ISS rankings have been updated for May – we have a new leader. Lots of shuffling… 

Evgeni Nabokov has a no-trade clause in his contract. Vesa Toskala is entering the final year of his contract before he is eligible to become a UFA. You do the math. Toskala is gone. The Sharks are looking at Thomas Greiss to be Nabokov's backup.

Rangers prospect Marc Staal was named OHL's outstanding defenseman. He is ranked 52nd on the top Fantasy Prospects list.

Sean Avery will likely have surgery on his left wrist.

Brendan Shanahan is leaning towards not retiring and leaning towards re-signing with the Rangers. 

The Palm Beach Post is speculating that the Panthers could be interested in acquiring Manny Fernandez from the Wild. It would not cost them a single player in all likelihood, as Minnesota would just be thrilled to get his $4.3 million off their books. The Coyotes are also said to be interested in Fernandez, but because of their GM situation (or lack of one), they are a less likely scenario.

The Avs signed a three-year entry deal with prospect Codey Burki. He ranks 231 on my Fantasy Prospects List. 

Don't forget – Bryan Murray used to coach the Ducks as well. So of the four remaining coaches, Murray, Babcock and Carlyle are former Anaheim coaches. Just found that interesting. 

Pittsburgh prospect defenseman Kris Letang has 30 points in 18 games, good for second in QMJHL scoring. Boston draftee Brad Marchand is first with 39 points in 19 contests for Val D'or. Other notable names: Derick Brassard had 24 in 12, Jakub Voracek had 24 in 12, James Sheppard 20 in 16 and Marc-Andre Cliche 20 in 15. Of the above, Marchand has caught my eye and will debut in my Top Fantasy Prospects list this week. 

Jochen Hecht left practice yesterday with a groin injury. Lindy Ruff says he will still be in the lineup.

80% of the Russian teams refuse to sign the new IIHF-NHL transfer agreement.

Ian White signed a three-year contract extension with the Leafs. He will be stuck as their No.4 guy for those three years, because McCabe, Kaberle and Kubina are all signed for that long. That will ensure that he will not get 50 points in a season during that span.

The Isles signed Wade Dublew…Dublie… let's call him "Wade D". They signed him to a one-way contract for next year thanks to his great play down the stretch. He will back up DiPietro next season.

For my take on the Alexander Perezhogin story, check out yesterday's ramble. (i.e. click "next")