I am working on the rumor chart today.

In the meantime, I spoke with a source in Winnipeg about whether the firing of Claude Noel and hiring of Paul Maurice as interim coach signifies that a full-scale house cleaning will be underway sooner rather than later. Even before Noel was relieved of his duties, the on-again, off-again trade rumors involving Dustin Byfuglien, Evander Kane and other were cranking up again full force.

I was told that "trying the goaltending settled" is the top priority right now with Ondrej Pavelec struggling. However, other large-scale changes could happen sooner (as in before the trade deadline) rather than later if things continue to go awry for the organization.

Above all, the firing of Noel is a clear sign that the honeymoon -- and it was a rather extended one by NHL standards in Canada -- is over in Winnipeg.

More to come...

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