As "D-Day" fast approaches for New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello to pare down his payroll to get under the $44 million salary cap, some wild speculation is turning up in cyberspace as to his potential moves. 

Lots involve Vladimir Malakhov getting shopped somewhere since it's quite likely Alexander Mogilny's salary will be written off owing to his injury status. There may be some plausibility in the Malakhov rumors, after all, he doesn't want to play for the Devils, but that doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't want to return to the NHL.

Those aren't the stupid rumors. The stupid one once again involves Scott Gomez and the Calgary Flames, which I shot down several weeks ago.

Sadly, that one has once again reared its ugly head, with some rumormongers suggesting Gomez would get traded to the Flames for picks and prospects.

You know, these rumormongers are either incredibly freakin' stupid, lazy or just aren't trying anymore to churn out plausible rumors.

The flaw in this latest "Gomez to Calgary" rumor is so big you could fly the Space Shuttle through it.

The Flames payroll presently sits at around $42 million. There's no way in hell the Flames can possibly absorb Gomez's $5 million contract for this season without dumping salary elsewhere, either in the return to the Devils (which they won't accept) or if a third team gets involved.

Unfortunately, with two thirds of the NHL teams presently with payrolls in excess of $40 million, and with most of the remaining third unwilling to spend over their self-set cap limit, there's is almost no chance of Scott Gomez going to Calgary.

And that, folks, is why "Gomez to Calgary for picks and prospects" is today's Stupid NHL Trade Rumor.