Sunday, June 28, 2009

NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 29, 2009

According to Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell, both Kari Lehtonen and Ondrej Pavelec will be shopped this summer, with one of them most likely to be traded. Brochu's take: Lehtonen hasn't quite lived up to his potential, but I'm pretty sure some NHL teams will give him a chance. Pavelec may need several more years to establish himself. Source

According to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, several teams have contacted the Detroit Red Wings about trading the rights to forward Marian Hossa. GM Ken Holland doesn't want to trade the rights yet, but admits if a deal cannot be concluded in the next 48 hours, he will consider offers. Brochu's take: It's my guess that Hossa will be shooting for the moon in terms of his contract, so whoever wants his rights should be wary. I'm hearing the Carolina Hurricanes and Islanders are very interested.

LeBrun also adds a rumor that the Montreal Canadiens may sign impending UFA Martin Havlat. Havlat spends his offseason in Montreal. Source

There continues to be speculation that Saku Koivu will sign with the Minnesota Wild so that he can play with his brother Mikko.

It appears the Philadelphia Flyers are willing to let impending UFA goalie Martin Biron go, since they already signed Ray Emery to a contract. It's been rumored that the Colorado Avalanche are interested in signing the netminder.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun postulates that the Habs will go after Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Briere as "Plan B", as efforts to pry Vincent Lecavalier from the Tampa Bay Lightning have been futile. Garrioch adds that the Flyers are shopping forward Simon Gagne. Brochu's take: Briere's contract is essentially untradeable, and he has a no trade clause and made it pretty clear he doesn't want to play in Montreal, despite Garrioch's assertions. As for Gagne, his contract is pretty cheap, and I would imagine many teams will be lining up to get him. Source

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