June 22, 2008 | 11:10am ET
Sundin bound for Montreal? TheFourthPeriod.com
If the Montreal Canadiens can work out a contract with Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, they might not need to hand over the farm in order to get him.
On Friday, the Habs and Leafs worked out an arrangement in which the Canadiens have the exclusive right, among the rest of the league, to negotiate a contract with Sundin. If the two sides agree to terms on a deal, Toronto will trade their captain to Montreal.
Canadiens GM Bob Gainey told TFP the first few days after the "arrangement" was agreed upon will be used to familiarize Sundin with the team and then discuss a contract.
Providing the two sides work out a deal, the Habs will compensate the Leafs. Both Gainey and Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher would not discuss the contents of the potential trade.
Various reports suggest the Habs offered forward Chris Higgins to Toronto in exchange for Sundin at the trade deadline. Speculation throughout the draft suggested the two sides have worked out the same deal, however sources tell TFP that may not be the case.
Sundin, who has reportedly been offered a one-year, $7 million contract from the Leafs, could be shipped to the Canadiens in exchange for a second-round pick and prospect Mikhail Grabovski if a contract is worked out with Montreal.
According to the Toronto Star, Gainey will travel to Sweden this week, likely Wednesday, to meet with Sundin.
"Anything is possible," Gainey told the paper. "Mats may decide (his future) today, or Monday."
"Fans in Montreal supported us in good and bad times. If we can improve our team, that's the goal."
There has been a boat load of talk surrounding Mats Sundin here at the draft in Ottawa. Perhaps it's because I'm based in Toronto and cover the Leafs? Nevertheless, it's looking like a very realistic possibility that fans could see No.13 in the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge this October. According to one source, Montreal is one of a tiny list of teams Sundin would consider playing for next season, Detroit and Ottawa being two others. Sundin wants to stay close to home, and home for Mats is Toronto -- at least during the hockey season. We'll know much more later this week, and an answer, one way or another, could come as early as Monday, which would save Gainey a long trip.
