Ottawa: havlat,Hasek,Chara =out  Barinka,Corvo,Presseing,Gerber =in. Would have to rate the Sens a net loser at this point, although with the overall talent they probably don't fall back much.

Buffalo: Mckee, Grier=out. Spacek=in. Mckee and Spacek very different in terms of their play on defence. Griere added some grit. Probably they remain status quo, although they need to resign the majority of their 12 rfa's.

Carolina:Weight,Recchi,Ward,Gerber,Cullen=out. Nobody in at this point. Canes definite losers at this point.

Boston: Chara,Savard,Mara =in. Green,Boyton,Raycroft=out. Definite improvement, but with 73 points last season do these moves push them through 90 points to qualify for the playoffs?

New Jersey. Nobody out or in. They are up against the cap and will have to trade, Lamirello does not look too smart for signing and then buying out Mogilny and Markov, both salaries counting against the cap. Will probably end up as losers.

Tampa Bay: Modin,Kubina,Sydor=out. Denis=in. Probably better goaltending but lost alot on defence, and could still have cap problems, at this point they may at best stay the same.

Toronto: Domi,Belfour,Berg,=out. Raycroft,Kubina,Gill=in. Upgrade on defence, questionable goaltending, and they still lack quality wingers with speed. Probably a net gainer, but not substantially so.

NY Rangers: Cullen,Shanahan,Ward,Racunek in. Nobody out. Big big winner.

Philly: No changes. They will remain in the top tier in the east.

Atlanta: Savard=out. Definite loss for them, making it harder for them to qualify for the playoffs.

Islanders: nobody out. Witt,Potti=in. Better coaching and marginal upgrades on the blueline, not enough to be a legitimate playoff threat.

Florida: Loungo,Krajeick=out. Bertuzzi,Allen=in. Loungo has the capabilities to win a game himself, he is gone, can't see how Florida has improved.

Although the Habs have remained status quo, most of the playoff teams and challengers despite all their moves have not (with the exception of the Rangers) really moved well past the Habs at this point. Small point, but things perhaps not as bleak as they seem with all the ufa signings.