Can Habs fans expect him once again to reach the 20 goal, 50 point plateau?

I say, if we see 15 netters and 20 helpers from this 38 year old, we've struck gold!
















Among Lang's attributes are a rare right handed shot from center, strong faceoff skills, experience, and familiarity with former team mate Alex Kovalev.

In addition to that, Lang is thrilled to be coming to Montreal, of course. He'll be sporting the expression and smile that would have been way more soothing had it been worn by a dithering, follically challenged Viking.

Looking for a silver lining here, it might just be that for the first time in a long time, Lang might not be asked to shoulder an offensive burden with Montreal.

High hopes and weighty expectations of helping carry the club's offensive attack will not fall solely on Lang, and that might help him.

He will likely be pencilled in on a line featuring Guillaume Latendresse and one of either Chris Higgins or Sergei Kostitsyn. While such a line combo offers promise, it will only work as much as Lang's committment works.

As for him seeing ice with Kovalev, that will happen in practice. Coach Carbonneau won't break up the Plecs - AK27 - AK46 line barring an unforeseen drought.

Another of Lang's attributes is his size. At 6' 3", and 215 pounds, it looks as though he fills the club's prerequisit of getting bigger down the middle. What worries me is that size means little unless it is used, and that's contrary to Lang's reputation.

Truly, I cannot pronounce myself one way or another on this latest Gainey move. I have loud reservations. I trust the Habs GM's judgement more often than not, but instinct and gut are telling me this move is a risky one.


















Back about ten days ago, Gainey spoke in analogies about the Habs chances of landing Sundin. Ironically, as Sundin prepared to announce a sponsorship deal with Poker Stars, Gainey compared potential moves to a deck of cards.

Barring a Sundin bagging, Gainey pointed to teams presently over the salary cap limit, and suggested his plan B involved hitting on those teams.

His quote was, "We have cards we can play, but 8, 10, 12 cards down in the deck....that's not a card we want to play."

Is Lang, Gainey's ace? The real deal?

I'm standing still on this call.

I'd rather be raising a Sundin!

Here's a clip of some of Lang's better Detroit highlights. Keep in mind that fans clips such as these, never show a player's low lights.

Get excited all you wish, my verdict comes later in the year!

How NHL Ironman Jarvis Became A Hab

The story behind how current Canadiens assistant coach Doug Jarvis became a Hab is a very interesting tale of Sam Pollock larceny.

Of the many thieveries made by Good Trader Sam, the Jarvis deal rarely gets the limelight perhaps because of the players quiet nature.

Over this past weekend, I picked up Brian McFarlane's "The Habs" reissue ( more on that in a bit ), and the author shed some light on what was long percieved to be just a bad trade on behalf of Pollock's dance partner, in this case, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The roots of the mid 1970's trade actually begin with the drafting of Bob Gainey in 1974, and the unretiring of Ken Dryden one summer later, after a year of articling for a Toronto law firm.

Then Canadiens coach Scotty Bowman, an alumni of the once Habs sponsored Peterborough Petes, was friends with current Petes coach Roger Neilson. One day, they were talking shop, when Neilson mentioned to Bowman that he had a centreman on his team, who not only was the best triggerman on faceoffs in junior, but as good or better than any at the NHL level.

Neilson was speaking of Doug Jarvis, who was in the midst of a season in which he posted 45 goals and 88 assists in 69 games with Peterborough, as a 20 year old.

Bowman took Neilson's recommendation to Pollock, but the Habs GM demurred, stating that he knew of Jarvis from having scouted Gainey thouroughly, two seasons before when the two were team mates.

Pollock felt Jarvis was too small, but offered to send scouts to have a second look to appease Bowman's insistance. When Pollock stood firm a second time, Bowman did not give up, and he kept making his case to his manager.

The Canadiens kept their eyes on Jarvis, but their assessment remained the same. Pollock would not waste a high pick on such a small player.

As fate would have it, Jarvis was selected in the second round of the 1975 draft by the Maple Leafs, 24th overall. The Canadiens had three opportunities to nab the small faceoff specialist, with picks in the 9th, 15th, and 22nd spots, which they used to select Robin Sadler, Pierre Mondou and Brian Engblom, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ken Dryden was planning to return to the Canadiens, and Pollock had an extra goalie on his hands. In dryden's absense, the Canadiens had used all of Michel Plasse, Bunny Larocque and Thomas in goal, and clearly the club would not be carrying more than two with his law student back in the fold.

The happy problem's solution presented itself when the Maple Leafs came calling for the services of Thomas, as they desperately needed a starting goaltender to replace the waning Doug Favell.

Several trade scenarios presented themselves while Pollock stood firm in demanding a first round pick for Thomas, who had fared well as the Canadiens starter one season before.

Leafs GM Jim Gregory was willing to part with the high pick, but wanted a little something extra in return. Gregory set his sights on a Nova Scotia Voyageurs defenseman named Greg Hubick, who was fading from the Canadiens plans at age 25. Gregory wanted Hubick badly, but when Pollock then asked for an additional body to replace Hubick's usefullness with Nova Scotia, the deal hit a brick wall.

On June 17, the parties agreed to a Thomas for a first round pick swap - one for one (12th overall, Peter Lee) - with promises to return to discussing Hubick sometime soon.




















Noting that the Leafs had selected Jarvis, Bowman hit upon Pollock to snare the centerman once more. The GM figured that using Hubick to snatch Jarvis was fairer game than wasting a second rounder, so he called the Leafs back to reopen discussions.

Upon calling, Pollock happened upon Harold Ballard, as Gregory was out of town. Ballard, as is well known, figured himself as good a judge of hockey talent as anyone, so he began listening to Pollock's advances.

The trouble for Ballard was, Pollock saw him coming all the way. The Leafs owner began stringing off names of players, such as aging defenseman Brian Glennie and Jim McKenna, but Pollock countered by saying he just wanted some young kid, it didn't matter who, as long as they could fit into the Voyageurs roster nicely.

After a bit of "Who do you want?", and "Who do you have?", Pollock had Ballard right where he wanted him.

Pollock knew of the many idiosyncrasies in Ballard's demeanor, and how he'd always been suspect of certain types of individuals. One of them - God help him - were Christians of the Born Again nature.

"What about that whatsisname, the religious kid?

"Jarvis, you want him, you can have him!", Ballard offered.

Deal done.

Greg Hubick went on to play 72 games for the Leafs that season, scoring 6 goals. Thomas caught fire in the season's first half, and represented Toronto at the All Star game, where he endured one hell of a shellacking over 30 minutes. He'd never return to form again.

A little over a season later, both had vanished from the Leafs scene for good.

Jarvis meanwhile, was set to embark on a string of four Stanley Cups and 964 consecutive games.

The diminutive Peterborough pivot caught several lucky breaks at his first Habs training camp. Continuously on the bubble for cuts, he managed to impress just at the right moment. Facing Chicago in an exhibition game that fall, Bowman played him against the Hawks Stan Mikita and surprisingly Jarvis took honours on almost every draw that night.

The Canadiens decided to keep him around just a little longer before making Nova Scotia his destiny, when Jacques Lemaire was injured and missed a dozen games.

Jarvis started the season, and did not miss a game for twelve full years. In fact, in one 80 game season, he actually played 82, when the Washington Capitals traded him to the Hartford Whalers in the mid 1980's.

It was there in Hartford that Jarvis broke Garry Unger's streak of 914 straight games played.

Finally, two games into the 1987-88 season, Jarvis discovered a press box for what was both the first and last time. After a short stint in the minors, Jarvis retired to focus on a coaching career.

So much for the small center Pollock felt was too small for the NHL.

To what, possibly, could Jarvis had owed his endurance to?

Who knows, maybe he prayed alot!

Robert L Note: As for the McFarlane book I mentioned briefly at the top, here is my review.

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Is Sundin Torn Between Two Quagmires?

Signs are, that Mats Sundin's summer of torment is coming to an end.

Torment that is, for himself, fans of teams in the hunt for his services, a half dozen general managers, fans of the Maple Leafs, and every handcuffed UFA left unsigned pending the big Swede's decision domino to play or not.

This past weekend has been somewhat of a turning point for Sundin, who has finally appeared back on North American soil since last being seen with a Leaf on his chest.

Over the past few days, Mats has been quoted saying very little once again about his immediate future, but it is his gestures that may bare his state of mind.

Appearing at a charity function in Toronro, and lacing up the skates for a good cause, he clearly spoke of the city, the team, and it's fans in both past and future tenses.

The future in terms of "I hope you still love me long after I have deserted you!".

The present, for Sundin in Toronto, remains a sketchy and untouched proposition. Talks with GM Cliff Fletcher and team associates on the weekend reportedly only cemented the notion that if Mats were to return, it would not be in a Maple Leafs uniform.

Next on his agenda, was a long-time-in-coming sit down chat with Canadiens GM Bob Gainey, who's long been the most patient and persistant persuer of Sundin. Their discussion lasted two hours, which speaks of bases being touched on many fronts, in my opinion.

One week ago, doubts were created that have since been erased, when Gainey admitted concern over Sundin's fitness and lack of curiosity about the Canadiens team. Between Gainey's statement on that day, and events this past weekend, agent J.P. Barry qualified that Sundin is quite informed about the Canadiens past, present, and future, and early today we have found out that it is of Gainey's opinion that his fitness is fine.

For now, Sundin still sits in a cloudy state, on a fence, seemingly torn between retirement and the "one other team" agent Barry cannot yet admit, but we all now know, is the Canadiens.

His quagmire, Sundin repeatedly states, has to do with him needing to feel the necessary motivation to undertake an entire season of hockey at age 37.

But I don't wholly buy it.

I think it all has to do with leaving the Leafs to join the Habs - point blank!.

( Of all the other city scenario's that have been rumoured, I've yet to note one shred of factuality other than Flyers GM Paul Holmgren wishing the speculation would just disappear. The Canucks offer remains tabled and untouched. The Rangers rumours have been nothing more than dust in the wind.)

As a hockey icon, practically a monument in the city of Toronto, that clearly has to be the deciding factor holding things up for a decade long captain of the Maple Leafs.

For Sundin, it is, and must be, a many tentacled question. You can almost be sure that he feels as though a part of himself is betraying some very strong emotions he has long held as a Maple Leafs player.

It's tantamount to treason in some fans hearts, and Mats understands this. It betrays a promise he had made to himself many times, to bring the Leafs the Cup or practically die trying.

Much of his post hockey career may well hinge on the perceptions the hockey fan populace of Toronto retains of him. For a loyal employee such as Sundin, such matters definitely weight heavily in the balance. He will not speak those concerns for fear of livening a debate that will surely taint any decisions he makes.

The tug of war emotionally must be stressing. The more he wins on one side of the equation, the more esteem he is likely to lose on the other. And Sundin would want to be seen in a positive light either way.

Complicating matters even more, is that agent Barry recently revealed that Mats was a fan of the Canadiens growing up. So now there are perhaps two allegiances that run deep.

Talk about your head on collision of emotions.

Montreal and Toronto, are of course, not your run of the mill rivals either. Hate is almost a lame term to describe the levels of animosity that run between fans of both clubs. The conflict Sundin faces internally is almost akin to switching sides in mid war!

The two cities, both bearing team names that attach to them an identity of Canadianism, are often polar opposites. Never mind the battles on ice, there is inherant provincial hatred, political ideologies, the CBC telecast prejudice, and a language issue at the heart of it's flared tempers.

There is no way the Ray Bourque going to Colorado to win a Cup scenario comparisions even come close to this. There would be precious few Maple Leafs wellwishers in Sundin's corner saying, "Hell yeah Mats, you go off and pull on that bleu, blanc, rouge sweater and win yourself a Cup. Make us proud!"

As Sundin is aware of all this, he is also accutely aware that returning to Toronto poses more questions than it answers.

Just recently, newly appointed Leafs coach Ron Wilson brought forth the question of leadership in the Toronto dressing over the past seasons. Could he have been alluding to Mark Messier Leadership Award winner Sundin?

If Sundin wasn't already miffed at the Leafs brass for asking him to wave his no clause last February, here's another bridge severed. And this in a week where they chose to meet with him and talk?

Little wonder he was meeting with Gainey so soon after!

Sundin, who is about to get married, is going through a divorce of sorts on another front.

Anyone who's been down that road will testify how difficult it is to imagine it happening when one is unwilling, neccessarily, to part with the past.

For Sundin, the quagmire has come down to this: The Canadiens or retirement.

A difficult choice to make when confused, but thanks to the Leafs for helping!

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Sundin Didn't Say No

Leave it to Habs blogger J.T. to scoop the entire hockey world on the Sundin saga!

The CBC employed Habs fan, and author of the excellent "The H Does Not Stand For Habs" blog site sure kept a tight lip, knowing the whereabouts of Habs GM Bob Gainey late Sunday evening.

Gainey, making a fan appearance at the Rooms, a Newfoundland provincial museum, seemed a happy soul when revealing the contents of his discussion with Sundin this past Saturday in Toronto.

"I told him to make a decision. I said, if you feel like you want to retire, then retire. But if you're not sure, you should play and the emotion will come."

J.T.'s scoop was revealed on her blog this morning at around 2 A.M. The Gazette sponsored Habs Inside Out picked the story up early this morning.

I had a sixth sense notion that something was going on myself this weekend. Just a real strong feeling!

I wanted to write about Sundin again Sunday night, but it's a road well travelled.

Coincidently, at HIO around 12:30 a.m., I dropped a comment saying, "They met late Sunday night to avoid the spies!"

Little did I know sleuth J.T. was playing 007.

Of course now, you'll want to speed right over to her blog, before ordering you blue, blanc, rouge jersey with a number 13 on it!

Thanks for doing the Habs world a big favor girl!

Habs Chime In On Sundin Saga, New Expectations

Fourteen players from the Canadiens, in addition to team president Pierre Boivin and coach Guy Carbonneau are on the links at Laval sur le Lac this afternoon for a charity golf tournament. Several media caught up with them, including Pat Hickey of the Gazette, and the audio interviews are posted at Habs Inside Out. Carbonneau and Boivin speak about the Sundin Saga, and players such as Mike Komisarek, Carey Price, Tom Kostopoulos, Steve Begin and Alex Tanguay chime in on the expectations for the new season.

I have transcribed the parts of the Boivin and Carbonneau conversations dealing with Sundin questions below. The individual interviews last on average five to seven minutes. Check out this HIO link for more.

Manager Bob Gainey was also on hand, and was asked the obligatory Sundin question that if did not decide by December, then what then?

"Well, we'll start the season and we're going to play our cards that we have available, trying to guess what might be. But ten, or twelve or fourteen cards lower in the deck, that's not a good card to play."

Pierre Boivin treaded carefully over Sundin queries worded for alluring quotes.

"We still have room for him. He fits our team beautifully. He knows that, but at one point, training camp is around the corner, and we're gonna need to get on with our lives".

Do you feel it important to have an emissary there to know that you are still very much foremost on his mind to the point that you...

"No, he knows where were at. He has had multiple conversations with Bob. He has all of the information. You know this is not a beauty pageant, this is about a very mature, very established player deciding about his career and about his life. Nobody is going to twist his arm. We'll see."

The fans are starting to believe this is a beauty pageant and that this is a Prima Donna move. Do you think he risks losing the respect of fans just dragging it out like this, and holding up GM's all around the league?

"I don't think so, once he decides, if he doesn't come back, people will understand that this was a very tough decision for him to take, and probably will understand why it took so long. If he comes back, you know, he'll be in training camp, he'll be at a faceoff in an opening game, and life will go on. People will forget. Whatever city he ends up in, the fans will be happy to have him, and those who lost him will turn the page and move on and focus on the team they have."

There's twenty five guy that are hung up right now and could be pissed off at him...

"That's the unfortunate part. The unfortunate part is that his decision has a domino effect on a number of players, and because of there are a number of teams in the running and options on all sides, and the CBA has no provisions for that, and you know he could not land a decision and decide in December that he's coming back, as did Niedermayer and Selanne did last year, so who knows."

Are you guys philosophically open to a possibility of a player like Mats parachuting in say, December or January.

"We haven't even talked about that. I have absolutely no idea. I really don't know how we would react. I would hope that are teams is complete and that we are winning a lot of games and that we are solidly entrenched in the standings and that we don't want to disturb what going on. But you know we get to the trading deadline in February, and you at you look at how you might be able to take yourself over the top, but frankly we haven't had that conversation yet. So it's one step at a time."

Guy Carbonneau doesn't seem to be losing much sleep over what is keeping Sundin awake at night.

"I had a good talk with Bob at the start, when we decided to try to go that route. You know if he decides to come here, and I think the 29 other coaches that feel the same way, anytime you have a guy like that who is allowed to go anywhere he wants and join a team - you know you're going to be a better team - so obviously we had a little boost at the start, but it's not like everytime I got up in the morning that I was reading or looking at my e-mails. We knew that our team was built at 99%, there was room for him if he wanted to come here, but if he does he does, if he doesn't, we're ready to start."

Do you expect there will be more changes, because there is a lot of cap room left?

"Like I said, I think Bob is always trying to improve, there is still a few guys available, and everybody knows that there are some teams that are over the cap. Some teams are a littler higher than they expected to be, and they have until the first game of the season to make room so you never know what's going to happen tomorrow."

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Gainey Puzzled By Sundin's Indecision

Frédéric Bhérer of Corus Sports caught up with Habs GM Bob Gainey on the golf course on Tuesday.

The following text is translated from a brief interview with Gainey on the subject of Mats Sundin's indecision.

Almost as silent as Mats Sundin has been over the summer months, Canadiens GM Bob Gainey admitted yesterday morning, while participating in coach Guy Carbonneau's golf tournament, that Sundin simply seems uninterested in joining the Canadiens.

"It's tough to be optimistic", said Gainey, "We have not had much contact with him. He doesn't seem interested either way. He has not asked any questions about our organization."

Earlier in the summer, the were several rumours that alluded to Sundin making his decision known by August 1. Since that time, Gainey has had few discussions with the Swedish player's inner circle. The Canadiens GM expects that something will come about between now and next Monday.

"We haven't spoken with them in over a week. There's nothing new as he has not decided anything as of yet. He had told me that he would be making a decision in the month of August, and as it stands, this is the 26th. We will find out, if that timetable is respected, what his decision is by next week."
























For Gainey, there is no doubt, that the Canadiens 2008-09 lineup is built to measure for Sundin.

"We'll wait for word from him until September if neccessary. On paper, we're the perfect team for him. There is a place for him on this team."

Prepared for any eventuality, Gainey's summer shopping list might not be over, considering Sundin turns down the Canadiens advances. A player he eagerly hunted two seasons ago, Brendan Shanahan, does not present a logical option in Gainey's mind. It seems there are other avenues on his mind...

"I know that there are other teams over the salary cap presently. We will see, should Mats not come aboard, maybe will discuss matters with these teams."




























From an additional post at the RDS site, Renaud Lavoie states that Gainey has not closed the door on Sundin quite yet, despite the lack of contact between the parties. There is however, a concern for his off season conditioning.

"I'd like to know if he is in fit shape", says Gainey. "He is a 37 year old player, and it is important for him that it is clear in his head that he is physically ready for a complete season."

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