Globe and Mail (David Shoalts):

Talks between Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey and Darryl Sutter, his Calgary Flames counterpart, were said to be heating up over a swap of forwards. Alex Tanguay is not happy in Calgary and the Habs have Michael Ryder, who is set to become a free agent.

However, Gainey gave reporters the slip when the meetings ended and Sutter employed his best deadpan humour when he was asked about Tanguay being among all the names flying around.

“There are not a lot of names being thrown around,” Sutter said. “So if you’re getting those names, perhaps you could pass them along to me.”

Habster:

If TSN reports are correct (especially coming from Bob McKenzie), then I wouldn’t be surprised if a Michael Ryder and a 1st or 2nd rounder or a Michael Ryder and a prospect for Alex Tanguay trade goes down before the end of the week (if Tanguay waivers his no trade clause). Darryl Sutter wants to rid his salary cap of Tanguay’s $5.25 million so he can sign his key UFAs, Daymond Langkow and Kristian Huselius to extensions before they hit the open market after July 1st. On the flip side, Gainey would love to add another offensively gifted and speedy forward to help Saku Koivu’s line while getting something for his UFA, Michael Ryder who will not be re-signed by Gainey.

I would be very hesitant about giving up a 1st round pick with Ryder in such a deep 2008 draft pool. Keep your eyes and ears open Habs fans because this deal could happen sooner rather than later.

UPDATE: 08/02/20 at 17h50:

I just heard Pierre McGuire talking to the Team’s 990 Mitch Melnick and when asked about the swirling rumours surrounding a Ryder for Tanguay trade, he stated that there was a very strong possibility of the deal happening for the above mentioned reasons. He also mentioned the Flames organization has a history with the Ryder family with Michael’s younger brother, Daniel being drafted by them (he is currently taking a hiatus from hockey).

McGuire also stated that he didn’t have any information from some of his hockey sources which would indicate there was any truth to a Sundin to Montreal rumour. He did reinforce the fact that Bob McKenzie could have heard something when he was in Naples, Florida at the general managers meeting.