NHL Rumors: Marian Hossa a Step Closer to Montreal?

At the NHL General Managers Meetings in Naples, Florida, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey indicated he was looking for an "impact player" to round out the team, but wasn't convinced it was going to happen. 

Perhaps Gainey was just trying to throw the Habs-hungry Montreal media off the scent, because now it appears Atlanta Thrasher right winger Marian Hossa is a step closer to suiting up in the Bell Center.

According to Montreal French language newspaper La Presse, the Canadiens have apparently ordered equipment in Habs' colours for Hossa, although that doesn't mean a deal is done.

A similar situation happened with the team a couple of years back but the deal fell through. The article does not speculate on what Gainey is offering for Hossa.

Ordering equipment for a potential player makes sense because if a deal is finalized, management would, obviously, want that player on the ice as soon as he gets off a plane. In Hossa's case, the Habs would definitely want him skating in front of the adoring crowd at the Bell Center immediately.  

Whether or not a deal with the Canadiens is imminent, there are other rumours out there involving Hossa and the San Jose Sharks. 

According to the Ottawa Sun, Sharks GM Doug Wilson is apparently offering either center Patrick Marleau or winger Johnathan Cheechoo for Hossa.  The Boston Bruins are also getting in on the Hossa hullabaloo, pitching Glen Murray as part of a package deal. 

Also, on Wednesday, Canadian broadcaster CBC allegedly threw up a story on their website saying the Canadiens traded Michael Ryder and Mark Streit to the Calgary Flames for center Alex Tanguay before quickly pulling it down. 

Nowhere has that rumour or transaction been seen elsewhere since. 

Rumours persist, speculation abounds and the only impact all of this is having right now is on the collective psyches of hockey fans across the continent and in particular, Montreal.  And the trade deadline is still days away.