The Canadiens' continuing failure to secure a big centre has left general manager Bob Gainey with a sizeable dilemma.

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The Habs tried in vain to acquire Vincent Lecavalier from the Lightning during the weekend.

Photograph by : MIKE CARLSON, REUTERS FILE PHOTO

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Gainey has some decisions to make in the next few days because the Canadiens currently have only two centres under contract - Maxim Lapierre and Glen Metropolit.

Gainey had hoped to trade for a big centre during the National Hockey League entry draft on the weekend, but it was one of the quietest drafts in recent memory, with the Canadiens general manager describing it as a logjam.

Montreal's hope was to land île Bizard native Vincent Lecavalier, but Len Barrie emerged as the winner in his personal feud with Tampa Bay co-owner Oren Koules and vetoed any deal involving Lecavalier. As long as Barrie holds the veto power and the Lightning remain solvent, Lecavalier isn't going anywhere.

The result is that Gainey must move on to Plan B, but identifying Plan B might be more difficult that implementing it.

After the Lecavalier deal fell through, Gainey noted that there was no hurry to find a big centre, noting that the season doesn't start until Oct. 15. But there are some decisions that have to be made in the short term.

For starters, Gainey will talk with Saku Koivu's agent, Don Baizley, today. The Canadiens might feel that they need an upgrade at centre on their top line, but can they afford to take the chance of losing their captain without some assurance they can sign someone better? This much is certain: Koivu will get other offers if he's available on Wednesday.

Tomas Plekanec is a restricted free agent and can be dealt with after July 1, and there has been no mention of what plans, if any, the Canadiens have for Robert Lang.

It's easy to say he's not priority because he's 38, is coming off any injury and might want too much money for too many seasons. But it should be noted that the Canadiens' slide last season coincided with Lang's injury.

The Canadiens must also deal with potential UFAs Mike Komisarek, Alex Tanguay, Alex Kovalev and Mathieu Schneider.

It will be a surprise if Komisarek is back. The Canadiens have made him what they consider a fair offer, believed to be in the $4 million a year range for four seasons. But all it takes is one team to top that figure and he's gone. Komisarek's agent, Matt Keator, isn't a believer in hometown discounts.

Talks are ongoing with Kovalev's agent and he's expected to return, but there has been no news on Tanguay. He has some added value as a French-speaking player on a team that seems prepared to part with Francis Bouillon, Patrice Brisebois and Mathieu Dandenault.

The next two days will determine what Gainey has to do in regard to other team's free agents. But he has already determined that, while there are players available, there are no big centres.