Warning!

1) We are not sure even if this post will see the light of day. A well placed source has told FAUXRUMORS that our long time nemesis Hockeynutz has already taken control of the ID/identities of several long time faux rumors contributors. We are told it is only a matter of time until we suffer a similar fate.

2) We want to assure ALL out faithful readers that we will do whatever we can to avoid this and if the worst happens will WILL be back and make every effort that nothing like that occurs ever again! We will e-mail all out long time readers/contributors if that happens and we WILL return within a week or two! You can take that to the bank!
Thanks once again. As always, keep it here for all the latest!

First Domino

1) Anson Carter is on the move again. Will today's deal in which the Carolina Hurricanes have acquire the veteran winger from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in 2008 be the first domino to fall?.
2) It may be a single isolated trade, but our sources tell us that the flood gates are soon to break and several deals are all but to be announced within the next 24-48 hours. As mentioned previously it appears the Blues will be very significant players, and we're told that at least one of the 3 Blue players certain to be moved could be soon announced.Stay tuned as these devlop for in depth analysis

Another Dead on!

1) Firstly we want to congratulate FAUXRUMORS for getting yet another trade rumor dead on. Coming off getting the Stuart deal a week in advance today we had the Coyotes trading forward Nagy to the Stars. As many of you might recall FAUXRUMORS discussed this deal way back during the All Star break, a full 3 weeks ago!! Great job guys!
2) ANTZNARCHING along with ourselves will be conducting a new poll shortly with a list of folks we feel are the biggest underachievers/over rated players in league history. Feel free and e-mail/post your thoughts on who you believe should be in this poll.As always keep it here for the latest!

More Forsberg Discussion

1) The Forsberg sweepstakes are really starting to take off. Apparently Peter has been given the assurances that he demanded before any deal could be consummated. With his no trade clause and being a UFA after the season he holds ALL the cards on this one.

2)So what specifically does he want? Well, he wants to remain a Flyer, but wants a lucrative extension with a new no trade clause in it. If a trade is made you can be certain that this has already been worked out between the Flyer organization Peter and his agent. Of course its not official, as that would amount to tampering, but as we saw with the Recchi and Weight 'rentals' last season, hand shake rental deals are now the dirty, not so little secret, of the new NHL.

3) Our sources within the Flyer organization tell us they are now going to use the short list that Peter gave the team and sell to the highest bidder from among those squads. That list which we have exclusively obtained contains 4 teams: Not surprising the Red Wings to who most have Forsberg going to. They possess about a 1/2 dozen fellow Swedes. The Predators. Who's GM David Poile has shown in the past to be a very aggressive GM around the trade deadline. They also have quite a few good prospects to deal. The Caucks who Peter would potentially be reunited with buddy Naslund. Morrison is the player rumored going the other way. Lastly, the Avalanche. mainly due to Peter having fond memories playing there with Joe Sakic. Their playoff hopes are on life support right now so a deal for Peter could place them back into the hunt.

4) Our sources tell us this is more likely to happen sooner rather than later as the Flyers want this deal over and done with to remove the distraction, and so Holmgren can concentrate on other potential deals. Keep it here for the latest inside information as it becomes available

Blake Followup

1) Just wanted to follow up what we mentioned in our post:
http://fauxrumors.blogspot.com/2007/02/februray-6th-update.html#links where we discussed the Jason Blake contract issue. Apparently the problems we alluded to have become public which is NOT a good sign. Islanders owner Charles Wang is very sensitive to criticism vollied his way and despite Blakes statement that he like Mr. Wang. his public statement that he will pursue free agency if a deal isn't struck soon did NOT endear him to the Islander's owner

2) Apparently Blake is holding firm to a 5 year deal at about 4 million/year. The Islanders would probably be OK with that or perhaps slightly less money, but are unwilling to go beyond 3 years. Our Islander source tells us, "Blake is 33 and probably peeking now." Wang perhaps learned from his Satan deal where he gave the free agent forward one too many years and is now in decline

3) Are the Islanders finally learning? After a decade contract for Yashin, and the amazing 15 year deal for goalie Di Pietro, are the Islanders finally seeing the error in their ways. Well yes and no our source tells us. The source is certain that if given the chance Wang would offer Yashin/Ricky the same deals again. He's just less likely to offer lesser stars long term deals

4) So what will happen? Our source tells us that 10 days ago it was "80:20" that Blake would be resigned. ( The same source told us it was 90% in January) Now its closer to 50:50, and as each day goes by the percentage goes down. Our sense is if Blake isn't signed by ext weekend, Snow will open up the bidding.

Two Minor Deals Today

1) Just a prelude to bigger deals to come or will this be the trend of teams trading salary for like salary. Dumping unwanted trash. So far that's what can be said of the 2 deals so far today. The Hurricane re-obtained underachieving Czech forward Josef Vasacek from Nashville for center Eric Belanger. The 6'5" Vasicek has been a disapointment in his first go around with the 'canes. Frequently in coach Laviolette's dog house. Its surprising they decided to get him back. We guess it was a case of 'better the devil you know....'.

2) The other minor deal today involved the Minnesota Wild dealing their seldomly used forward Pascal Dupuis to the Rangers in exchange for Adam Hall. We have a feeling this isn't the deal Ranger fans were expecting. They will be disappointed in this acquisition as Pascal is NOT the answer to their most pressing issues, better defense, a second line center!

3) A note that none of the rumor mongers had this one on their radars (when do they have any?) We're sure they'll take this opportunity to let us know that these are the prelude to some real deals, or that these are setting the tables in NY for their big deal, etc. As always come here to FAUXRUMORS for all the latest rumors, commentary, etc. Unfiltered, and not afraid of the truth.

A Fine Mess

1) We at FAUXRUMORS found it quite interesting to read that apparently Mark Messier is going to hire himself as Glen Sather's replacement as GM of the N.Y. Rangers. In fact when interviewed Sather himself found it both interesting and amusing. Stating among other things:"Mark is free to say what he wants, but I have no plans to change jobs". He then threw a back handed jab at mark when he alluded to the need to have experience before taking on such a position. Messier to date has no hockey managerial experience, nor any business training at all that we are aware of

2) We're told the Messier comment took the entire Ranger organization totally off guard. It would be a strange way to try to lobby for a position that ostensibly isn't available. Going through the media would seem the wrong way to go about things. One Rangers source tells FAUXRUMORS that "If Mark thinks all he has to do is ask and the job is his, he's going to be sadly mistaken". If anything this public statement will hurt Messier's chances.

3) Those who know the former Edmonton/NY/ Canuck forward know he has quite the ego, and its likely as one former teammate said to us yesterday that "Mark really thinks he can do whatever he wants, and so far in his life, has".

4) The puzzling aspect of this story is that the initial report in the Toronto Sun had quotes from Sather that indicated that he and Messier had already discussed this possibility, and that they would discuss it further after Mark's sweater ceremony in Edmonton later this month. However later interviews with Sather seem to contradict that earlier story. From what we have gleamed from our sources it appears that Messier has jumped the gun more than a little.

5) We won't deny Messier's significant on ice accomplishments, but since his last Cup win in 1994 his persona has taken a bit of a hit. Ask any Canucks fan what they think of Messier. We remember the number of negative e-mails we received after the NHL created a new leadership award after the bald former star. Even many Ranger fans are a bit sick and tired of his omni presence in the city that never sleeps. One told us last month. " Enough of Messier already. Its time to go away! We're sick of seeing him". If that quote is any indication Messier may be in for a rude awakening if he believes New York is waiting to roll out the red carpet for him to return as the teams new GM. Looks like Mark has placed himself into a fine Mess. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. ; )

Sergei On Waivers......

1) The news of the late evening was the placing on waivers of underachieving Montreal forward Sergei Samsonov. Many were surprised by this move, as some had the Habs trying to trade away the cranky Russian, especially after he was held out of the lineup for the Canadians last game So many were taken a back when Bob Gainey decided to instead place Samsonov on waivers.

2) What does this all mean? Well, do NOT expect Sergei to be picked up by anyone. There are 3.75 million reasons. That being Samsonov's salary for NEXT season, in addition to the remainder of this year. With his paltry production he simply is NOT worth even 1/2 that figure. Which brings us to the next issue. Will he be allowed to come back through "re-entry waivers".

3) The new CBA is a bit complicated, but if the Habs demote Samsonov, he can not be recalled unless he passes through re-entry waivers. If a team snaps him up then, the Habs would be on the hook for 1/2 of his remaining salary, and lose the player for nothing. Even at that, we believe there will be few takers even at that reduced rate for the over paid Russian

4) We believe the Canadians are hoping the Russian declines going to the AHL, allowing the Habs to suspend the forward, eliminating his salary both on their cap and payroll entirely. Since he is under 35 the Canadiens could conceivably keep him demoted all next season without it counting against their cap even if he did report to the AHL(Which we feel is unlikely)

5) What this does is frees up considerable cap space for the Habs to add that second line center they have been trying to add. Published reports have mentioned Smolinski, and this remains a possibility, but Gainey has also his eyes on impending free agent center Petr Sykora of Edmonton. If the Oliers fall out of contention BG will try hard to pry the Czech center away from the Oil as a playoff rental

Byers/Sellers Update

1) As of today Tuesday February 6th, 3 weeks until the trade deadline this is an updated list of the teams we believe will be buyers and the teams that we believe will be sellers.

2) Below is a team by team list and the % chance they will be buyers or sellers. The higher the given number the more likely that team will be a seller by 2/27. Conversely a lower number indicates a team more likely to be a buyer.
St. Louis- 95
Phoenix- 95
Los Angeles- 90
Chicago- 90
Philadelphia- 85
Columbus- 80
Florida- 75
Boston- 75
Washington- 70
Carolina- 60
Colorado- 55
Edmonton- 55
Vancouver- 50
Montreal- 50
N.Y. Rangers- 50
Toronto- 50
N.Y.Islanders-45
Minnesota- 40
Tampa Bay- 40
Pittsburgh- 35
Dallas- 35
Calgary- 35
Ottawa- 30
Atlanta- 30
San Jose- 25
Detroit- 25
Nashville- 20
Anaheim- 20
Buffalo- 15
New Jeresey- 10

February 6th Update

1) These are a few of the potential deals we're hearing this morning. As we mentioned several times in the past few weeks the Boston Bruins remain an enigma. The biggest of course is Brad Stuart. Acquired in the amazing stupid Joe Thornton deal last fall. Our sources in Boston tell us the B's are eager to unload Stuart and if possible package him with Primeau.
2) The destination? Well, as of this morning our source tells us that Darryl Sutter has been hot after Stuart. Apparently Sutter isn't all that happy with the current make up of his squad and wants to add some offense. What would the Flames offer up? We're told that Andrew Ference possibly another player, probably a 3rd line forward or a draft pick. We're told this one could be done BEFORE the deadline!
3) In other news we're told that the Islanders are getting a bit frustrated with impending free agent forward Jason Blake. Evidently the diminutive forward is being adamant about a 5 year deal. The money is probably negotiable as far as the Islanders are concerned. Blake wants about 4 mil/year. BUT the Isles do NOT want to go beyond 3 years. That could be the deal breaker, and this all could come to a head before the deadline.As always keep it here for all the latest!

Rumors or Media Wish

1) The recent Islander Blake rumor brought to light what we have been discussing with the other members of FAUXRUMORS for some time now; the 'art' of creating rumors where none truly exist. For years the Canadian media were the biggest culprits. Add to that list some of the bigger U.S. markets and you have potential for quite a few 'rumors'.

2) With all this chatter/nonsense, the rumors that may have some basis in fact are more than drowned out by the bull shit. A good one recently was a multi-media driven rumor in 2 cities simultaneously. On the surface it sounded plausible, but do even a little digging and you can see this rumor is pure 'Barbara Streisand'. That rumor of course is the Adrian Aucoin to Montreal for Sergei Samsonov

3) If this were 3 years ago you would have a story there. However with the salary cap, with both players not playing particularly well, with both having additional years with hefty salaries remaining, it makes both pretty untradeable. Do the Habs need another slow injury prone defensemen? Do the Black Hawks need another under achieving forward? Aucoin has 2 more years at 4 mil/yr left. Samsonov has another year at 3.5 mil. Both are awful deals. Both teams would love to unload that contract, BUT no way is either team going to turn around and re burden themselves with another's 'trash'.

4) Apparently those obvious flaws in this potential deal weren't enough to prevent writers in Chicago and Montreal from picking up this pile of tripe and regurgitating it. As we have mentioned more than a few times; There is definitely a market from fans hunger for 'inside information' about possible deals. Nothing is more exciting away from the rink to hockey fans than to contemplate trades, and the media(print, electronic, on-line) is very happy to feed this hunger, even if they have to fabricate the fodder they are peddling.

5) As one of the few outlets that has ZERO financial stake in what we write we at FAUXRUMORS ONLY write actual information that is received from some of the most respected sources throughout the NHL. As such our track record is impeccable, and one we are very proud of. As always keep it here for all the latest as we hear it. Nothing ever created, just the facts ma'am.

1) The recent Islander Blake rumor brought to light what we have been discussing with the other members of FAUXRUMORS for some time now; the 'art' of creating rumors where none truly exist. For years the Canadian media were the biggest culprits. Add to that list some of the bigger U.S. markets and you have potential for quite a few 'rumors'.
2) With all this chatter/nonsense, the rumors that may have some basis in fact are more than drowned out by the bull shit. A good one recently was a multi-media driven rumor in 2 cities simultaneously. On the surface it sounded plausible, but do even a little digging and you can see this rumor is pure 'Barbara Streisand'. That rumor of course is the Adrian Aucoin to Montreal for Sergei Samsonov
3) If this were 3 years ago you would have a story there. However with the salary cap, with both players not playing particularly well, with both having additional years with hefty salaries remaining, it makes both pretty untradeable. Do the Habs need another slow injury prone defensemen? Do the Black Hawks need another under achieving forward? Aucoin has 2 more years at 4 mil/yr left. Samsonov has another year at 3.5 mil. Both are awful deals. Both teams would love to unload that contract, BUT no way is either team going to turn around and re burden themselves with another's 'trash'.
4) Apparently those obvious flaws in this potential deal weren't enough to prevent writers in Chicago and Montreal from picking up this pile of tripe and regurgitating it. As we have mentioned more than a few times; There is definitely a market from fans hunger for 'inside information' about possible deals. Nothing is more exciting away from the rink to hockey fans than to contemplate trades, and the media(print, electronic, on-line) is very happy to feed this hunger, even if they even if they have to fabricate the fodder they are peddling.
5) As one of the few outlets that has ZERO financial stake in what we write we at FAUXRUMORS ONLY write actual information that is received from some of the most respected sources throughout the NHL. As such our track record is impeccable, and one we are very proud of. As always keep it here for all the latest as we hear it. Nothing ever created, just the facts ma'am.

Six Month Sign Post

1) We didn't realize it until one of our readers, Leo Mathews of Lake Bonavista in Alberta wrote us an e-mail yesterday afternoon congratulating us on our first 6 months in existence. We hadn't planned on commemorating this feat as we only recently celebrated our 200th post last month. However, as we also received other notes from some of the folks we visited this past fall, we decided to write a brief post this early (COLD) Monday morning to say Thank You to everyone who wrote in yesterday, but to all who have contributed to our success

2) Amazing to think in such a short time we have written 225 individual postings. That amounts to 1.2 posts every day! WOW, we didn't think we were being so prodigious, but having a group of individuals with like minded goals certainly makes this much easier. Thanks again! We look forward to the next 6 months with equal excitement as we were with our first post August 4th 2006.

Super Bowel Hangover!

1) Still recovering from a few too many last night, but won't discuss the football game because this isn't 'faux football'. LOL Anyway we are hearing a few minor deals are getting closer. We will have a story later today discussing the alleged problems with the Penguins arena deal as well as Jason Blake and the Islanders.
2) The deal that our sources tells us is closest to coming to fruition appears to be the Rangers acquiring pesty forward and occasional loud mouth, Sean Avery. Glen Sather, as we have mentioned on more than one occasion, sees his roster in need of more North American grit. Sather really wanted/wants Shane Doan, but the asking price so far is more than the Ranger GM was willing to part with(Marc Staal)
3) In other trade rumor news the Stars and Blues continue their discussions to reacquire forward Billy Guerin. We're told this deal is not nearly as far along as the Avery deal, but the Stars would love to have the sniper back in green and gold for the playoffs.As always keep it here for the latest as it develops

Six Month Sign Post!

1) We didn't realize it until one of our readers, Leo Mathews of Lake Bonavista in Alberta wrote us an e-mail yesterday afternoon congratulating us on our first 6 months in existence. We hadn't planned on commemorating this feat as we only recently celebrated our 200th post last month. However, as we also received other notes from some of the folks we visited this past fall, we decided to write a brief post this early (COLD) Monday morning to say Thank You to everyone who wrote in yesterday, but to all who have contributed to our success
2) Amazing to think in such a short time we have written 225 individual postings. That amounts to 1.2 posts every day! WOW, we didn't think we were being so prodigious, but having a group of individuals with like minded goals certainly makes this much easier. Thanks again! We look forward to the next 6 months with equal excitement as we were with our first post August 4th 2006.

Penguins to Stay Put

1) As we here at FAUXRUMORS told all our readers back in December when the arena deal fell through the Penguins will NOT be going anywhere. http://fauxrumors.blogspot.com/2006/12/no-deal-in-pittsburgh.html

2) In our original piece we were told by our Pittsburgh sources that the deal would be in place before the playoffs. However with the number of out side cities beginning to line up for the Penguins, and a deadline fast approaching state officials finally got off their collective asses and decided this needed to get done NOW

3) Our sources tell us the overall good play of the team, and ofcourse having one of the best young players to break into the NHL in many a year, "significantly helped" get this deal done. The details of the plan are probably going to be released later today or tomorrow. Congrats Pens fans!

Ovie Needs Help

As a more-than-casual fan of the Washington Capitals, it has perturbed me for quite some time that GM George McPhee has been unable to secure a frontline center to play with standout winger, Alexander Ovechkin. In fact, George has had nearly two and a half years from the moment Ovi was selected in the draft to get this job accomplished. How could this NOT be his primary focus and top priority? Following last season, Yanic Perrault (for a miniscule salary) and Marc Savard (for a tad bit more) were available. Ovi presently plays with a sub-par, out of position center in Dainus Zubrus, and still manages to produce phenomenal numbers and awesome feats. One can only imagine how amazing Alex would be with a legitimate NHL playmaker. 65-70 goals is not even a stretch. I suppose Georgie has more important things to do, for instance, signing a bad backup goalie to a 2 year contract extension and consistently recalling players from Hershey in the calibur of Jakub Klepis. While I realize many of you could not care less about the Nation's Caps, Ovechkin is the future of this sport, and his steady progression is paramount to the league's success.

For Fauxrumors this is ANTZMARTCHING