Mats Sundin Soap Opera and the Montreal Canadiens

Can I be blunt for a moment?

This Mats Sundin business can only go on for so long before it gives people a headache.  Or maybe I'm just not patient enough for this time of the year in the NHL.

Mere fans should only realize that these players who play hockey are people, just like you and me, and need time to work through the decisions of their lives.

They take their time, not rushing through the free agency period, wanting to match their playing style with a team they think will be best suited for them and their families.

Fans don't realize this.  Sometimes fans don't seem to care.  And with the saga that Sundin has put on, not only now, but also at the trade deadline, I'm tired of being patient for Les Canadiens de Montreal.

According to supposed hockey guru Pierre McGuire, the Canadiens' initial offer floats into the range of two seasons at $7 million per.  Steep price, or not so steep?

Acquiring forward Alex Tanguay may make the decision to go for Sundin a little less hurried or frantic.  Yet, nabbing a forward of Sundin's caliber, along with his unwavering leadership and offensive output, even at an older age, would be something the Canadiens would want to consider carefully.

Think about it—the average age of the Canadiens is not very high.  Carey Price—20.  Mike Komisarek—26.  Guillaume Latendresse—21.  Tomas Plekanec—25. Chris Higgins—25.  Sergei Kostitsyn—21.  Andrei Kostitsyn—23.

With only nine players over the age of 30, the Canadiens could use some veteran leadership.

Who better than Sundin, a captain for almost 10 years.

My major beef evolves from the fact that Bob Gainey said he was going to Sweden, but did he ever get that flight booked?

Did he run out of Air Miles?

I'm all for signing Mats Sundin, despite my prior dislike for the Leafs captain. Yet, this soap opera can only go on until the fat lady sings.

And I can hear someone warming up his voice backstage.