Europe update, Kubina to San Jose?

Globe and Mail writer David Shoalts is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks had an agreement to trade Pavel Kubina, but the deal fell through. Interim GM Cliff Fletcher had allowed GM Doug Wilson to speak to Kubina's agent about waiving his no trade clause, but Kubina refused. However, it's possible that he can still be traded in the summer. According to his contract, if the Leafs do not make the playoffs, Kubina's no-trade clause is suspended from the day of the entry draft in June to Aug. 15. Source

Brochu's European roundup:

Riku Hahl may be returning to the NHL next season. Swedish website Dagbladet.se is reporting that Hahl would be open to returning. "Three or four NHL teams are interested in his services." said Hahl's agent Krister Kaukinen. Hahl is currently playing for Timrå in the SEL. Source

Rumors are swirling that Swedish Elite League team Leksands IF may try to persuade goalie Ed Belfour to stay another year by bringing his son Dayn Belfour to Sweden. Leksand have sent scouts to watch the youngster, who plays for the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Source

Swiss newspaper Blick is reporting that forward John Pohl will leave the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of the season and join Nationalliga A club Ambri Piotta in Switzerland. Source

Defenseman Janne Niskala is rumored to be leaving the Nashville Predators and returning to his Swedish Elite League club Färjestad. Source

Defenseman Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre will be leaving the New Jersey Devils at the end of the season and will play with Duisberg in the DEL for 2008-2009. Source

Belfour to return to NHL next year

In an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Ed Belfour discusses his decision to play with Leksands IF, as well as his career and life in Sweden. He is hoping to get Leksand back into the Elitserien, and hoping he can get back into the NHL next year.

Yes, my objective is to play in the NHL next year. I want to continue to develop as a goaltender.

I had offers from some NHL teams, but it was not anywhere I wanted to play. I wanted to play for a team that had the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup.

-Ed Belfour

Leksand currently has a 18-1-1 record, enjoying an eight-point advantage over second-place Rögle BK Ängelstad and an 11-point cushion over the Malmö Redhawks. Source

The NHL board of governors have officially approved of a new schedule, which is essentially the same schedule as the pre-lockout years. Each team will play each other at least once, and there will be less divisional games. The governors also approved of the sale of the Nashville Predators to the Freeman-Del Biaggio group. The meetings will conclude Friday.

According to Sportsnet, Mark Recchi could be returning home to BC. The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively shopping the forward, and the Vancouver Canucks may be interested. The most likely destination for Recchi is still Columbus, due to his familiarity with coach Ken Hitchcock.

With Sweden pulling out of the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement, there are rumors that the Czech Republic could do the same. Teams in the Czech Extraliga are also upset with the low transfer fees.

The Eagle has landed...in Sweden

Ed Belfour has arrived in Sweden to begin his season with Leksands. He arrived today at the game against Västerås, but did not play. He received a great ovation from the crowd, and spoke with the local media about playing in Sweden. "It's an honour to play for a team like Leksands," Belfour said. "I was intrigued by the challenges, adventures and the possibilities of playing [here]. His playing debut for Leksand IF could be against Växjö on Friday - but most likely against Nyköping at home next Wednesday. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed Randy Robitaille to a one-year contract. Robitaille must clear waivers because he started the year playing in Russia. Source

According to RDS, there was speculation that the Calgary Flames were interested in acquiring Alexei Kovalev from the Montreal Canadiens.

Giordano signs in Russia

Mark Giordano has signed with Moscow Dynamo of the RSL. Giordano was offered a two-way contract with Calgary but instead signed with Dynamo for $800,000. Source

Various sources on the internet have confirmed early reports last week that Ed Belfour has signed with Leksands IF. The Eagle will be getting familiar with his new teammates and akvavit very soon.

Belfour signs in Sweden

Ed Belfour has signed with Leksand of the Allsvenskan in Sweden. Leksand is in the second tier league in Sweden. The deal is rumoured to be 1 billion dollars. ;-) Source