Les Habitants - A potential cash cow for Rexall Sports?

This is a follow up on this story on TSN about the possible sale of the Montreal Canadiens to le Caisse de depot et placement.

I think it's a bad idea to let the Quebec government and Parti Quebecois to get involved in the financial situation of the team because the example set by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the last few decades by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and the Maple Leaf board is not a stellar one to follow. We won't speak on any of Brian Burke's future moves, but everything since the mid-60s has been hit and miss for the Maple Leafs.

Instead, I would support another private investor coming in and buying the team, or at least the majority shareholding. If the Parti Quebecois wanted to buy some shares I would support a minority shareholding but to let the government get involved in the team would probably introduce a lot of unnecessary red tape to our hallowed habitants.

An example of such a buyer would be... wait for it...

DARYL KATZ.

That's right boys, if we combine the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens, we would have two of the storied franchises in the sport under the wing of Rexall Sports. And who doesn't want that? Imagine buying mini-packs for both teams on discount and flashback Rexall ads with Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, and Ken Dryden on them.

One can only dream.

No Trade Clauses - Don't give em out

Sundin screwed the Leafs. Plain and simple.

He made that fancy speech about not waiving his no trade clause because he didn't believe in being a rental player. Then why the dilly-dallying about where he wanted to sign and not keeping his off-season deadlines?

Sure it's hard to come to an important decision sometimes - but really Mats, Vancouver? It was obvious you weren't going to sign somewhere that was a contender otherwise you would've been in New York, San Jose, Detroit, Boston, or Montreal.

Best fit my left ass cheek.

If he really was serious about contending he wouldn't have had to consider all those offers for so long. It was convenient for him to make his decision after the meeting with Burke in Anaheim, and after Burke took the job in Toronto and made it clear in his "Sundin is not in our plans" speech.

What a load of concocted bull.

Burke obviously cleared the way for Sundin to accept the fat contract in Vancouver that has been causing him to flip flop all summer and for the balance of the season so far.

If he was serious about joining a contender, he would've followed in the footsteps of a Marian Hossa, Markus Naslund, or Brooks Orpik - signing for less to play with the team you believe in.

Mats Sundin stopped believing in the Leafs a long time ago and whether or not Vancouver makes the playoffs, one thing is clear: his career is not going to last much longer and this is his last gasp for air - his last chance to reel in some mega cash. So cut the B.S. and say you signed for the money already.

Even the Globe and Mail agrees with this assessment.

Jesus H. Burke goes to Toronto

Welcome to the hockey holy land: this is where legends are made and GMs are crucified.

Welcome back to Canada, Brian Burke. The hottest hotbed of hockey - the Toronto Maple Laughs. Cliff Fletcher has been doing a good job with this team: don't mess it up. And now the clock is ticking... is Brian Burke really as good as everyone says he is? We'll have to wait and see what kind of deals get pulled off. Does he have another draft day Sedin twins surprise up his sleeve? Or is it going end the same as his last days in Vancouver and Anaheim - in shielded disappointment? We'll have to wait and see.

What will his first move be? Acquire Todd Bertuzzi? Sign Scott Neidermeyer out of his next retirement? Acquire Chris Pronger from Anaheim?

Let's take bets.

(I hope the image is not in bad taste. But if we're gonna call him Jesus and all ... more on this on David Staples' page)