I noticed a couple of fantasy sites have outlined the NHL award winners. If you want me to do that, flip me an email…otherwise I will just assume you know them all.

Now that Columbus has a new GM, word out of the organization is that Zherdev may be pushing for a trade. Since the baby got his way with a contract last summer, there is not reason to believe why the baby won't get his way this summer, too. I wonder what his excuse will be if he starts sucking in a new city, too?

Don Meehan states that Jose Theodore will not be bought out. In unrelated news, a month ago Don Meehan stated that Alexander Perezhogin did not sign a contract in Russia. 'Media' is another word for 'suckers'. If I'm in charge of mainstream media, I wouldn't give this guy the time of day. After he misled me a month ago, I would never print another statement from him again.

Jan Hlavac signed a contract with the Lightning. It's a two-way deal. He has 83 points in his last three NHL seasons, but hasn't been in the league since before the lockout. His career high is 64 points, but that was way back when Radek Dvorak and Petr Nedved were good. Anyway, the team is desperate to give Brad Richards some wingers, so they'll be trying to find cheap solutions all summer. When camp opens, Hlavac (and Gratton) will be one of probably seven or eight guys with upside that will get an audition. The winner will be fantasy gold. The loser? In the minors or Europe. 

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that the Habs are very close to signing Alexei Yemelin. He is a big defenseman with 40-point upside (way) down the road. The team did sign Pavel Valentenko, a big rearguard with absolutely no offensive upside whatsoever.

The Caps have signed Josef Boumedienne to a one-year contract. He is an offensive defenseman, but his is not their answer to a PP QB. Then again, they settled for Jamie Heward two years ago and Brian Pothier last year, so you never know… 

Chicago will not qualify Nikita Alexeev and he will become an unrestricted free agent. Do not be surprised if he goes back to Russia. 

The Flyers signed Antero Niittimaki. It is a two-year deal.

From the Vancouver Province: Canucks GM Dave Nonis denied a report out of Sweden claiming defenceman Mattias Ohlund was retiring for family reasons and moving back to Sweden, where he'd play for Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League.

Still waiting for thillen19 to contact me about his win of my playoff pool…