Dr.Hockey - 20 most rumoured players

1. Dan Hamhuis.....ufa this summer
2. Alex Ponikarovsky.....ufa this summer
3. Tomas Vokoun
4. Raffi Torres........ufa this summer
5. Ray Whitney........ufa this summer (has NTC, wants extension)
6. Andrew Cogliano
7. Scott Niedermyer........ufa this summer
8. Lee Stempniak......ufa this summer
9. Alex Frolov........ufa this summer
10. Slava Kozlov..........ufa this summer (has NTC, requested trade)
11. Nathan Horton
12. Marek Svatos.....ufa this summer (and maybe Wojtec Wolski???)
12. Garnett Exelby...ufa this summer (no typo on the #, luck related)
14. Dan Ellis......ufa this summer
15. Peter Mueller
16. Toni Lydman
17. Rostislav Olesz (not moveable in my opinion)
18. Cristobal Huet (some interesting rumours out there including a flip to Toronto involving Finger, and a potential deal for Vokoun, other variables not known)
19. Fred Modin.......ufa this summer
20. Tomas Kaberle (continues to insist he won't waive NTC, but we have to keep an eye on him)

Rumours

Here are some spicey rumours for y'al. These are just things I'm reading, hearing, and even smelling. Take them for what they're worth

1. Cam Barker for Scott Niedermyer
2. Jeff Finger (and a younger player, ie Stalberg) for Michael Ryder
3. Marek Svatos to Minnesota for a draft pick
4. Niclas Wallin to the Sharks for ??? (probably a pick)
5. Dan Hamuis for a winger (Steve Ott, Michael Ryder, Raffi Torres, or centre P.Mueller)
6. Ethan Moreau and a pick (3rd-4th) to Toronto for Garnett Exelby or Lee Stempniak
7. Slava Kozlov back to Detroit for mid-late draft pick (3rd-5th)
8. Shawn Horcoff (+ something ie. pick or young player) to Florida for Rostislav Olesz
9. Sabres to..... stand pat.
10. Ray Whitney or Paul Kariya to Montreal for picks/prospects

Lastly, here are the 6 teams that Souray has agreed to waive his NTC for: LA, Dallas, NYR, Washington, Philly, Anaheim.

I don't see Philly, LA, or Washington taking on that salary which carries over to the next couple years. I don't think it makes sense for NYR either but who knows with them. Best bets might be Dallas or Anaheim, or the Oilers might also be stuck, then they'd just have to hope he plays better. Also Dallas is for sale and will only add salary if they can also dump salary, so that probably won't happen either.

Devils a force, need to add a d-man now

NJ brings in Kovalchuk, here's what they're lines will look something like - (Paul Martin should have his cast off in 2 weeks and could rejoin the team after the Olympic break)

Kovalchuk - Zajac - Parise
Langenbrunner - Elias - Zubrus
Rolston - Niedermyer - Clarkson
Pandolfo - McAmmond - Peters/Lablond

Martin - Greene
Mottau - Salvador
White - Salmela/Fraser

Brodeur
Danis

I'd say they'll probably add a defensman at, or before the deadline. Other than that, I guess they're okay. You have to consider them among the favourites now (if you didn't already). They're pretty deadly. Here are some options for them to add on the blueline:

Sheldon Souray - although this is a long shot with the $ involved. NJ was linked to Souray rumors. Now with the Kovie trade, I wouldn't count on this.

Niclas Wallin - some kind of trade is in place with SJ, but as of right now Wallin could still be had. Who knows, maybe the hold up is that Wallin won't waive his NTC for the sharks? If that's the case he's still up for grabs, and he's a great playoff guy, type of guy who really steps it up.

Joe Corvo - decent rental from the Canes, shouldn't cost more than a 3rd round pick at most.

Scott Niedermyer - no NTC, but the Ducks have said that they'll give him the chance to choose if and where he wants to go. A return to NJ could make sense but Anaheim would have to take back some salary to make this trade fit.

Garnett Exelby - NJ can get away with some workman-like defense, so maybe picking up XLB for a mid-late pick is all they need, and I could see them going after a guy like this or someone similar.