HIT THE POST WITH CJAD'S RICK MOFFAT, VOICE OF THE ALS & THE CANADIENS

Mats Sundin plays hockey in Toronto for "Right to Play". Don't it sound more like he should be playing for "Right to Retire"? I said here weeks ago I thought Mats was angling for a January invite to pick up the quest for the Cup. But really Mats...a poker tour of Europe with Borris Becker rather than reporting to training camp? That Ace up your sleeve is looking like a Joker to hockey fans!

Why can't more members of the Montreal media appreciate Saku Koivu for his actions rather than keep dissing him for what he DOESN'T do? Funny how Canadiens management and fellow players had no problem with Kaptain Koivu staying in Finland rather than jet in for the Habs' golf tournament this week...yet some whiners get on #11's case. You don't think its some of the same people upset at him because he doesn't speak "enough French" publicly, do you?

I'm sorry to see the Als waive Kai Ellis, just as he seemed more and more comfortable at defensive end. He moved to middle-linebacker last season at team request and was never a problem in the dressing room. His only problem is his American birth certificate, otherwise Alain Kashama could have been the EX-Alouette to feel the axe.

NO NO NO the Als are NOT talking to Kenton Keith, the former Roughrider turned NFL Colts backup recently cut by Indy. Cobourne's going to be fine.

My CFL spies tell me the Als are trying to bring receiver David Ball to Montreal. All he did was break Jerry Rice's career touchdown record and threaten other key NCAA Rice marks: Most career receiving yards: 4,693 (Ball had 4,655) Most games with at least 100 receiving yards: 27 (Ball had 24. He's been property of the Bears and Jets since coming out of the University of New Hampshire (who's proud alum include former Alouette Steve Charbonneau).

The Canucks are retiring Trevor Linden's #16, which should serve as a reminder that the Canadiens should honour Elmer Lach again by putting his name officially up to the rafters along with Henri Richard's #16. Lach was at one time the NHL's alltime scoring leader, and is a living touchstone to the most glorious era of Canadiens hockey.

I asked Alouette receivers this week what superhero they'd most like to be since Toronto's Arland Bruce pulled out the Spiderman mask. Let the record show Brian Bratton would like to spread his wings at Batman, Jamel Richardson wants to leap and soar like Superman (and threatens to reveal an "S" under his jersey after a TD) while Kerry Watkins would like to be the Matrix. Just don't get caught sneaking masks or capes onto the field, men---that's a 10-yard penalty and a CFL fine. Me? I'd like to glide through the galaxies like the Silver Surfer.