You guys wanna talk Habs? I'll lay the groundwork, because I'm eager to hear what you all think, but I'll be back with some major input on this weekend's transpirings.

-Alex Tanguay replaces Michael Ryder...Anyone object? Didn't think so...Tanguay comes for the 25th pick, and a second round pick in next year’s draft.

-Bob Gainey has obtained exclusive rights to sign Mats Sundin before July 1. He will travel to Sweden, as early as Wednesday. He has the cap space to overpay if he has to. Cliff Fletcher anticipates the next couple of weeks will be very exciting times for his franchise. If I were a betting man, my savings would be down on #13 in bleu, blanc et rouge, as it's rumored that Mikhail Grabovski will be the player on his way back to the Leafs should Gainey and Sundin come to terms on a contract.

-Timmins gushes to Gazette writers about the Canadiens 2008 picks, despite no first rounder. It seems the Canadiens continue to be content picking up talent keen on taking the US college route. With the transfer agreements in Europe completely up in the air, and an emphasis on going after "coachable" players, it's apparent the Canadiens have found value in US development program. Right-winger Danny Kristo from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was picked in the second round 56th overall. After Ryan Macdonagh and David Fisher, Kristo becomes the third Minnesotan picked first by the Canadiens in the last three years. Montreal's next pick Steve Qualier, 6"3 USHLer, is noted as a great skater for a big man. Jason Missiaen, a 6"8 goalie from Gainey's hometown Petes is pumped to be a Habber. Timmins refers to Maxim Trunev as the sleeper of the draft, and claims he's cut from the same mold as Sergei Kostitsyn. Trunev is a skilled 5"11, 174 pound forward on his way to the Q to polish his English, and work on adjusting to North American hockey.

-Cap will go to 56 mil, and the Canadiens are sitting close to 42, with 17 players signed. Josh Gorges, Andrei Kostitsyn, Ryan O’Byrne, and Jaroslav Halak need to fit under the max. Mark Streit seems unlikely given what the market will generate for him. If the Canadiens do lock Sundin into a contract (and mark my words, if he doesn’t elect to retire he’ll be a Hab) you can almost certainly forget about Mark Streit.

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