Dobber: Just want to extend my congratulations to Bugg. He had Viktor Tikhonov going 35th in Dobber's Fantasy Prospects Report. The Hockey News did not have him in their Top 100, and TSN did not have him in their Top 75. If that's not a great job of projecting, I don't know what is! Good work Bugg. 

Dobber: The Leafs swapped picks with the Isles and threw in a 2nd and a 3rd to draft Luke Schenn. A great defensemen but they are deep in that position. Hopefully, for Leaf fans, they can shed some of their depth and bring in some forwards.

The Isles have moved down the draft another two picks by swapping with Nashville and adding the 40th overall pick. In the end, they will still probably get the guy that they want…but have added three good draft picks. Brilliant!

Columbus acquired RJ Umberger for a package including 19th overall. Umberger should be a 60-point guy there and adds a solid left winger. The Blue Jackets have now added Filatov and Umberger. Adding Marleau will also help, but still not a playoff team.

The Habs acquired Alex Tanguay for a late first rounder. 

Angus here. Three way trade to start the draft off! To Calgary: Mike Cammalleri. To LA: 12th overall. To Anaheim: the 17th overall and the 28th overall. Great move for Calgary to add a top talent, and for the Ducks to grab a first rounder for only moving down five spots.

Alex Tanguay is close to being on his way to Montreal for the 25th overall pick.

FYI, my article on THN.com today focuses on the draft. Find it here .

Interested in hearing Matt Bugg on the FAN 590 earlier today? CLICK HERE!  (15 min in)

My solution to the NHL being poached by up-and-coming leagues a la Bobby Hull/WHA can be found right here . 

The Predators dealt Chris Mason to St. Louis for a fourth round pick and then signed Dan Ellis to a two-year deal. Now Ellis led the league in save percentage last season… but c'mon, Mason led the league in save percentage the season before! Thankfully, the two-year deal that they signed Ellis for was for only $3.5 million, so I think they did good here and did learn from their mistake somewhat. Mason in St. Louis is bad news for Bishop owners. I figured Bishop was ready for the backup job but… now it's Mason's to lose.

The Kings have bought out Dan Cloutier, and the Sens have bought out Ray Emery. Well, not yet officially, but the first step in the process – waivers – is under way. 

The FAN590 is reporting that that Malkin number is actually $15 million per season. This will test how much the new "Continental League" will impact the NHL. If it works, we may have to start fantasy leagues based on that circuit! 

Toronto Star's Rick Westhead, who has a reputation for digging up truths – big stories at that – is reporting that the Russians are poised to offer Evgeni Malkin a contract worth $12.3 million TAX FREE (of course) per season. Stay tuned.

Columbus beatwriter Aaron Portzline is starting to become a big of a rumor-monger himself – he's been on top of all the goings on in the Jackets' office. Does he have a wire tap? With the Jeff Carter signing, it is possible that Columbus is now looking at RJ Umberger. If I am Scott Howson, I would much rather give Umberger my money than Malone.

Portzline also reports that the Marleau for sixth overall is dead. The Jackets won't pay that price, and the Sharks won't except less.

The Leafs have picked up Jamal Mayers from St. Louis for a third-round pick. To me, that is not rebuilding. Anyway, maybe I'm just bitter because in Jamal's player profile that I wrote for the Score Hockey Forecaster (out in August) I mentioned that St. Louis fans loved his loyalty to the team. Oops. Not that being traded is disloyal, but by the time the mag comes out it would look pretty stupid in the Toronto section.

Tony Salmelainen has signed to play in the Swiss League next season.

The Tennessean is reporting that the Preds may target Brian McGrattan now that Hordichuk is gone.
For the AZ Republic's lowdown on some Phoenix youngsters, including Brett MacLean, Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik, CLICK HERE

Sportsnet is reporting that the Flyers have signed Jeff Carter to a three-year, $15 million deal. Take him off your list of potential offer sheets.

Bryan McCabe won't waive his no-trade clause…still. You'd think other GMs would learn from this.

Atlanta has hired John Anderson to be their new coach. I love it when newcomers get a chance, and not some recycled coach getting his fifth tour of duty.

Our prospects expert Matt Bugg will be on Hockeycentral at noon with Doug Farraway on the FAN590 Toronto. He's scheduled for around 12:20 and will be, of course, discussing the draft. You can see his work, along with mine, in the Fantasy Prospect Report. If you haven't done so already – buy it now and get the lowdown on all of the prospects (drafted and undrafted) from a fantasy standpoint. For just $14.95 you get that report, PLUS Dobber's legendary Fantasy Guide that comes out August 1. Or buy the report on its own for $12.95…or buy all five of my annual products for $27.95.

Still on the topic of Bugg and the draft – he will be doing a LIVE Blog on DobberHockey right on the home page, reflecting on the draft picks and giving you his take.

Our friends over at KUKLAS KORNER have people in Ottawa also Blogging live at the event. You can take a look at what they say by clicking HERE.