The Montreal Canadiens may not be done wheeling and dealing to perfect their 2009-10 roster.
Sun Media reports that the Senators are still shopping forward Dany Heatley, and while pundits speculate his likeliest destination is San Jose, a third team may have to get invovled because the Senators want the perfect package of players in return for their star. That third team could be the Canadiens.
Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray said via e-mail that he "could have an option" in terms of a trade, and a league source said the Canadiens could be a component of that option.
The source also reports that Ottawa rejected a package that includes Jonathan Cheechoo; instead, the Senators may be seeking Sharks captain Patrick Marleau, but he's not on the table — yet. It is unclear how much Montreal could help the situation, considering it is coming up against the league's $56.8 million salary cap.
A league executive told Sun Media, "If the Sharks don't have what the Senators want, then [Sharks GM] Doug Wilson might have to go get it from another team. The Senators want a proven scoring winger in return and that means you might have to get a third team involved."
Could this be a way for the Canadiens to unload some salary and make way for yet more additions to the roster?
Heatley, 28, has spent four of his seven NHL seasons with the Senators. In 2008-09, he registered 39 goals and 33 assists with a minus-11 rating, and he tallied 50 goals in both 2005-06 and 2006-07.
