Sunday, February 08, 2009

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 8, 2009

It's Sunday, so it must be time for Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

According to "league sources", the Florida Panthers are leaning towards keeping defenseman Jay Bouwmeester instead of trading him at the trade deadline. If the Panthers, don't make the playoffs, it's believed that GM Jacques Martin will be fired by owner Alan Cohen. League sources say the Philadelphia Flyers may have been asked to discuss a deal that included top prospect forward James van Riemsdyk and forward Scott Hartnell in exchange for the rights to Bouwmeester. Brochu's take: Garrioch and his league sources. Just because van Riemsdyk had a bad tournament, they're going to trade him? That just doesn't make sense.

The Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings have all called Martin about the impending unrestricted free agent. Garrioch believes that Bouwmeester will sign with Edmonton in the summer. Brochu's take: Bouwmeester has said that he doesn't like to play in Edmonton, and would like to play for a winner.

There's "talk" that the New York Rangers could fire head coach Tom Renney soon and replace him with Pat Quinn.

The talk is the Montreal Canadiens are getting tired of Alexei Kovalev and his disappearing acts. Kovalev has played a valuable role this season, but not consistently. Nobody would be surprised to see him moved soon. Brochu's take: I would be surprised, Bruce.

Garrioch believes that the St. Louis Blues will put goalie Manny Legace on re-entry waivers, and the Columbus Blue Jackets would pick him. Brochu's take: This is possible, but not too many big-name contracts have been claimed off re-entry waivers.

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