NHL and Hockey Rumors for March 16, 2013

Look for another post that will cover some of the free agent, college and entry level signings that happened the past few days!

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a six-year, $33 million contract extension.  Brochu's take:  This is a bargain.  OEL is capable of being a point-a-game defenseman.

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenseman David Desharnais to a four-year, $14 million contract extension.

The New York Islanders have re-signed defenseman Colin McDonald to a two-year contract extension.

The Buffalo Sabres have acquired a 5th round pick in 2013 NHL Entry Draft from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman TJ Brennan.


The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Steckel to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Ryan Lasch and a seventh-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Nicolas Deschamps from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Kevin Marshall.

The Minnesota Wild have traded defenseman Chay Genoway to the Washington Capitals for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Weekend rumor roundup for April 18-19, 2009

Sorry about the lack of updates, I've been watching the playoffs!

The New York Rangers have signed free agent defenseman Matt Gilroy to a two-year, $3.5 million contract. The highly sought after free agent won the Hobey Baker award as the best college player in the NCAA.

The Nashville Predators have signed forward Colin Wilson to a three-year, entry-level contract. Wilson was the Preds' first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Predators have also signed GM David Poile to a one-year contract extension. There have been rumors of Poile joining former owner Craig Leipold in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Wild also fired GM Doug Risebrough on Thursday. According to Darren Dreger of TSN, owner Craig Leipold had asked the Toronto Maple Leafs for permission to talk to assistant GM Dave Nonis, but were flatly denied by GM Brian Burke.

The Buffalo Sabres have decided to retain both coach Lindy Ruff and GM Darcy Regier for the 2009-2010 NHL season.

The Sabres have also signed defensemen T.J. Brennan and Drew Schiestel to three-year, entry-level contracts. Both Brennan and Schiestel were 2nd round picks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Source

Emery gone, Spezza for Luongo?

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray revealed that goaltender Ray Emery will not be with the team next season. "My plan is not to have him back," Murray told reporters, "I told him (Emery) yesterday that the plan right now would be to investigate possible options for him," Murray said. "Meaning, to look for another team that is willing to make a trade." Murray also took the time to say that he will not trade Jason Spezza or Dany Heatley. Brochu's take: Emery was a major factor in the Senator's collapse this season. He will likely be gone via buyout, as few teams are interested in Emery. Source

The Ottawa Citizen is reporting a rumour of a blockbuster deal involving sending Jason Spezza to the Vancouver Canucks for Roberto Luongo. Brochu's take: Isn't this the "rumor" that Al Strachan said on CBC? Anything can happen, but there's about a 99.9995% chance that this trade would not happen. Source

Rumours continue to fly about who will become the new GM of the Vancouver Canucks. The Aquilini ownership group has already contacted Doug Armstrong, Neil Smith and John Muckler, while the frontrunners seem to be former agents Mike Gillis and Brian Lawton. The name of Kevin Cheveldayoff, the GM of the AHL Chicago Wolves, has been tossed around in NHL circles as well.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Dan Bertram and defenseman Mike Brennan to entry-level contracts. Both players had just won the NCAA Division I hockey championship with Boston College.