Reichel, whose NHL rights belong to the Phoenix Coyotes, has expressed an interest in playing here, but Kraus made it clear that Reichel, who went to the Czech Republic in 1999 because he wasn't happy with the Coyotes' contract offer, wouldn't be lowering his demands with the Canadiens. In fact, Kraus suggested that the Canadiens would have to sweeten the pot to compensate for the higher taxes in Quebec. That's one of the problems facing Savard when he goes shopping. The other is that wearing the Canadiens' sweater no longer carries the same mystique it once did. A top-calibre player with options is likely to gravitate to a winner and, after three seasons out of the playoffs, the Canadiens don't qualify.
Patience also applies to the sale.
When it was first announced, there was a suggestion the deal would be done in 4 to 6 weeks. That was 10 weeks ago. It's difficult to be more precise because nobody involved in the deal is talking. I read in The Gazette yesterday that the protestors descending on the Summit of the Americas were concerned about the secrecy surrounding the meeting. If that's the case, I wonder why there haven't been protestors at the Molson Centre.