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The UFA Rumour Chart Here
Talking to a source just now, there is going to be quite the bidding war for the services of John-Michael Liles. The line on Liles is that he came into the NHL and made a huge splash, but hasn't improved as much as many people feel he should have to this point. That will not stop the Canucks or the Bruins however...(also possible but without an official e-rating...Buffalo and NYR)
More to come for sure!
From earlier today...
MARK STREIT
So, many of us have played open hockey right? You know...throw the sticks into the middle of the ice and pick sides. I used to play every Friday at Hatfield Ice in PA at noon. The talent level was all over the map, but there was often one player who was head and shoulders above everyone else.
To even things out, he would usually play defense. But he could still dominate at any point if he wanted to.
On NHL.com's Stats Machine it lists the top five scoring defenseman from this past season as:
Lidstrom 70
Gonchar 65
MARK STREIT 62
Campbell 62
Phaneuf 60
So Mark Streit is therefore tied with Brian Campbell as the highest scoring defenseman in the current UFA marketplace. Streit is actually listed ahead due to his goals being higher...
However, Streit also played offense this season, so those numbers can be deceiving.
In Pat Hickey's Article from today's Montreal Gazette* Streit says: "I know I'll get offers, but I'm hoping to stay here...Montreal gave me a chance to play and I'm happy here. Anyone who knows me, knows that the most important thing for me is to be happy."
Streit is a great guy. Maybe the best player ever to come out of Switzerland. (first of many coming btw, as the Swiss hockey program is really on the rise) but "Hoping" is the key word in this quote.
The general belief out there is that Brian Campbell is going to get at least 6 million per this summer. So how much is Streit worth, and how much of a home town discount is he willing to give?
All I know is that there are teams out there that may give him 5 per in this UFA market that is light on IMPACT guys but glistening with difference makers...I do believe that the Rangers, Sabres and Oilers may all be willing to top 5.
At one point I heard the Habs were in the 3.5 range....the one thing the Habs have right now is an amazing power play, and Streit on the point is key to that. Last summer the Habs lost a HUGE piece to that power play in Souray and didn't skip a beat.
Then there is always the tax issue to a UFA signing in Montreal. The difference betweem 3.5 in Montreal and 5 in Buffalo is larger than you might think...
And just another quick thought. In the new NHL, which is all about transition and speed, could we be seeing the beginning of a trend with Streit? I credit Jay McKee for setting the trend that the best way to defend the new NHL is through shot blocking...In an era that looks to be full of defensemen that were groomed to think d-first, why aren't we seeing more skilled players like Streit being taught to be defensemen? To me a talented player, say a playmaking center, who may be small but has speed, could be easily transitioned into a puck moving d-man. It is going to take at least another 5-10 years before we see defenseman who were raised with the new NHL rules.
Your thoughts?
*******RUMOUR CENTRAL*****
I continue to update a bunch of players from the chart..
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THE E-SYSTEM EXPLAINED IN A NUTSHELL (NOW WITH +I)
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.
+I- This can be attached to ANY (e) rating and signifies that I am told the deal is IMMINENTex: Mats Sundin: TOR (e4+I)
There have been scenarios where a rumour has been an e4 and the deal has not gotten done, and there have been scenarios where a rumour has been an e1 and it has gotten done. Essentially, a good source not connected directly to the deal could still have great info since this whole system references rumours pertaining to ongoing discussions only. A rumour is a rumour only and should not be considered as a fact. REMEMBER OUR #1 RULE: It's all good. It's all fun. It's all Hockey.
*http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=eee23caf-4936-4067-b4d4-53f92fc9c0c5&k=64081
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