Just click on
The Chart now to see 51 Players with real-time updates and the percentages as to where I see them going based on my numerous conversations. Just like last year, I will not report on any rumors regarding players still playing for the Cup, as you will notice.
A quick education again on the E-System. A higher E-Rating does not ALWAYS translate into a stronger chance that something will happen. The E-System isn't designed to rank rumours, but to inform you of the proximity and strength of a source in relation to the player.
(e1)- 1 reliable source not connected to the team or player
(e2)- 2 or more e1's
(e3)- 1 reliable source with a connection the team or player
(e4)- 2 or more e3's or 1 e3s and more than 2 e1's
(e5)- NOT A RUMOUR, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SOMEONE CONNECTED A DEAL IS DONE.
There have been scenarios where a player has been an e4 and the deal has not gotten done, and there have been scenarios where a player has been an e1 and it has. Essentially, A good source not connected directly could still have great info, and since this whole process is about discussions there is no telling if a deal that is discussed will actually occur.
Now on
The Chart what I do is take all the conversations and rumours that I am hearing and try and give you my speculation as to where the most likely destination is for that player.
The Chart is a whole lot of fun, because I can't always report on all the players, but as I have a conversation during the day that leads me down a path and I can change
The Chart percentages on the fly where I may not get to blog about every little thing. I am tracking 140 UFA's after all..
So as a general rule, what I will do is give you the e-ratings in my blogs along with all the rumours and use
The Chart as a way of putting all that info together.
This is our third UFA year with
The Chart , and it is definitely improving and getting more and more accurate. Last JULY 1 was a VERY good day around here.
Let's look at one player: Mats Sundin as an example of how this all works:
The Rumours I have heard about where Mats may be going are:
Detroit (e1), Vancouver (e3), Montreal (e2), Ottawa (e2), Colorado (e3), Edmonton (e1)
The Chart Percentages are:
Detroit (30%), Vancouver (20%), Montreal (20%), Ottawa (15%), Toronto (5%), Colorado (5%), and Edmonton (5%)
So you may ask me: How can Detroit be and (e1) and yet I think they are the favorite, where Colorado is an (e3) and I have them at 5%? Well essentially someone close to Colorado told me they had an interest and will take a run at Sundin (automatic e3 but I have doubts that Mats plays in Colorado) while a source that isn't connected to the Sundin camp or the Red Wings, but a source I trust who has been VERY good with Detroit rumours and Sundin, has told me that Detroit is almost a lock if Mats does not return to Sweden (and of course, Detroit makes sense for Mats due to proximity, fellow Swedes, and a legit chance to win a Cup should Mats decide he wants to win a Cup.
Of course we all know that Mats could very well be heading back to Sweden, and the general feeling among the fans is that he is NOT returning to the Leafs. I think a return to the Leafs is still very possible depending on who becomes the GM. I don't agree btw that Colin Campbell is the leading candidate in Toronto. I still lean towards Neil Smith, Doug Armstrong, or an interim guy to work with Fletcher until Burke is available next summer.
Rob Blake: LAK (e4), Avs (e2), ANA (e1)
There was some bad blood in LA when Rob apparently only gave the Kings the Avalanche as a trading partner at the deadline.
Ladislav Nagy: Pho (e2), NYI (e2), Pit (e3), Atl (e1)
Jason Williams: Chi (e4), STL (e3), TB (e2), Tor (e1)
Radim Vrbata: Pho (e2), Bos (e3), SJ (e2), Det (e1), Mon (e3)
Mark Recchi: Atl (e4), Nsh (e2)
Ron Hainsey: CBJ (e3), Phi (e3), Mon (e3), Nsh (e1), NYR (e2)
Dan Ellis: Nsh (e4), Ott (e4), Edm (e2)
Steve Montadoor: Buf (e2), CBJ (e2), Pho (e3), Tor (e2), Fla (e3)
Ruslan Fedotenko: Cgy (e3), Det(e3), Ott (e2), NYR (e3), LA (e1)
Sergei Fedorov: Wash (e3), Mon (e2), Cgy (e1), Det (e1)
Daymond Langkow: Pho (e2), Cgy (e3), STL (e4), Van (e2), Edm (e2)
Cristobal Huet: Wash (e4), Chi (e3), NJ (e1)
Pavol Demitra: Dal (e2), STL (e4), Min (e3), NJ (e2)
Brian Rolston: NJ (e3), Buf (e4), Fla (e1), Car (e3), Chi (e2)
Markus Naslund: Van (e2), Pit (e3), Pho (e3), Wash (e2), Chi (e2)
Brendan Morrison: Cgy (e3), Ott (e2), NYI (e3), Car (e1), Fla (e2)
Kristian Huselius: LA (e3), Cgy (e2), Atl (e3), Chi (e2), NYI (e1), Pho (e1)
Wade Redden: NYR (e4), Chi (e3), SJ (e3), Buf (e2), CBJ (e3)
Jay Pandolfo: NJ (e3), Min (e3), Buf (e1), Edm (e1)
Trevor Letowski: Car (e3), Bos (e1), NYI (e2)
Doug Weight: STL (e3), Ana (e1), Pho (e2)
Stephane Yelle: Cgy (e3), Ott (e3), Buf (e3), Min (e2)
Of course, following this evening if some players are eliminated I will put out stuff I have on those UFA's ASAP, (OK?)
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Also coming up: Thoughts on last night, tonight, and the Hockeybuzzcast at 4pm ET
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