New Updates

Here are some quick updates on Rick Nash, Zach Parise, the Colorado Avalanche, Paul Gaustad, and Roberto Luongo. 

Nash
Sources say that a Rick Nash deal is getting closer. At this point it seems as if the most likely destination is Toronto.

Parise
Right now there is a 60% chance that Parise, a UFA, signs an extension with the Devils to stay in New Jersey. There is a 30% chance that he signs with another team, but that can easily grow as a result of NJ's issues with capital and the fact that they have a large debt with the National Hockey League. Parise has made it clear that he would love to stay with the franchise he has spent his entire career with, but the Devils may not be able to retain his services.

Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have decided not to send a qualifying offer to free agent forward Peter Mueller. Mueller busted onto the scene with 54 points in his rookie year with Phoenix after being taken with the eight pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Since his rookie year, however, he has been plagued by injury, including a concussion that sidelined him for the entire 2010-11 season.

Also, the Avalanche are rumored to be going after free agent forward Shane Doan. Doan, the captain of Phoenix, has spent his entire career with the Coyotes. It is much more than extremely unlikely that he will be swayed into leaving what has become his team; he is far too loyal to sign anywhere else. There is less than a .001% chance that he leaves Arizona, and that would happen only if the 'Yotes decide not to re-sign him, but as long as he wants to stay they will keep him around.

Gaustad
Word is that Paul Gaustad and the Nashville Predators are very close to a contract extension for the forward that was acquired from Buffalo at the trade deadline.

Luongo
Luongo is going to start next year in either a Panthers or a Lightning jersey, no doubt about it.