Actually Brett Hull was *very* close to joining the Canadiens. He had essentially agreed to sign with Montreal. The Red Wings, Rangers, and Canadiens were in pursuit and Hull favoured the Wings because they were highly competitive at the time. But the Red Wings offer didn't entice him, and they fell out of the chase. The Canadiens offered Hull a two-year $10 million deal and Hull chose to join Montreal.
"About two weeks ago, when Detroit had left the picture (temporarily), I was firmly committed, I thought in my mind, to signing with the Montreal Canadiens," Hull said. "One afternoon, I called (agent) Mike (Barnett) and I was 100 per cent sure that I was ready to commit to the Montreal Canadiens."
The Red Wings then came back into the picture, offered $9 million and Hull went to Motown.