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UBHL 2009

Bobcat of Fan590 hints Sundin to the Rangers

As heard on 'Primetime' with Bob Mcowan on the Fan590 reports from a 'source' that Mats Sundin has decided on joining the New York Rangers!

As part of the rumor, if his salary demands are high enough, the going rumor is the Rangers might dump a player, or players to the Dallas Stars, for "future considerations." And those future would mean picking up Sean Avery at the end of the season.

The next few days should be interesting.

Teams interested in Mats Sundin

Source: Derren Dreger, TSN, http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=259072

Mats Sundin will be in New York on Friday for a promotional obligation he has with PokerStars.
Although nothing has been finalized, it's likely Sundin will meet with the New York Rangers to discuss interest the Rangers have in the 37-year-old unrestricted free agent.
The Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are the four teams believed to be in the final mix - a dynamic that isn't expected to change unless another team enters the sweepstakes in the eleventh hour.
Provided things stay the same, and no "dark-horse" teams emerge, here is the believed order of ranking among the four teams vying for Sundin's services:
1) Vancouver Canucks
2) Chicago Blackhawks
3) Montreal Canadiens
4) New York Rangers
There are no salary cap issues in Vancouver, and a two-year, $20 million offer remains on the table. Sundin could simply sign a contract and resume his career with no strings attached, or very few.
However, Sundin isn't expected to agree to a contract beyond this season, which will allow him to reassess his motivation to return next season at the end of the year.
The Blackhawks have cap problems and, like the Canadiens and Rangers, Chicago would have to move players to make room. However, with ongoing speculation the Hawks may be willing to trade or move big name players like Nikolai Khabibulin or Martin Havlat, Chicago ranks high.
The Montreal Canadiens remain in contention. General manager Bob Gainey's ongoing interest proves a willingness to make the necessary moves to clear space, but the idea of Sundin - a longtime Maple Leaf and former Leafs captain - playing for the rival Canadiens is something that some say is an issue for the veteran player. However, Sundin has been impressed with Gainey's approach and, more importantly, how Gainey has managed Montreal into a contender.
The New York Rangers could move from fourth to first, but to do that New York will have to get a lot more aggressive....and soon.
The market shows, even on a pro-rated basis, that Sundin will command between seven and 10 million dollars.
If the Rangers can't find a way to match the offers expected from the other three teams, or aren't comfortable disrupting their roster to make room for what could be a rental player, then Sundin will likely lean towards either Vancouver or Chicago.

Mats meets with Rangers

Mats Sundin has taken another step towards his comeback to the NHL.Sundin, who took in Saturday night's encounter between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils in a private box, met with Rangers brass following the game.The 37-year old Swede and his Swedish representation Claes Elefalk sat down with Rangers' President and general manager Glen Sather, Senior advisor to President & GM and Director of U.S. Scouting Mike Barnett and Rangers' head coach Tom Renney.The meeting was described as relaxed and informal.While the Rangers have not made an offer; team representatives have made it clear that they want Sundin in the Big Apple.The Maple Leafs all-time leading scorer is hoping to make his decision in the upcoming week. It is believed that the list of teams in the running has been whittled down to four teams: the Rangers, the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Montreal Canadiens.

Source: http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=259737&lid=sublink05&lpos=headlines_nhl

Avery Sent Home

Dallas Stars say that forward Sean Avery will not return to the team
December 14, 2008 - 15:17 THE CANADIAN PRESS

DALLAS - Sean Avery's stint with the Dallas Stars lasted just 23 games.
The NHL team announced Sunday morning it was done with the feisty winger, noting that it was time for the Stars to have "closure on this episode."
Avery received a six-game suspension from commissioner Gary Bettman after saying earlier this month that other NHL players are after his "sloppy seconds." While that ban ended when Dallas played in Nashville on Saturday night, Avery will not return to hockey until the Stars can find somewhere else for him to play.

Read more: http://fan590.com/news/sports/more.jsp?content=s121447A

Gaborik Rumors

Source: www.spectorshockey.net

Marian Gaborik speaks out on the trade rumors swirling about his name, the salary cap could limit his potential destinations, and the latest on the rumored interest from the Canadiens.
PIONEER PRESS: John Shipley reports Minnesota Wild forward Marian Gaborik remains as much in the dark over his future as the fans, adding he doesn't know if there's any truth to the trade rumors because he doesn't know anything about them. Contract talks between Gaborik and the Wild remain at an impasse.

MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: Jim Souhan reports the Wild could find it difficult to move Gaborik now as teams struggling with the salary cap are unlikely to offer up what Gaborik is worth. Souhan suggests moving Gaborik at the March 3rd trade deadline makes the most sense. "That presumes, though, that Gaborik will be healthy and productive enough before the March 3 trading deadline to incite a bidding war for an injury-prone player asking for big money in a league filled with teams pushing the salary cap" writes Souhan.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey reports "you can discount the rumours that Gaborik is headed this way (Montreal) for Christopher Higgins and Jaroslav Halak", citing the Habs lack of available cap space for Gaborik's salary, team chemistry "and the advisibility of giving away Halak, who's off to a strong start".
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Souhan and Hickey are merely pointing out what I've been saying for days now: Gaborik's salary and injury history will make him tough to move this early in the season. If the Habs are interested as rumored it'll cost a helluva lot more than Higgins and Halak, and quite frankly, the Wild have no reason to acquire Halak given they possess a strong goalie tandem in Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding.