July 3, 2008 | 11:57am ET
Habs offer Sundin 2-year deal TheFourthPeriod.com
According to Montreal's La Presse, the Canadiens have offered free agent center Mats Sundin a two-year contract worth $7.5 million per season.
The Habs, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers were hoping to get an answer from Sundin yesterday, but he notified all teams that he's not ready to make a decision.
While the Canucks' offer of two-years and $20 million is much more aggressive, La Presse reports Sundin is more inclined to remain on the East Coast, as the travel schedule is less demanding.
La Presse suggests the Canucks might be forced to go in another direction the free agent market is thinning out.
The Canadiens, however, have less pressure as their roster is more or less set for the 2008-09 campaign.
While the Habs may pursue another player, they appear ready and willing to wait for Sundin.
And wait they must.
The Toronto Sun is reporting Sundin might not make a decision for another month.
"It is more likely to take a month than a week before Mats knows himself what he will want to do," Claes Elefalk, who represents Sundin for CAA in Sweden, told the Sun. "Right now he simply does not know what he wants to do.
"In one month, his answer could very well be 'no' to everyone. It could go much longer. He is still uncertain whether he wants to play any more.
"He is aware the hockey world is in full spin. But he's not ready and he can't let anyone on the outside affect him."
Hmm. I've been backing Mats for a while now, but dontcha think you've had enough time to mull things over? It's not like the Leafs were in the playoffs. Sundin's had time to think, but he's always been one to take his time. He won't rush in to anything until he's 100% certain.... Where have I heard this before? ..... Oh yeah! (Forsberg, anyone?).... Maybe something's in the drinking water in Sweden?.... Regardless, I do understand where Sundin's coming from. Let the man take his time. The Habs appear willing to wait. That should be a good indication of their interest levels. The Canucks may have no choice but to move forward and pursue Pavol Demitra and try to bring back Markus Naslund. The longer the North American fans and media wait, the more stories will pop up. For Mats, back home in Sweden, he's taking things one step at a time.
