Modified 3-way deal

CBS and the Ottawa Sun are claiming that Tampa Bay is still interested in José Theodore, and are looking to complete a 3-way deal with Montreal and Columbus. They claim that Brad Richards will be sent to the Jackets, Marc Denis to the Habs, and Theodore to the Lightning.

This rumour is even more ridiculous than the 3-way floating around last week between the Habs, Jackets, and Avalanche. The Canadiens wouldn't give up Theodore in exchange for just Denis, especially since they are enjoying a little more stability than earlier this season. I still maintain that Gainey's course of action will be to rest Theodore as long as he can (read: as long as Huet keeps winning), and then hope that Theodore comes back to the ice refreshed and refocused. As inconsistent and awful as he's been this year, José Theodore is not going anywhere. Thought I'd post this trade talk anyways, but don't put much credence into it.

Update: With the losses of Adrian Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski respectively, the Blackhawks and Canucks are supposedly interested in Sheldon Souray, and have also been sending scouts to recent Canadiens games. I doubt Souray will be dealt unless Gainey is able to acquire a higher-calibre defenseman in return, but don't take this as an endorsement of Souray's play this season - he's been mistake-prone and defensively liable much of the time.