Mats told some teams that he would decide in August as was evident by Bob Gainey a few days back, saying the Canadiens were willing to wait and that Mats said he would decide in August.

So......

Most people believe that Mats will stick to that. H owever we will not know that decision unless something leaks... Mats wants to make an announcement in Toronto.

A source: "Mats is returning to Toronto this week and I have heard (and fully believe) that the return will be accented with a presser where Mats will announce his intentions. Upon Mats' return to Toronto, I am told there will first be a face to face meeting with Fletcher and the Leafs and then a press conference. Mats doesn't want anything to do with being in town and dealing with constant questions. He would rather attack it than react to it."

Makes sense but does that mean Mats returns to the Leafs?

No, I am told..

Again a source: "The Leafs have turned the page. They won't say it publicly, in fact they aren't even much saying it privately. They respect Mats too much, but they feel the situation has gotten too out of control and Mats in Toronto for an entire year would be too much of a circus."

Now I have gone on record saying that I feel Mats in a Leafs uniform would be outstanding for the young players, and I also believe that Mats could transcend this circus and avoid it.

Today in Toronto there is an article speculating that Mats is preparing for retirement because his patterns are different this year than other off seasons. While that is certainly true I was told recently that Mats changed his patterns to get a taste of what it would feel like "if" he retired, to help him decide...But that Mats is very much in shape and ready to play.

So we will see.

Btw, I watched an AMAZING movie last night recommended to me by a hockey writer I respect called "Once." I am telling you it may be the best movie I have seen in ten years. Totally blew my mind. The soundtrack is just awesome as well. Never has a movie felt more real to me. You know how sometimes you are watching a movie and don't realize that you are sitting completely still until it ends at the perfect time and you take a breath? I am telling you, find this movie. So different. So real. And the acting is just off the charts.

Yesterday I took eight calls to my phone from readers and I loved it...Great people out there and so much nicer to actually talk to my readers person to person. I also listened to all of the voicemails this morning. Amazingly great people out there...

It just harkens to what I have felt for a long time. The readers of Hockeybuzz were born out of the lockout blog when the truest of true diehards needed to talk hockey and found me. They are my base and it is a ridiculously solid base. What has built from those two hundred thousands early readers into over six million just blows me away. I just appreciate you all so very much, and in the midst of the frustrating "Summer of Sundin" it really lifted my spirits, so thanks.

If you want to call me feel free to cal 213 985 BUZZ (2899)


more to come...

from yesterday..

Well today a voicemail from a Swedish Source has the return if Forsberg to the NHL as "Ten times more likely than this time last year." What I have been told is although Forsberg is obviously not making any promises, he is indeed "More Optimistic" than he has been in years.

That is great news for all of us. Forsberg showed incredible jump and energy in his brief stint with the Avalanche last year notching a goal and 13 assists in just nine games...The equivalent of a 100 point season that would have led everyone in assists. I have said it before, but it is worth repeating...Forsberg is the best passer in the game. There is no one player that gets his time and space on the power play.

From another source: "It looks like he might once again try to play for the Swedish National Team in late fall before deciding if he's going to return to Colorado."

Let's hope so.

And while we all feel that Peter will return to Colorado, a source told me. "Yes, but we also all thought Philly was a definite last year and Peter chose Colorado because the Flyers were in a funk and looked to have no shot. The opposite could happen this year or Peter could chose the Rangers or Hawks, both of whom would welcome him"

As for Sundin...
Well today's money is on the Canadiens, (and for quite a few reasons,) some of which are off the record, but the one dominating factor appears to be the Rangers inability to get what they want for what they have to move to get it done.

Also a source in Montreal said that last night he spoke to a person in the organization who said that the Habs may make a "monumental pitch" this weekend. hmm....The 100th anniversary is definitely going to be fun if this all goes down.

As for McCabe...
It looks like there are some new wrinkles in this despite EVERYONE not even admitting the actual deal with Florida that is rumoured...I am told that the Panthers will only be sending picks for McCabe, not players...However the Leafs and Fletcher are up to something else. A source said, "Cliff would love to shock the hockey world and grab Bouwmeester or Weis."

Want to call me? You can.

My phone number is 213-985 BUZZ (2899)

You can leave me messages for anything Hockeybuzz related. Ask me to come on your radio show, ask a question for Julie and me to answer during the buzzcast, ask a question regarding a rumour...or just say "Hi."

I will tell you that I won't always be answering the phone from numbers that are unfamiliar, although there will be certain times that I will answer. ( I may also announce those times)

I can't guarantee to call back everyone, but I will try to call back as many people as possible....I am also working on a way to play some questions and answer them in the blog.

If this becomes popular I may make this number toll free.

The Top UFAs Left

1. Forsberg: Avs (e4)
2. Sundin: Rangers (e3), Canadiens (e3)
3. Sakic: SIGNED A DEAL TODAY FOR ONE YEAR
4. Selanne: ANA( e4), Habs (e3), Kings (e1)
5. Barnes: Retired
6. Berard: Tryout with Philly
7. Sanderson: Buff (e2), FLA (e1), CBJ (e2), ATL (e2)
8. Cullimore: FLA (e3), PHO (e1), BOS (e1)
9. Lapointe: PHO (e2), DAL (e3), Buf (e1)
10. Shanahan: NYR (e4), Mon (e3)
11. Dowd: NSH (e3), PHL (e2), NYI (e1)
12. Perreault: EDM (e2), NSH (e1), DAL (e2)
13. Hedican: NYI (e4), OTT (e3), WAS (e1)
14. Hamilton: BUF(e3), NJ (e1), NYI (e1)
15. Glenn Murray: Van (e3), PHO (e2), OTT (e3), SAN (e1)
16. Parrish: Nash(e3) NYI (e3)
17. Brisebois: NYI (e2), WAS (e2), NAS (e1)
18. Robitaille: LA (e3), STL (e3), Pitt (e1),
19. Malik: OTT (e3), Was (e2), Pit (e1)
20. Smolinski: Pit(e3), Ott (e2), Avs (e1)
21. Popovic: Signs in Russia
22. Semenov: NAS (e3), Cal (e3), Bos (e2)
23. Carney: CBJ (e3), TB (e2), CAR (e3), EDM (e1)
24. Richardson: CBJ (e4), Bos (e2)
25. Isbister: ATL (e3), CAR (e2)
26. Yelle: Cal (e2), Ott (e2), Min (e3), Buf (e1)
27. Mark Smith: Atl (e3), CBJ (e1), NJ (e3), Avs (e2)
28. Gelinas: LA (e1), ATL (e2), NYI (e1)



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What is the E-System (e1, e2, e3, etc.)?

The E-System was devised with the intelligent hockey fan in mind as a way for Eklund to give subtle clues to rumors that are posted, as well as gauge the likelihood of a rumor turning into an actual trade or free agent signing.

E1 - This is a rumor that comes from a single reliable source not in any way directly connected to the players or teams involved.
E2 - This rumor is simply more than one reliable sources not in any way directly connected to the players or teams involved and not connected to each other. It does not have to equate to two E1s. It could be several E1s.
E3 - This rumor comes from a single source with ties somehow to the players or teams involved.
E4 - This rumor comes from more than one source with ties to the players or teams involved.
E5 - This rumor comes from source telling Eklund the deal is 100% done and just has not been announced yet.