Canadiens Trade Rumors

Sundin meets with Rangers management
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December 15
TSN.ca
 
"Mats Sundin has taken another step towards his comeback to the NHL. Sundin, who took in Saturday night's encounter between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils in a private box, met with Rangers brass following the game. The 37-year old Swede and his Swedish representation Claes Elefalk sat down with Rangers' President and general manager Glen Sather, Senior advisor to President & GM and Director of U.S. Scouting Mike Barnett and Rangers' head coach Tom Renney. The meeting was described as relaxed and informal. While the Rangers have not made an offer; team representatives have made it clear that they want Sundin in the Big Apple."
Sundin says no to Sens
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December 14
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Ottawa Senators won't be adding another talented Swede to their lineup. Senators general manager Bryan Murray said yesterday he has been informed by Calgary-based agent J.P. Barry that Mats Sundin, who is expected to make a decision on his destination in the next week, has eliminated Ottawa from his shortlist. While Sundin met with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk twice, he apparently has narrowed his focus to four teams -- the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks. "We're not going to get him. We followed up with (Barry) earlier this week and they told us there were other teams they were focusing on," Murray said."
Sundin shortlist about to get shorter
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December 13
Vancouver Sun
 
"Five teams remain in the hunt for free-agent centre Mats Sundin, although the Swedish star’s agent says that number should be pared down to just two by early next week. “We hope to come to a final decision some time next week if we can,” J.P. Barry said in an interview Friday. “He is definitely going to make a decision before Christmas, but if we can we are going to try and make it next week.” Barry said the next step in the process is to reduce that shortlist from five teams to two. He said he hopes that can be done by “Monday or Tuesday.” The Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers remain in the hunt for Sundin, who is spending ..."
Sundin eyes Dec. 15 to set short list of teams
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December 7
Toronto Star
 
"Former Leafs captain Mats Sundin could soon come to a decision on his playing future, according to his agent. "We are driving towards making a decision by Dec. 15," Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, told the Vancouver Sun. "Right now we are trying to narrow the teams down. I have to ask some questions. There have been so many teams that have contacted us late, so I need to go through the process and make sure I give Mats all the information." Barry said the plan is to come up with a list of three to four teams by Dec.15. From there, the Sundin camp will move forward."
Show Mats The Money
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December 7
Toronto Sun
 (scroll down)
"Free-agent Mats Sundin is ready to get down to dollars and sense. While agent, J.P. Barry, has indicated his client will make a decision by Dec. 15 on where he is going to play this season, league sources told Sun Media yesterday that the former Leafs captain is trying to find out exactly which teams are willing to pony up. While the Canucks still have that two-year, $20-million US deal on the table, the speculation is teams such as the Rangers, Flyers, Canucks, Blackhawks, Habs, Lightning and Senators all have held discussions with Barry, but haven't talked money. The Senators, though not one of the front-running contenders have been aggressive in their pursuit, but it seems doubtful ..."
Kostitsyn might need reality check
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December 2
Montreal Gazette
 
"The book on Sergei Kostitsyn says he has the potential to be better than his older brother, Andrei, but Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau is running out of patience with the 21-year-old Belarusian. "He's been in the league for two years and he acts like he's been in the league for 10 years," Carbonneau said during his post-practice remarks to the media. Kostitsyn found himself on one of the bottom two lines Saturday night against Buffalo. The way things have been going lately, the third and fourth lines have been carrying the offensive load for the team by working hard and creating chances, but Sergei appeared to be sulking and took three penalties, all of which fell into the lazy, ..."
Off The Glass
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November 30
Toronto Sun
 
"Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is ready to dump cash and there are some familiar names available: Patrick Eaves, Joe Corvo and Frantisek Kaberle. Eaves hasn't scored in 18 games this season and has struggled with injuries, while Corvo could be attractive on the market. Kaberle has been offered around for months. The 'Canes may have saved coach Peter Laviolette's job with Friday's 3-2 OT victory over the Philadelphia Flyers ... The talk is the deal to send Chicago Blackhawks centre Michael Nylander to the Washington Capitals isn't completely dead ... Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has been busy working the phones. While he'd like to bring in Mats Sundin, the Habs also need another ..."
Diminutive Desharnais has big NHL dreams
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November 24
Montreal Gazette
 
"Hamilton Bulldogs head coach Don Lever describes David Desharnais as "our little big man." That's little as in short and compact. At 5-foot-6 and 177 pounds, Desharnais is one of the world's smallest professional hockey players. The big refers to Desharnais's heart and the way he plays. The 22-year-old from Quebec City has defied the odds and excelled at every level, from minor hockey to the American Hockey League. And he said confidently that he believes he will get a shot at playing in the National Hockey League. "I know there are things I have to work on," Desharnais said in a phone conversation from Hamilton. "I have to be quicker on my skates, but I'm making progress." Lever will ..."
Habs feel Sundin is key to the Cup
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November 23
Toronto Sun
 
"The Montreal Canadiens want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of hockey in style with another Stanley Cup banner at the Bell Centre. League sources say that's why Habs' general manager Bob Gainey went clear across the country last week to Los Angeles to try to convince unrestricted free agent centre Mats Sundin to choose Montreal as his new home if he does decide to return to the NHL this season. The talk amongst NHL executives is Gainey is under huge pressure to bring a title to Montreal this season. Not only because it's a big year with the celebration, but the club also realizes it has 10 UFA's at the end of the season. "The window of opportunity could close on the Habs pretty ..."
Gainey Meets Sundin In L.A. In Hopes Of Restoring Talks
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November 21
TSN.ca
 
"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 ..."
Gillett denies Habs for sale
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November 9
Montreal Gazette
 
"A report in a Montreal newspaper indicating the Montreal Canadiens are for sale is untrue, according to all the major players involved. "Never, ever, whether in the past or now, have we considered selling or maintained in discussions about selling the team," Gillett told La Presse. "In this centennial year, as we prepare to introduce the All-Star Game and we have the best supporters in the world and an extraordinary team, I do not know why anyone would invent such a story." Research in Motion CEO Jim Balsillie was quoted in Friday's La Presse saying "The team is for sale," with Gillett and the National Hockey League denying that was the case. On Friday, Balsillie's lawyer, Richard Rodier, ..."
Habs rumour denied
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November 8
Toronto Sun
 
"Don't expect to find the words "For Sale" to be stitched on the Habs classic bleu, blanc et rouge jerseys tonight in the spot where the traditional "CH" logo usually is found. From Canadiens owner George Gillett to commissioner Gary Bettman to the camp of Blackberry founder Jim Balsillie, denials were flowing yesterday regarding a story in the Montreal tabloid La Presse, which had Balsillie suggesting the team was on the market. Richard Regier, a Toronto lawyer who serves as Balsillie's spokesperson, said the Research In Motion head claims never to have made that statement, adding Balsillie sent an apology to Gillett. It's never boring in Habsland, is it? Said Canadiens Hall of Famer ..."
Habs not for sale: Gillett
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November 7
Globe and Mail
 
"Canadiens owner George Gillett and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman both denied Friday a report in a Montreal newspaper that there's a For Sale sign on the Canadiens. In a story published by La Presse, Jim Balsillie of Research in Motion said that the franchise was for sale. Gillett, who bought 80 per cent of the club and the Bell Centre for $185-million (all currency U.S.) in 2001, says his office does get inquiries from time to time but he told La Press he hasn't thought about selling. "Never, ever, whether in the past or now, have we considered selling or maintained in discussions about selling the team," Gillett, who also co-owns the Liverpool soccer club with Dallas Stars owner Tom ..."
Kovalchuk to Leafs? It's 'a wild rumour'
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November 2
Toronto Star
 
"Despite rumours to the contrary, Cliff Fletcher flatly denies the Maple Leafs are pursuing Atlanta Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk. "I can absolutely tell you there has been no conversations about any player with Atlanta, let alone the player you mentioned," said Fletcher. Kovalchuk,