With the NHL's announcement that the salary cap is $56.7 million and the floor is $40.7 million, look for a lot of announcements shortly – as teams such as the Flames were holding back the official announcement of a contract with Daymond Langkow until the cap was announced. 

Martin Straka has not officially signed to play in the Czech League yet, according to his agent. HC Laselsberger Plzen still maintains that a deal is done.

The Flames will buy out Rhett Warrener, Anders Eriksson and Marcus Nilson, placing them on waivers. 

The Stars qualified Eriksson, Polak, Pushkarev, Wathier and Khomitski. Holtet, Vas and Timonen will not be qualified and will become UFA's.

Scott Niedermayer has told Brian Burke that he will return for one more season. 

The Sudbury Wolves made Nikita Filatov their first overall pick in the CHL import draft. If he does not make Columbus, he will be OHL bound. Sudbury natives should be excited about this, but I think it is 60-40 that he makes Columbus. 

SPECTOR is reporting that Martin Straka will return to the Czech League.

The Avs qualified Svatos, Wolski, McCormick and McLeod. That would make goaltenders Wall and Weiman UFA's if they don't get an offer.

The Sharks qualified Clowe, Ehrhoff and Goc. That's everyone.

The Preds qualified Peverly, newly-acquired tough guy Tristan Grant, and Ellison. UFA's will be Bochenski, Grumet-Morris and John Vigilante. The Tennessean reports that the Preds would give Bochenski a two-way contract if he wants it.

Wade Dubielewicz has signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the new Continental League. As mentioned here earlier, the Isles are going with Joey McDonald as the backup.

The Red Wings signed Sergei Kolasau to a two-year entry-level deal. He is a tall, offensive rearguard with some potential, but the Wings are deep. Expect AHL this year and watch how the 22-year-old does. 

The Ducks qualified Perry, Dixon, King, Platt and Miller – but Shane Hynes and Gerald Coleman will become UFAs. They also signed Brian Sutherby to a one-year deal.

The Panthers qualified Bouwmeester, Campbell, Larman, Lojek, Meyer, Olesz and Steward. Garth Murray, Adam Taylor and Martin Tuma will be UFA's.

The Isles qualifed Gervais, Tambellini, Walter, Colliton and Bergenheim. By my count, that leaves Frans Nielsen, Aaron Johnson and Drew Fata as UFA's
 

JUST A REMINDER THAT IN THE OFFSEASON OVER 50% OF THE RAMBLINGS ARE DONE IN THE AFTERNOON BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE DAILY NEWS REALLY STARTS FLOWING… click "next" below, to ready yesterday's late ramblings…