Dale Weise is drawing plenty of free agent interest, including from his former team, the Montreal Canadiens.
The Habs rank among 10 teams who are inquiring about Weise’s services, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
If a reunion happens with Montreal, it would have to come at the “right price,” ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports. Apparently the two sides batted around possible contract scenarios before the Canadiens sent Weise and Tomas Fleischmann to the Chicago Blackhawks around the 2016 trade deadline.
Weise knew a move was likely while noting his “love” for Montreal before the trade.
Plenty of Canadiens fans loved him back, in no small part thanks to his recurring role as an unlikely hero. Weise even saw spot first-line duty during the peak of his time with the Habs.
His reps would be wise to emphasize his best moments in Montreal rather than his quiet run as a Blackhawks rental.
56 games in 2015-16 with Montreal: 14 goals, 26 points
15 games in 2015-16 with Chicago: one assist (plus a goal in four postseason contests)
Those flashes of brilliance and his character serve as selling points.
Character is always wanted/needed. Still early and at least 10 teams have expressed interest in Dale Weise. @daleweise22
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 28, 2016
Still, the bigger picture presents a buyer beware, at least for anyone tempted to go the extra mile for Weise. The Canadiens seem to know that, too.