Available Players

Here is a brief overview of who is available at the moment:

Skill forwards:

1- Nathan Horton (FLA)

2- Ray Whitney (CAR)

3- Alexei Ponikarovsky (TOR)

4- Paul Kariya (STL)

5- Keith Tkachuk (STL)

6- Peter Mueller (PHX)

7- Steve Reinprecht (FLA)

8- Doug Weight (NYI)

9- Andrew Cogliano (EDM)

10- Slava Kozlov (ATL)

Gritt forwards:

1- Colby Armstrong (ATL)

2- Steve Ott (DAL)

3- Raffi Torres (CBJ)

4- Eric Belanger (MIN)

5- Owen Nolan (MIN)

6- Lee Stempniak (TOR)

7- Ethan Moreau (EDM)

Offensive defensemen:

1- Tomas Kaberle (TOR)

2- Sheldon Souray (EDM)

3- Pavel Kubina (ATL)

4- Joe Corvo (CAR)

5- Dennis Seidenberg (FLA)

6- Carlo Colaiacovo (STL)

Defensive defensemen:

1- Dan Hamhuis (NSH)

2- Andy Sutton (NYI)

3- Darryl Sydor (STL)

4- Jordan Leopold (FLA)

5- Milan Jurcina (CBJ)

6- Aaron Ward (CAR)

Goaltenders:

1- Tomas Vokoun (FLA)

2- Dan Ellis (NSH)

3- Dwayne Roloson (NYI)

4- Martin Biron (NYI)

5- Josh Harding (MIN)

6- Alex Auld (DAL)

Hiatus no. 10 987 Ends

The title says it all folks.
After pondering the move for several days, I have decided to re-open the blog.
I hope that the few followers I previously had are willing to let bygones be bygones and start re-reading WWIB's content after my lack of determination let this blog slide.

Once more, I sincerely apologize for abruptly ceasing operations, and will try to make up for it by offering the best pre- and post-trade deadline coverage I possibly can!

Thanks for your time,
WWIB

Tuesday Rumor Roundup

- The Calgary Flames are expected to introduce to Brent Sutter as their new head coach later today. For those who didn't see, I wrote a little on the topic here. 

- The Pittsburgh Penguins' top priority this offseason: re-signing Rob Scuderi.

- As expected, Chris Chelios will not be re-signed by the Red Wings. 

- F Dany Heatley has informed Senators GM Bryan Murray of his 10 preferred destinations: Los Angeles, New York, San Jose, Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver and Boston are 7 of them.

Caps hire Woods as assistant coach

Just a few moments ago, word got through that the Capitals have promoted Bob Woods to the assistant coach position. 

Woods has no prior NHL coaching experience and served as Hershey's head coach from November 2007 to June 2009, where he maintained a record of 83-47-15 and recently captured the 2009 Calder Cup.

The former defenceman replaces Jay Leach who was let go at the beginning of the offseason. He had been with the Club since the 2005-06 season and was in charge of the team's defense. 

This certainly seems like a good move, especially with the past success the Caps have had with promoting people from within the organization. In addition to his presumably good relationship with his players, Woods is a good friend of Boudreau's, which should bode well!

Monday Rumor Roundup

Not much going on this morning, but thankfully the Red Wings are here to keep us busy:

- Two writers went ahead and explained why the Wings should not re-sign Marian Hossa, even though they claim that their decision has nothing to do with the 2009 playoff debacle that occurred in the Motor City, both for the Club and the star forward. 

- Chris Chelios and Red Wings GM Ken Holland will reportedly meet in the coming days to discuss the 47-year old's future with the organization. He claims that he still would like to play, so a return to Detroit does not appear imminent. 

Sunday Rumor Roundup

UPDATE 8:45 PM: 

- On an interesting side note, I stumbled upon a very intriguing piece in the Buffalo News, where writer Dan Zakroczemski lays out his "GM for a day" plan. Firstly, he suggests that the Sabres should upgrade their front office through the hiring of a good scout as assistant-GM to Darcy Regier. He then continues by indicating that the Sabres should rid themselves of most of their veterans, including D Toni Lydman and F Jochen Hecht, and put their youth in charge. Finally, he believes strongly that the Sabres should sign D Jay Bouwmeester.

- Cross the Edmonton Oilers off Jay Bouwmeester's list of possible suitors. 

- Things are looking grim for the Nashville Predators as they do not believe that they will be able to meet their UFAs' demands by July 1st. Nashville's most notable UFA is F Steve Sullivan, who had a great year with 32 points in 41 games after his return from severe back injuries. 

- Many things, including the hiring of Francois Allaire as goalie coach, are starting to indicate that G Jonas Gustavsson will end up a Toronto Maple Leaf.

Available Cap Room Rankings

The title says it all: here is a ranking of teams according to their available cap space for the 2009-10 season. This list will certainly highlight July 1st's top buyers, even though a certain portion of each team's cap space will have to be used on re-signing RFAs. Remember that each team does not also necessarily spend up to the cap.

Important Notice: Let's assume the Cap is at US$ 56.7 M. 

All numbers represent approximate values.

1- Nashville Predators: 33.5 M

2- Montreal Canadiens: 33 M

3- New York Islanders: 33 M

4- Phoenix Coyotes: 27.5 M

5- Atlanta Thrashers: 26 M

6- Vancouver Canucks: 21 M

7- Chicago Blackhawks: 22.5 M

8- Tampa Bay Lightning: 19.5 M

9- Florida Panthers: 18.5 M

10- Anaheim Ducks: 18 M

11- New York Rangers: 16 M

12- Dallas Stars: 14 M

13- Columbus Blue Jackets: 15 M

14- Los Angeles Kings: 15 M

15- Toronto Maple Leafs: 15 M

16- New Jersey Devils: 14.5 M

17- St. Louis Blues: 13 M

18- Carolina Hurricanes: 12.5 M

19- Minnesota Wild: 12 M

20- Colorado Avalanche: 11.25 M

21- Washington Capitals: 10.75 M

22- Edmonton Oilers: 9 M

23- Buffalo Sabres: 8.75 M

24- San Jose Sharks: 8.5 M

25- Calgary Flames: 7.5 M

26- Pittsburgh Penguins: 6.5 M

27- Boston Bruins: 6.5 M

28- Ottawa Senators: 4 M

29- Detroit Red Wings: 3.75 M

30- Philadelphia Flyers: 3.5 M

In Bold are teams that did not spend up to US$50 M in salaries last season.

In Blue are teams that have substantial RFAs to re-sign this offseason.