Monday, April 21, 2008

The latest European free agent rumors

There's a lot of rumours about European free agents signing with NHL teams lately, so here's another edition of Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Swiss defenseman Goran Bezina has been scouted by the New York Rangers recently. Bezina spent the season with Geneve-Servette in the Swiss Nationalliga, and recently scored two goals in an exhibition game with Team Switzerland against Norway. Rangers scout Anders Hedberg was spotted keeping an eye on the ex-Phoenix Coyotes draft pick. Brochu's take: Rumors are that some Montreal Canadiens scouts were watching him as well. Perhaps his second stint in the NHL will be better than the first. Source

Swiss forward Beat Forster has also received some interest from NHL clubs. Brochu's take: No doubt, he will be the first NHL player with the first name "Beat". Source

The agent for Russian forward Evgeny Artyukhin has proposed a two-year deal to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The deal is believed to around $1 million a year. Brochu's take: Artyukhin bolted (pardon the pun) to Russia the last 2 years when the Lightning refused his contract demands. Given the overhaul in Tampa, he may be given another chance. Source

Defenseman Olli Malmivaara will leave the New Jersey Devils organization and play with SM-Liiga team JYP in Finland for the 2008-2009 season.

Forward Tomi Maki will leave the Calgary Flames organization and play with SM-Liiga team Jokerit in Finland for the 2008-2009 season.

Forward Janne Lahti will leave the Montreal Canadiens organization and has signed with SM-Liiga team Jokerit in Finland for the 2008-2009 season.

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