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.

NHL 08-09 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

EASTERN

RD 1

1.MTL - IN 7
8.BOS

2.WAS - IN 6
7.PIT

3.NYR - IN 7
6.NJ

4.OTT
5.PHI - IN 6

RD2

1.MTL - IN 6
5.PHI

2.WAS
3.NYR - IN 7

RD3

1.MTL - IN 7
2.NYR

WESTERN

RD1

1.DET - IN 5
8.PHX

2.DAL - IN 7
7.EDM

3.CAL - IN 6
6.CHI

4.ANA - IN 6
5.SJ

RD2

1.DET - IN 7
4.ANA

2.DAL - IN 7
3.CAL

RD3

1.DET - IN 7
2.DAL

STANLEY CUP FINAL

MONTREAL V/S DETROIT

DETROIT IN 6

NHL 08-09 Predictions: WESTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION
1.DET
6.CHICAGO
12.NAS
13.STL
14.CLB

PACIFIC DIVISION
2.DALLAS
4.ANAHEIM
5.SJ
8.PHX
15.LA

NW DIVISION
3.CAL
7.EDM
9.MIN
10.VAN
11.COL

NHL 08-09 Predictions - EASTERN CONFERENCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NE DIVISION
1.MON
4.OTT
8.BOS
12.BUF
13.TOR

ATL DIVISION
3.NYR
5.PHI
6.NJ
7.PIT
15.NYI

SE DIVISION
2.WAS
9.TB
10.FLO
11.CAR
14.ATL

First coaches to get fired

1. Therien (Pitt) When? In 1.5 months. Why? They have no defence (Gonchar and Whitney have long term injuries) Crosby will complain about wingers. Even if Malkin and Crosby play together, there are no lines after that. Who? Pat Quinn

2. Tom Renney (NYR), When? By Decemeber. Why? If the Rangers are only around .500 I could see Sather making a move here, just to shake things up. I can see him doing something that would get Shanahan back in the next few weeks, and wait, maybe.....MATS SUNDIN by December!!!???
Who? John Toreralla - he'll finally have his goalie! And a definite contender!

NHL 08-09 Season Kicks-off

Hello everyone,

I'm back after a long delay. I guess the passion was lost last year with another disappointing season with the leafs. 3 years of the same crap can take a toll on a diehard fan. But this year is different, or should I say, the next few years will be different. They (MLSE) finally realised that just making the playoffs is not good enough and that you have to build the core of a team from within - then go buy players.

I like like what Fletcher is doing, and I like coach Wilson style of play. The funny thing is, I think it is similar to what Maurice wanted to do, but for some reason the players got it wrong. Although it is just one game, but if the buds play with this kind of effort, their games will be more enjoyable to watch - win or lose.

The kids: Love Kulemin, Schenn looks like a smart player, Grabovski and Tlusty are looking good as well. Frogren looks like a tank out there.

The regulars: Antropov looks lost without Mats, Blake looks like he's done, Poni will be hitting a lot of posts this year! Kaberle and Kubina will be the teams horses on D. Steen and Stajan might just peak as 3rd liners - a little disappointing, but at least we will finally know where they belong.

Leafs Awards for the season:

Hart: Kubina
Art: Kaberle
Richard: Hagman
Norris: Kubina
Vezina: Toskala
Calder: Schenn, Kulemin TIE
Selke: Grabovski

Players who will likely be moved:

Blake
White
Antropov
Kubina or Kaberle

UBHL

Ottawa beginning to panic?

After last night's disappointing loss to the Montreal Canadiens, another goalie may be on GM Bryan Murray's wish list come trade deadline day.
Ottawa Sun columnist Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators may need to trade for a legitimate No. 1 goalie after Martin Gerber came out with a sub-par performance in arguably Ottawa's most important game of the season.
And then there's Ray Emery...
League sources told the Sun that Bryan Murray has been one of the most active GMs heading up to deadline day.
It's believed Murray has spoken to the Kings, Lightning and Coyotes to see who they will make available should they become sellers. But because of their recent struggles, teams are putting the squeeze on Murray and increasing their asking price.
The Senators might be willing to dangle prospects Brian Lee, Ilja Zubov and Nick Foligno as part of a deal.

Forsberg Update

The Foppa sweepstakes has taken a few more turns this week, as Peter Forsberg's camp has reportedly turned down a handful of NHL teams that have expressed interest in him.
The Nashville Predators are officially out of the running, as the Tennessean reported Wednesday that general manager David Poile said that Forsberg had passed on a deal with the team. Forsberg finished the season with Nashville last year after being acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Dallas Stars are also out of the running. Co-general manager Les Jackson said Tuesday that he spoke with Forsberg's representatives Friday.
"They called back (on Saturday) and said he was going to pursue other options," Jackson told The Dallas Morning News. "I think we made a good effort, but now we move on."

Reports out of Detroit say Forsberg has also turned down the Red Wings while the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames have also been told that he won't be playing for their teams.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche are frontrunners for Forsberg's services, while the Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks remain in the hunt.

Ubuntu Ball Hockey League

Oilers sold to billionaire

THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers have a new owner, pending approval from the NHL.The 34-member Edmonton Investors Group agreed Tuesday to sell 100 per cent of its shares to local pharmacy billionaire Daryl Katz in a C$200-million deal."This is a terrific level of support that will enable us to move forward with the process of securing NHL approval and conclude this transaction," said Katz in a news release.League approval can take anywhere from six weeks to two months.Katz said he also plans to create an advisory board composed of community leaders and former members of the investors group to help steer the team."Having an advisory board lets us capture the best of both worlds. It brings together the vision of an entrepreneurial owner with active and ongoing counsel," said Katz, who will hold a conference call Wednesday to further discuss the deal.His offer works out to $22,000 a share for the 7,492 shares -- an offer that represents a doubling of the original purchase price.
Source: www.sportsnet.ca

Leafs may have no choice but to buyout no-trade contracts

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have no option except to buy out some of the larger contracts if they cannot find a team willing to take them on before trade deadline day.
The Toronto Sun is reporting Mats Sundin is leaning towards playing out his contract and re-signing with the club while Darcy Tucker, Pavel Kubina, Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle have made indications that they will 'dig in their heels' if asked to waive their no-trade clause.
This leaves the club with little option but to buy out some of these contracts as interim GM Cliff Fletcher has said he won't resort to demeaning his players by demoting them or reducing their ice time.
Source: http://www.sportsnet.ca/

Forsberg a Sen?

The longest soap opera of the NHL season may finally be coming to a conclusion as Peter Forsberg has chosen a short list of teams for his return.
The Ottawa Sun is reporting that Ottawa is on the shortlist but the frontrunner is still believed to be Philadelphia.
Despite the list, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is still unsure of whether or not Forsberg is truly committed to returning to the league.
"I honestly don't have a feeling for what his decision will be and I didn't get to see him skate," Holmgren told the Sun. "From talking to him, I am not sure he is ready in his own mind. He doesn't seem to know if he's okay. When he's ready, he'll make a decision."