Posts Tagged Eric Cole
Hall out 2-4 weeks … Rask likely staying, Bruins could explore Krejci’s value … Ducks shopping Ryan … Gauthier scouting LA-SJ … injury updates
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 29th, 2011
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Taylor Hall will be out 2 to 4 weeks with a left shoulder injury.
“I thought I was going to be out for a shorter period of time,” he said, “but two to four weeks isn’t bad. It’s not like I’m missing a huge chunk of games, where it would take me three to four games to really get back into the swing of things.
“I want to get back as quick as I can, obviously. I just have to try and rehab it as quick as possible .. make it as strong as possible.”
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC.ca: Other coaching situations to watch are in Calgary, Anaheim and Colorado. Eric Francis reported over the weekend that there won’t any changes in Calgary. The Ducks budget is stretched, which may may be evident in them passing up on Blake Comeau and his pro-rated $2.5 million salary. Flames GM Jay Feaster on Jarome Iginla: “He is part of the solution…We are not trading him.” The Wild and Predators made claims on Comeau, who the Flames ended up getting. The Islanders didn’t want to take on any salary in a Comeau trade, so they put him on waivers.
- James Murphy of ESPN: Murphy doesn’t think the Bruins are considering trading Tuukka Rask now or in the near future. He is their future starting goalie. David Krejci will be a UFA at seasons end, but he may not able to expect “big money.” Murphy thinks that if Krejci continues to be average, they could explore what his trade value is, though he doesn’t think they’ll give up on him yet. Murphy doesn’t know if the Bruins have held contract talks with Chris Kelly.
- Darren Millard via twitter: Nick Kypreos was told by an NHL executive that the Ducks are shopping Bobby Ryan.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks Bobby Ryan found himself practicing with the 3rd line yesterday along with Ben Maxwell and Niklas Hagman. Matt Beleskey was on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Ducks backup Dan Ellis had an ultrasound yesterday on his groin injury.
- Luke DeCock: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford acknowledged that their budget woes cost them the ability to get/keep veteran leadership. He mentioned Eric Cole and Ray Whitney.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier was patrolling the press box during the Kings-Sharks game last night.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Kings forward Dustin Penner missed his 8th straight game last night, but he could return on Thursday. Alec Martinez is at least a week away from returning. Scott Parse will have season ending hip surgery. He had hip surgery last year as well.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Even with the possible return of Penner on Thursday, Terry Murray’s comments sounded like Dustin Brown could see more time at left wing.
- Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets defensemen Tobias Enstrom and Randy Jones are back skating. Enstrom is expected to be out until after Christmas. Jones could be 8 or 9 days away. Brett Festerling and Derek Meech are out indefinitely. Ron Hainsey hasn’t been able to go since last Wednesday.
- Ben Kuzma via twitter: With Cory Schneider starting for the Canucks tonight, it makes a strong statement that he could be the number 1 goalie in Vancouver.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Curtis Sanford will start in net for the Blue Jackets tonight against the Canucks.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Craig Anderson will start in net for the Senators tonight against the Jets.
Richards update … Lightning have plenty of free agents to deal with … All quiet in Leafland … Jets, Wings, Sens, Hurricanes, Caps and Flyers rumors
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 27th, 2011
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post:
If I heard it once, I heard it a dozen times during this Entry Draft weekend in Minnesota: “[Brad] Richards told [X] he wants to come to New York.”
And this, too: “Slats [general manager Glen Sather] is going to blow his brains out to sign Richards.”
Brooks thinks a front loaded ($11 million) $32.5 million for 5 years should be enough. Richards is coming off a concussion, but is worth the risk.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will be busy this week. Steven Stamkos will be an RFA on July 1st if a deal isn’t struck by then. Speculation grows that Stamkos may not be back in with the Lightning, the longer remains unsigned, though it is an unlikely scenario. An offer sheet could cost 4 1st round draft picks. Yzerman did meet with Stamkos’s agent at the draft, and will talk again this week. Yzerman will also speak with Dwayne Roloson’s agent.
“I’ve been in touch with virtually everybody’s agent, everybody will travel (Sunday) and get settled in to their offices and we’ll get back on the phone this week,” Yzerman said. “I’m optimistic, I believe that we will get things accomplished. We were able to get Eric (Brewer’s) done this week and we’ll chip away at our restricted guys and go from there.”
The Lightning have 14 players that they could send qualifying offers to, which must be done today. They may look at goaltending during free agency if Roloson doesn’t re-sign. Sean Bergenheim may sign elsewhere. Simon Gagne and Adam Hall are unlikely to return. The Lightning may be looking for a top 6, possibly Brad Richards.
- Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: All is quiet from Brian Burke and team management with regards to their interest in Brad Richards. The Rangers, Flyers and Leafs are all expected to take a long look at signing the 31 year old free agent. Richards suggested after the season that he might take a discount to head back to Tampa Bay. Richards is likely looking for an 8 year deal in the $7 million range, which may be more than Burke would want to go. Burke believes that winger Matt Frattin may be able to make Leafs next fall.
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff had a few trade discussions with his former boss Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman, but nothing materialized.
“Stan and I chatted on a couple of things, but Stan had some big things on the go that were maybe a little bit not in the direction I was looking at at this point in time,” said Cheveldayoff. “We had some good conversations, they gave me some good support along the way and we had a good couple of laughs.
“We’ll have to wait for our first Chicago-Winnipeg deal.”
Cheveldayoff had some “feeling out” discussions with other teams. Cheveldayoff wouldn’t comment if they were one of the teams interested in Mike Richards. One report was saying the Flyers were looking at a package of Evander Kane, the 7th overall pick and possibly Alexander Burmistrov.
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland would like to add a top 4 calibre defenseman and possibly a backup goalie. Jaromir Jagr remains a possibility for the Red Wings and Penguins, but neither team wants to give him a huge salary. Holland is “in the same ballpark” with Jonathan Ericsson’s agent, and are getting closer to a deal. Negotiations with Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller aren’t going as smoothly. Kris Draper and Chris Osgood’s days as a Red Wing could hinge on how the free agency period plays out.
- Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators have about $20 million in cap space, but won’t be going after a Brad Richards or Kevin Bieksa or Dwayne Roloson. If the price is right, Baines thinks the Senators should go after Zenon Konopka. If Brooks Laich is wanting 4-5 years at $3.5 million, that may be too pricey.
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford met with the agents for Joni Pitkanen and Jussi Jokinen in the past week, and that “I’m at the point now that I do have hope that we’re going to be able to sign both players,” he says.
- Dustin Leed via twitter: Leed thinks there is “definitely a shot” that the Flyers will try to sign Brooks Laich. The Flyers have interest in Brad Richards but he could get a bigger deal elsewhere. Joel Ward, Brooks Laich, and Eric Cole are just a few of the possible replacements if Ville Leino walks.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The Capitals have placed Tyler Sloan on waivers.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Semyon Varlamov is unlikely to re-sign with the Capitals.
Sharp could have extension this summer … Lightning-Brewer close … Winnipeg Jets? … Flyers looking to move up in draft … Richards could be looking for 8/$50-55 million
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 24th, 2011
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has met with Patrick Sharp’s agent. Sharp is a UFA after next season, both sides agreed to talk again in a few weeks. The Blackhawks are confident that they can get a contract extension done with Sharp this summer.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: The Lightning and Eric Brewer are closing in on a 4 year deal worth $16 million.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Maple Leafs source saying there is nothing imminent at the moment.
- Dean Molberg (Fan 960) via twitter: “Rumors in Minny suggest True North has bowed to public pressure and will go with Winnipeg Jets after all.” Bob McKenzie via twitter: Winnipeg to announce team name before making the 7th overall pick. Michael Traikos via twitter: Mark Chipman hinted that Winnipeg team name will be unveiled at draft, but they may not have a jersey. Update: Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger has a strong belief that Winnipeg team will be named the Manitoba Jets. Dreger corrects: “Secret is out. Wpg Jets returns.”
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: Panaccio thinks that Lavy may prefer winger Erik Cole over Brad Richards on July 1st.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Flyers have been “absolutely drooling” over Gabriel Landeskog, and may be interested in moving up. Florida #3 could be the spot they would need to jump to. Seravalli thinks that Kris Versteeg and the #8 pick would be enough. If the Flyers aren’t able to move and they keep the pick, look for them to draft a defenseman, maybe Dougie Hamilton or Ryan Murphy. Brad Richards most likely won’t end up in Philadelphia. Seravalli reports that Steven Stamkos “isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.” The more people he talks to, the more it sounds like it could be a possibility. The Flyers may have a deal in place with Ville Leino before leaving the draft this weekend.
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Blackhawks maybe making RFA Troy Brower available.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brad Richards (31) could be looking for a 8 year deal in the $50-$55 million range, and could grow if a bidding war starts.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein thinks Gagne and Jokinen could be on the Kings radar.
Lemieux speaks with Jagr … Kings maybe looking for a LWer … Smyth to CAL or EDM … Kings may go after the other Richards … Leafs looking to deal
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 24th, 2011
We will continue to post rumors and trades all day long, so check back often for more Draft and Trade rumblings.
- Josh Yole of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Mario Lemieux came away encourage from his talk with Jaromir Jagr. The Pens haven’t made an offer to Jagr, and are unsure if he’d take less money then he may get elsewhere. Detroit could offer more money. Jagr can’t sign anywhere until July 1st as it’s a “blackout period” now as stipulated in the CBA. Sources are saying Pens GM Ray Shero may not want to pay more than $1 million for Jagr.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: The LA Kings left wing wish list could line up like: Eric Cole, Simon Gagne, Ryan Malone, Alex Tanguay, and Cory Stillman.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: The Flames are interested in trading for Ryan Smyth, though their level of interest isn’t known. If they don’t think they can get Alex Tanguay signed, they would have a hole on the left wing and would have a “net presence on the powerplay.” Maybe the Kings would take Ales Kotalik and his $3 million, could bury him in the minors.
- Nick Cotsonika via twitter: Ryan Smyth asked to be moved close to home. Kings GM Lombardi is down to 2 teams, started with 3. Pierre LeBrun via twitter: The Kings had more trade talks with the Flames and Oilers yesterday about Smyth, he’s going to end up in Alberta.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: If the Kings are able to move out Ryan Smyth, don’t rule a them making a move for Brad Richards.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: A high draft pick will likely be packaged with Ryan Smyth in any trade to accommodate taking on his contract.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: It doesn’t look like the Ottawa Senators will be able to move up from the #6 spot in tonight’s draft.
“We’ve been asked if we’d be willing to move a player with a pick rather than two picks,” Murray told The Team 1200. “It depends on the player. I think one team did ask about a little Swedish defenceman (Erik Karlsson) and the sixth overall and it was politely declined. There are lots of ideas out there that we don’t agree with and there will be lots of offers. You just have to pick the right one.
“I can see us moving two picks for sure, if not three, but I believe the price for moving up for one pick is usually two picks, not three picks. That’s what it has been in the past. I could see us moving a couple of picks. We could be talking about (keeping) eight or nine picks, but we could be talking 11. I would guess that we would probably trade two picks.”
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: Brian Burke,
“I’ve got lots of lines in the water,” the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager said. “But I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
The Maple Leafs are trying to land a #1 center or move up in the draft. They have the #25, #30, and #39 picks but they are not enough to get close to the top 5 picks. He may not be that interested in moving the #25 pick to get “to the teens” as picks from #10 to around #26 are not much different in quality. Burke couldn’t answer questions regarding whether he was in on Mike Richards and/or Jeff Carter as it would violate NHL tampering rules. Darren Dreger reported that the Flyers called about Nazem Kadri and Nikolai Kulemin but never got to Burke (see one of yesterday’s posts for a little more info on it).
- Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke wants to see if winger Clarke MacArthur is a one year wonder before giving him a long-term deal, “The problem is I’m not prepared to commit to a long-term contract for a player who really had one productive year.”It would seem that negotiations for the RFA have come to a halt.
“Putting a value on that is not easy either. That’s why we haven’t been able to sign him. It’s not that he’s being unreasonable, it’s just ‘What is he?’
“Is he a 70-point player or is he a 35-point player where he has been most of his career, so I’m not surprised we’re having a difficult time arriving at a value.”
Burke on RFA Luke Schenn,
“There doesn’t appear to be any urgency on that one from their side,” Burke said of negotiations with Schenn’s camp. “They’ll probably wait and see if other teams sign contracts that they think might help them.”
- CP in the Globe and Mail: The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed Andrei Markov to a 3 year, $17.25 million deal, a $5.75 million cap hit.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Ilya Bryzgalov’s contract breakdown: “$10M, $6.5M, $8M, $6M, $6M,, $5.5M, $5.5M $2.25M, $1.25M.”
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Robyn Regehr was going to sleep on the proposed trade that would send him to Buffalo. He’s already spoken with Darcy Regier and Terry Pegula.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: Sources are saying Chris Pronger will be offered the Flyers captaincy.
- Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Max Talbot rejected a 3 year offer from the Penguins last week. It’s believed to be a “slight” decrease in pay from his previous $1.05 million salary, possibly in the $800,000 range. If Talbot is going to take a reduction in pay, he may be wanting a 4 year deal.
Updates on Jagr, Kennedy, Stamkos, Ponikarovsky, and the Hurricanes
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 17th, 2011
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: LeBrun spoke with Red Wings GM Ken Holland who confirmed he has spoken with Jaromir Jagr’s camp, only preliminary at this point. LeBrun spoke with Jagr who confirmed interest in coming back to NHL. Petr Svoboda, Jagr’s agent, confirms that they’ve spoken with the Red Wings and Canadiens.
- Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Jagr’s camp has reportedly been in contact with the Capitals and Rangers. The Penguins are not interested at this time.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Ray Shero doesn’t have any deadline for re-signing winger Tyler Kennedy. He has no plans of trading his rights if nothing is finalized by July 1st. Re-signing Kennedy is still a priority for Shero despite not making much progress on a deal.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: No players were put on waivers today, may happen tomorrow.
- Eric Francis via twitter: Niklas Hagman and Ales Kotalik are buyout possibilities for the Flames, but most likely buried in the minors. No team would likely touch Matt Stajan if he was put on waivers.
- Will DePaoli via twitter: The LA Kings remain ‘intrigued’ by Alexei Ponikarovsky, despite not having a good season.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman is confident that they can re-sign Steven Stamkos.
“It is our intention to resign him, but he is restricted and we have the ability to match any potential offer sheet that might be put forward and we are in position to do that,” Yzerman said. “So, we are quite confident that Steven will be playing for the Lightning, and that’s our goal and we haven’t explored anything else and we don’t intend to look at it any other way.”
Discussions are being held with representatives from 3 of their free agents; Eric Brewer, Sean Bergenheim and Dwayne Roloson.
“I’ve been in contact with all their agents, in some cases we have exchanged numbers and, in a couple of other cases with our UFAs, we’ve said we are going to see where we are with a couple of players and then we’ll get back and let them know where we stand,” Yzerman said. “And that obviously has to take place in the next couple of weeks here.”
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes re-signed defenseman Jay Harrison to a 2 year, $1.4 million deal. They are not close to re-signing UFAs Jussi Jokinen, Chad LaRose, and Joni Pitkanen.
“With Pitkanen, Jokinen and LaRose, we know what their position is,” Rutherford said, referring to their financial demands. “I’ve given our position. It does not appear we will be able to sign them.”
GM Jim Rutherford hasn’t had any substantive talks with Eric Cole, “We expected to hear something by now, but we have not,” Rutherford said.“Things are not moving as we had hoped, and it’s getting closer to July 1,” Rutherford said Thursday. “We may have to look at other options. It may be easier to trade for players with existing contracts. Then we would know what we would be spending next year.
“I still prefer to sign some of our players. If not, we will look at a trade.
They will not look at trading their 12th overall pick at next weeks draft, nor any of their top prospects like Zac Dalpe, Zach Boychuk or Drayson Bowman. Rutherford will look to upgrade their top 4 defenseman. Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff could be possibilities if they hit the open market.
Zetterberg and Franzen to return … Possible new Ducks for next season … Miller had concussion … Leighton, Nodl and Carter are day-to-day
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News on April 29th, 2011
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: With Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen returning from injuries, 2 players will have to be scratched. Mike Modano will likely be a healthy scratch. Kris Draper could be another possibility. Jiri Hudler has played well of late and may keep his spot in the lineup.
Mark Whicker of the OC Register: They list possible players the Ducks may go after this off-season; Joel Ward (Nash), Max Talbot (Pit), Vern Fiddler (Pho), Eric Belanger (Pho), Ville Leino (Phi), Kevin Bieksa (Van), Eric Cole (Car), Alex Tanguay (Cal), Sean Bergenheim (TB), Craig Adams (Pit), Michal Handzus (LA), Mike Rupp (Pit), Patrick Maroon (Phil).
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres goalie Ryan Miller admitted that his late season injury was a concussion. Vogl’s article also has audio from Miller talking about the season, the future, and their goaltending situation.
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: With the new ownership in Buffalo, they may able to go the free agent route to improve this off-season, normally it would have had to been through trade. The Sabres need help at center and on the blueline. They need help down the middle.
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Gleason wonders if the Sabres will bring Brad Boyes back, he had a good regular season after he came over from St. Louis but struggled in the playoffs. They need help down the middle. Gleason wonders if they could trade away some young prospects for say a Patrick Sharp? Evgeni Malkin? or maybe Danny Briere?
Frank Seravalli via twitter: Flyers goalie Michael Leighton is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Andreas Nodl and Jeff Carter are also listed as day-to-day.
Moulson re-signs … Flyers waive Walker, might have Cole in their sights … Edler to have back surgery … Getzlaf targeting Feb. 9th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 27th, 2011
- Katie Strang via twitter: The New York Islanders have re-signed Matt Moulson to a 3 year deal worth $9.4 million.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Philadelphia Flyers have put Matt Walker on waivers. The Calgary Flames have put Ales Kotalik on waivers.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Matt Walker will likely not get claimed on waivers as he carries a $1.7 million salary. The move clears more cap room for future acquisitions, and a little extra room to sign Ville Leino to an extension.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: With Walker being waived, it gives the Flyers $3.6 million in acquisition space. Eric Cole ($2.9 million cap hit) is familiar to coach Peter Laviolette and could be a player the Flyers target.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: Panaccio speculated weeks ago, and sources are saying the Flyers may look at Erick Cole. Though Carolina would not trade Cole unless they were out the playoff running.
- Vancouver Canucks via twitter: Canucks defenseman Alex Edler is to have back surgery and is out indefinitely. Jason Botchford via twitter: Edler will have surgery on Monday and might be able to return at the beginning of the playoffs.
- Jason Botchford via twitter: Aaron Rome and Andrew Alberts should be back with Canucks 7-10 days after the all-star break.
- Craig Custance via twitter: Ryan Getzlaf has been cleared to skate on Monday and is targeting February 9th versus the Canucks as his return date.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador, out with a concussion, may not play a game this season, but is hoping to return next season.
- Thomas Reed via twitter: Mike Commodore will make his AHL debut tonight, and is partnered with prospect John Moore.
Daily Rumors – June 30th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on June 30th, 2009
- Mark Everson of the NY Post is reporting that the New Jersey Devils are close to re-signing Johnny Oduya to a 4 year deal worth in the neighborhood of $3-4 million per year. This would be a good signing for the Devils, he’s a going to be a solid D-man for years. But they’ll need to look at bringing in some offensive help as they are going to let Brian Gionta leave as a UFA. Defensive specialist John Madden also appears to on his way out. Madden is 36, but still has a couple good years left in him.
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Blackhawks and Havlat continue to talk contract. Havlat is looking for a multi-year deal at a lower amount than what he made last year ($6 million) but the Hawks are looking at a one year deal with a slight raise. Toews and Kane will be getting a raise next year, so the Hawks have to watch their future money. David Bolland just signed a 5 year deal at around $18 million. Cam Barker and Chris Versteeg are also RFA’s for the Hawks. The Bulin wall’s big contract comes off the books, but they are showing interest in re-signing him. You have to think the Hawks are rethinking their decision to give Brian Campbell that big deal last year.
- According to the Montreal Gazette, the Montreal Canadiens may look at the Sedin twins if they decide not to re-sign with the Canucks. I didn’t really think of the Canadiens as potential destinations for the twins at first, but if they could easily replace Koivu, Tanguay, and Kovalev, and leave a bit more money to re-sign Mike Komisarek. Saku is as good as gone, and may follow his brother to Minnesota. Montreal may also look at Daniel Brier and his big contract if they can’t deal for Vincent Lecavallier. Philly would be so happy if they could find someone to take the $7 million cap hit off their books, as their cap number must be getting close to $70 million for next year.
- The Raleigh News Observer is saying that Hurricanes GM wants to re-sign Eric Cole and Chad LaRose to multiyear deals. They are looking to get Cole for 2 years.
- From TSN.ca, Vancouver Canucks GM has left Sweden and Sedin’s with a contract offer to mull over. I have a feeling they will remain with the Canucks, as I don’t see any other GM offering more money than the Canucks will. But if they are dead set on signing an 8-12 year deal, they won’t return to Canucks, as Gillis has stated he wants no part of those extremely long term deals.
Edmonton has reportedly offered last years starting goalie, Dwayne Roloson, a 1 year deal worth $3 million. The 39 year old Roloson would like to sign a 2 year deal.
Jay Bouwmeester should have a multi-year offer from the Calgary Flames today.
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