Monday, August 31, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Sept 1, 2009

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed forward Brad Staubitz to a one-year contract.

According to Vancouver sources, the Canucks are close to signing goalie Roberto Luongo to a 12-year contract extension worth roughly $64 million. The rumor is that the annual salary cap hit should be in the $5 million range. Brochu's take: A source is saying that it could be announced tomorrow, but it's more than likely sometime this week.

The New York Islanders have traded forward Rob Hennigar to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Bobby Hughes. Source

TSN is reporting that the Los Angeles Kings are not interested in Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley. The San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks remain the most speculated teams in the hunt for the sniper.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 31, 2009

This is the larger version of Brochu's European Rumor Roundup:

Peter Forsberg has made his latest comeback to hockey by playing a pre-season game with Swedish club Modo. Forsberg played on the first line against Geneva in Switzerland. Forsberg has also been provisionally named on Sweden's 2010 Olympic roster. Brochu's take: So I guess we can expect Forsberg rumours to continue all season? Keeps me busy, I suppose. ;-)

Ottawa Senators goalie Jeff Glass has signed a one-year deal with KHL team Barys Astana. Source

Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle has signed with HC Kladno of the Czech Extraliga. Kaberle was bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this summer. Source

According to Hokey.cz, free agent forward Petr Sykora is weighing offers from several KHL teams. Source

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 29, 2009

The San Jose Sharks have traded defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Daniel Rahimi and forward Patrick White. Brochu's take: For the Sharks, this is a bit of a salary dump. With Ehrhoff and Lukowich off the books, the Sharks free up around $5.5 million in cap space. For the Canucks, they have significantly improved their defensive depth, while also acquiring assets in preparation for a trade.

The Canucks have also officially signed defenseman Mathieu Schneider to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Brochu's take: A sweetheart deal with GM Mike Gillis' old client.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Alex Tanguay to a one-year, $3.25 million deal. Brochu's take: You have to wonder why it took so long, but regardless, this makes the Bolts a more dynamic offensive team.

The Lightning have also re-signed defenseman Matt Lashoff to a two-year deal.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Tony Romano to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward Chris Porter and Justin Fletcher to two and one-year deals, respectively.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenseman Mark Fraser and forward Patrick Davis to one-year deals.

The Boston Bruins have re-signed goalie Kevin Regan to a one-year deal.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 27, 2009

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Martins Karsums to a one-year contract.

Forward Mike Sillinger has annnounced his retirement. Brochu's take: I'm pretty sure Sillinger has played for at least half of all the NHL teams. It will be sad to see him leave.

According to the Detroit News, free agent forward Darren McCarty is in Moscow looking to sign with a KHL team. There have also been rumors that he is considering retiring again. Source

There's a rumor that the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel. Kessel remains an unsigned restricted free agent, with only 6 weeks to the start of the NHL season. There are also several offers from KHL teams. Brochu's take: I think that he will re-sign with the Bruins, but they're going to have to trade someone to free up salary cap space.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Ottawa Senators goalie Jeff Glass is rumored to be signing with KHL team Barys Astana in Kazakhstan. Source

According to theKHL.net, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nikita Filatov has had several offers to play in Russia, but he remains focused on reaching the NHL. Filatov admitted he would consider the KHL if he were playing the AHL or on the "bench". Source

Monday, August 24, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 25, 2009

According to Sportsnet, the Vancouver Canucks are close to signing free agent defenseman Mathieu Schneider to a one-year contract. Brochu's take: Schneider could be the answer for the Canucks' lack of a powerplay quarterback. I would guess a deal in the $2-3 million range. Source

Free agent defenseman Dennis Seidenberg is close to a deal with the New York Rangers or Florida Panthers. It's believed that he wants a 3-year deal, but the teams want a shorter contract. Source

The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Ben Ferriero to a two-year, $1.275 million contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Eric Reitz has left the New York Rangers organization and signed with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL. Source

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 21, 2009

According to the Star Tribune, free agent forward Alex Tanguay is considering an offer from the Minnesota Wild. "Alex has been on the phone with Chuck and I've been on the phone with Chuck," Tanguay's agent Ritch Winter said. "We're working on some other teams, too. We're just doing as much homework as we can to help Alex make an informed decision." Brochu's take: Won't someone please sign Alex Tanguay? It's strange that no one has signed him yet. Source

The Nashville Predators have signed forward Marcel Goc to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Stephane Yelle to a one-year, $550,000 contract.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Jeff Cowan to a one-year contract.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Brett Festerling to a two-year, $1 million deal.

The New York Islanders have signed goalie Nathan Lawson to a one-year deal.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Ottawa Senators have signed goalie Andy Chiodo to a one-year deal. Chiodo spent last season with Dynamo Minsk in the KHL.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 19, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Todd Bertuzzi to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

According to the "Working the Corners" Sharks blog, head coach Todd McLellan has stripped forward Patrick Marleau of his captaincy, and is quoted as saying that "nobody's our captain" at the moment. Joe Thornton has also been relieved of his assistant captain duties. Brochu's take: You have to wonder if Marleau's time is up in San Jose, considering he only has one year left on his contract. The rumor is that Dan Boyle will be the new captain. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Christian Backman and forward Jiri Novotny will sign with HC Frolunda and HC Servette, respectively. Source Source2

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 17, 2009

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed forward Matt D'Agostini to a one-year, $500,000 contract.

The New York Rangers have signed forward Vaclav Prospal to a one-year, $1.1 million deal.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 13, 2009

The Tampa Bay Lightning have sent forward Evgeny Artyukin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Drew Milller and a third round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Ladislav Smid to a two-year deal, and have signed forwards Gilbert Brule and Ryan Stone to one-year, two-way deals.

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed goalie Thomas Greiss to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Nikolai Zherdev is expected to sign a deal with KHL team Salavat Yulaev. Zherdev became a free agent when the New York Rangers refused to accept his arbitration salary.

The San Jose Sharks have signed Swedish goalie Henrik Karlsson to a contract. Karlsson was a free agent that played with Farjestad last season. Source

Monday, August 10, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 11, 2009

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Mike Grier to a one-year contract.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed forward Ryan Jones to a two-year contract.

According to Russian reports, the Vancouver Canucks have come to terms with forward Sergei Shirokov. Source

There are rumors that the San Jose Sharks are interested in signing free agent goalie Manny Fernandez to a contract.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 10, 2009

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs are close to sending goalie Justin Pogge to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional late round draft pick. Brochu's take: Pogge's name has been in the rumor mill for sometime, so it wasn't a surprise that he would get traded.

The Leafs are also close to signing free agent goalie Joey MacDonald to a deal.

Theoren Fleury is attempting another NHL comeback, according to TSN. Fleury spent last season playing senior hockey in Alberta, and is currently contacting teams to gauge their interest.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed goalie Nicola Riopel to a contract. Source

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Gregory Stewart to a one-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Goalie David LeNeveu has left the Anaheim Ducks organization and signed with Austrian hockey club EC Salzburg. Source

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 7, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Jason Williams to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed forward Brendan Shanahan to a one-year deal.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Jannik Hansen to a one-year, two-way contract.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen has retired from hockey. Brochu's take: One of the few remaining players that actually played for the Winnipeg Jets, he will be missed.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Drew Bannister to a one-year deal. Bannister played for the Kassel Huskies in Germany last season.

Forward Jeff Hamilton has left the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and signed with HC Lugano in Switzerland. Source

Nashville Predators forward Antti Pihlstrom has left the organization and signed with Swedish club Farjestad. Source

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 5, 2009

According to TSN, the Montreal Canadiens may facilitate a three-way traded involving the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators, with Dany Heatley being the main player. According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, the Sharks have tabled a package that includes winger Jonathan Cheechoo, along with defenceman Christian Ehrhoff and a first-round selection. Brochu's take: Cheechoo is a shadow of his 56-goal season, so his value is quite low. GM Doug Murray is going to have to up the package if he's going to get Heatley, and not to mention he has to get rid of some salary.

The San Jose Sharks have announced that there will be a press conference on Thursday to confirm the retirement of Jeremy Roenick. Brochu's take: I'm going to miss him. His "wake up, NHL" quote is amongst the best rants in hockey history. That, and throwing the water bottle at the ref.

The Ottawa Senators have signed goalie Brian Elliot to a 2-year contract.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Patrick Eaves to a one-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Janne Pesonen has left the organization and signed with KHL team Ak Bars Kazan. Source

Minnesota Wild goalie Nolan Schaefer has left the organization and signed a deal with Russian team CSKA Moskva (Moscow). Source

Rangers walk away from Zherdev!

The New York Rangers have decided to exercise its right to walk away from the arbitrator’s award to forward Nikolai Zherdev, thereby allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Zherdev was awarded a $3.9 million salary by way of arbitration. Brochu's take: I would guess that he would sign in the KHL, as most NHL teams have set their rosters for the upcoming 2009-2010 season. The Edmonton Oilers have already dismissed any interest in the Russian forward. Source

Monday, August 03, 2009

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 4, 2009

The New York Islanders have re-signed forward Blake Comeau to a 2-year contract.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Cody McCormick to a one-year deal.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed goalie John Curry to a two-year deal. The Pens have also signed forward/defenseman Wade Brookbank and forward Wyatt Smith to contracts.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Milan Jurcina to a one-year deal.

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Brendan Bell to a contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Both forward Ville Peltonen and defenseman Ossi Vaananen have left the NHL and signed with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL.

Update tonight!

Sorry about the lack of updates, I've been moving the last few days. I can assure you that I won't be going away unannounced (like last year!), as I will be updating quite frequently.

Thanks for reading!