With Sidney Crosby going down last night it will be very interesting to see how the Penguins react these next few weeks. So many teams, so close and the reality is around 20 teams of the 30 have a legit shot at putting together a run and lifting a Cup.

It is that close, and this is one of the reasons that on The Rumour Chart we take into account the amount of money left to spend by playoff teams. When it comes to most of the players currently on The Chart, they are available because they are either UFA's or RFA's. In the next two weeks, several players who already have contracts for next year will be added.

That, is course, is when it will REALLY get intriguing. These players, not as easy to move due to their contracts next year are much harder to deal and predict, and yet if history has told us anything, it is that these players are often the key to the UFA deals.

So who can spend what right now?

The following teams salary cap space are estimates. Remember that the longer you wait to pick up a player, the less you have to have on your cap. Therefore the big names like Hossa, Blake, and Sundin will likely not be moved until a week or so from the deadline. Everyday you wait on a 6 million dollar player saves you tens of thousands of dollars in space...

The West GP-PTS- CAP SPACE
1. Detroit 48-72-5.5M
2. Anaheim 50-60-4.8M
3. Calgary 49-56-2.5M
4. San Jose 46-57-10.6M
5. Dallas 49-57-2.2M
6. Minnesota 47-55-3.9M
7. Vancouver 47-55- 2.1M
8. Colorado 47-54-4.4M
Cap Space available among 8 Western Playoff teams=36M
9. Columbus 47-52-9.1M
10. St. Louis 44-50-5.4M
11. Phoenix 46-49- 14.6M
12. Nashville 46-48- 16.3M
13. Chicago 47-48-2.4M
14. Edmonton 49-47-1.1M
15. Los Angeles 48-38-7.5
Cap Space available among 7 Western Non-Playoff teams=56.4M

East
1. Ottawa 46-64-3.1M
2. Pittsburgh 46-55-12.8M
3. Carolina 50-50- 4.1M
4. Montreal 46-56-3.5M
5. NJ 46-55-3.4M
6. Philly 44-53-0.3M
7. NYI 46-51-7.4M
8. Boston 45-49-3.5M
Cap Space available among 8 Eastern Playoff teams:38.1M
9. Rangers 47-49-2.5M
10. Atlanta 49-49-6.0M
11 Buffalo 45-46-4.3M
12. Florida 48-46-5.2M
13. Washington 46-45-14.3M
14. Toronto 47-44-0.4M
15. Tampa 47-41-6.1M
Cap Space available among 7 Eastern Non-Playoff teams:38.8M

So what does this tell us? Right now both conferences have about equal the amount of cap space available to the playoff teams to bring in a rental, but the teams to watch may be these teams

9. Columbus 47-52-9.1M
10. St. Louis 44-50-5.4M
11. Phoenix 46-49- 14.6M
12. Nashville 46-48- 16.3M

All within six games of a playoff spot, all cities that REALLY would benefit by making the playoffs, and with 45.4 Million dollars between them to spend on a rental. And all these teams have a surplus of young talent to use to get a Hossa, Blake, or Sundin.

Last year, remember that two of the three biggest rental deals Tkachuk and Ryan Smyth, went to teams like these. Teams that were on the bubble of even making the playoffs, and teams that had space and prospects. The other one, Nashville grabbing Forsberg, was an example of a team that NEEDED to win a Cup to help solidify themselves in a market place.

It is not too hard of a stretch to identify this years Blue Jackets with last year's Thrashers (both had never been to the playoffs in their history), this year's Blues to last year's Islanders ( two young teams with a proud playoff history) and this year's Sharks to last year's Predators (both had a history of regular season success, but a failure to get to the dance)

It is no surprise that Sundin to Columbus rumours heated up last night.

Another rumour was circulating this morning that San Jose will be entering the Sundin sweeps and may throw not only prospects, but Marleau into the deal, but only if Antropov comes along with Sundin. The Leafs would like the Sharks to take Raycroft as well...which makes sense for both teams as San Jose still needs a backup if they are to have any chance of going into the playoffs with confidence. When I asked my source close to the situation, "Aren't we starting to talk too many players here?" his answer was, "I thought so too, but I am told the Leafs are bundling players and that other teams understand this.

Two other teams that are already in the Sundin talks are Vancouver and Calgary, both of which have been scouting the Leafs. Kessler is a player I have heard could be used as well as Lombardi. In both cases expect more than Sundin and prospects going back to Toronto.

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To see the most current team speculation on all the possible trade-able players and some comments updated on a regular basis....go to The Chart...for

The Exclusive Hockey Buzz Trade Rating takes several factors into account including the player's production, cap hit, if his team is selling or buying, the likelihood of him returning, cap space available among playoff teams looking to upgrade, his age, experience, and more.

The Trade Rating changes every night depending on what happens in the evening games and as we get closer to the deadline, and the Cap Hit becomes less of a factor, the changes will become more drastic.

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