Sorry a little late going today...Let the wife sleep in and took the kids shopping while catching up on my phone calls...
As predicted yesterday, the Coyotes made a deal that at first glance many people are looking at like a win for the Hawks. I was told Vrbata is part of another deal that is in the works involving the Rangers. The Coyotes are going to be the most active team in the next few weeks with the Rangers, Leafs, Islanders, Oilers and Flyers all talking to the Yotes. And those are just the teams I know of...
A source has told me that we may very well see another Islanders signing this week. The key name that I keep hearing is Jason Allison. I have been hearing from very good sources that the Isles have liked Allison for the past few years and even tried to trade for him in a deal that would have sent Niinimaa to Toronto two years ago.
Another source has told me that the the Lightning and the Canucks are "the next likely to pull off a blockbuster." The Lightning need D and a the Canucks need O. Pretty easy to connect those dots...One source, who I can never tell if he is speculating or giving me hints (he has done both), said "Look into a deal that would send Ohlund and the Cory Schneider to Tampa for Marty St Louis and a goalie prospect...maybe Kosheckin"
"Pretty specific for a hint," I joked....
"Just look into it, "he laughed...so I am...
Finally word is the Oilers are interested in Stephen Weis.....
The Habs are also still pursuing Horcoff and Marleau as options...
The Leafs are talking to Phoenix and now Columbus about Kubina. That is coming soon, and if it doesn't happen by Thursday or Friday I am told "another route will be taken."
The following is posted with only a few minor tweaks...
(make a game of finding "what's changed." :))
THE HOCKEYBUZZ UFA RANKINGS
1. Peter Forsberg (Nash, Ottawa, Col, Van, Phi)
2. Teemu Selanne (Anaheim, Philadelphia, Montreal)
3. Danny Markov (Washington, NY Islanders)
4. Mike Peca (Rangers, Toronto, Carolina)
5. Andy Sutton (SIGNED WITH ISLANDERS)
6. David Tanabe (Columbus, San Jose, Anaheim)
7. Bryan Berard (Pittsburgh, NY Islanders, Tampa, Atlanta,)
8. Mike Johnson (Nashville, NY Islanders, Buffalo, Phoenix)
9. Eric Lindros (Vancouver, San Jose, Calgary)
10. Brent Sopel (Colorado, San Jose, Anaheim)
11. Jason Allison (Vancouver, NYI,)
12. Nils Ekman (Detroit, NYI, Toronto, Pittsburgh)
13. Robert Esche (NY Rangers, San Jose, Anaheim)
14. Jeff Friesen (Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Florida)
15. Sean Burke (NY Rangers, Anaheim, NYR, Dallas)
16. Tony Amonte (Boston, San Jose)
17. Alex Auld (Phoenix, Edmonton, tampa)
18. Josef Vasicek (NYI, Atlanta, Dallas, Philly)
19. Ossi Vaananen (Columbus, Boston, LA Kings)
20. Janne Niinimaa (Columbus, Detroit, Nashville )
21. Jan Bulis (Vancouver, Nashville)
22. Anson Carter (Colorado, Vancouver, Washington, Buffalo, Atlanta)
23. Darren McCarty (retire, Detroit)
24. Ed Belfour (NYR, Ottawa, Carolina)
25. Jeff O'Neill (Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Carolina)
26. Adam Hall (Pittsburgh, Boston, San Jose)
27. Curtis Joseph (Toronto, Florida)
28. Jason York (Ottawa)
29. Patrick Stefan (Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Florida)
30. Nolan Pratt (Dallas, NY Islanders, Chicago)
Some Updated Trade Rumours
Gerber > Phoenix (e3), LA (e1)
Warrener > Buffalo (e3)
Marleau > Montreal (e3), Ottawa (e2), NYI (e2), Tor (e3)
Raycroft > Phoenix (e3), LA (e2), Tampa (e2)
Kubina > Phoenix (e3), LA (e3), NYI (e2)
Jovonovski > NYR (e3), Florida (e1)
Reinprecht > Detroit (e2), Columbus (e2), Tampa (e1)
Morrris > Buffalo (e3), NYI (e3), SJ (e1), PITT (e3)
Montoya >LA (e3), PHO (e3), Tampa (e1)
Gauthier > PHO (e2), LA (e2), Calg (e2)
Umberger > Columbus (e3), Ottawa (e2), Vancouver (e1)
Glenn Murray > SJ (e2), Col (e2)
Bryzgalov > TAM (e3)
Spacek > SJ (e3), Chicago (e2)
Paul Martin > SJ (e2), PHO (e3)
Elias > Van (e2), Min (e2), Ana (e1)
Jussi Jokinen > FLA (e2), TOR (e1), NYI (e1)
Horcoff> Mont (e2), Tor (e1), Pitt e(1)
Vrbata > NYR (e3)
Ohlund> Tampa (e3), NJ (e3)
St. Louis> Vanc (e3)
More Rumour Updates in a bit here
To get real-time updated team by team percentages on these possible UFA ranks go to
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