NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 12, 2009

According to the New York Post, NHL general managers have given their approval to the Rangers' request for a compensatory pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in the wake of the death of 2007 first-round selection Alexei Cherepanov. Brochu's take: While technically in the CBA, (teams unable to sign their first round picks get a pick anyways) the way that this whole thing went down seemed a bit sketchy. Source

TSN's Ice Chips is reporting that Nashville Predators general manager David Poile left the door open for a possible return to the team by Alexander Radulov. Radulov's team in the KHL was eliminated from the playoffs earlier this week. Radulov has one year remaining on his contract with Nashville and would not need to clear waivers to rejoin the team. Brochu's take: I doubt it. Both sides haven't talked to each other in months, and by all accounts, Radulov is happy in Russia. Source

Miroslav Satan's future is still unclear. He's been demoted by the Pittsburgh Penguins to their AHL affiliate, but has not asked him to report. There's a possibility that the Pens could call Satan up on re-entry waivers, but the team can't fit him under their salary cap. An annoucement is expected tomorrow. Brochu's take: A suspension is possible if he doesn't report, in which case the Penguins don't have to pay his salary. Source

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that contract talks between GM Mike Gillis and the Sedin twins are at a standstill, and talks may be shut down until the end of the playoffs. Brochu's take: I think they will re-sign at slightly under market value. Despite some stupid GMs out there, it's hard to see if anyone is willing to shell out > $11 million for these two. Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gary Roberts has officially retired from the NHL.

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 14, 2008

The San Jose Sharks have placed defenseman Kyle McLaren on waivers. Brochu's take: He has NOT been placed on re-entry waivers, just regular waivers.

New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov has died during a game in the KHL. Brochu's take: My thoughts and prayers are with Cherepanov's family and friends. RIP.

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

Forward Kris Beech has signed with Swedish club HV71. Beech had refused an assignment to the AHL by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Forward Brad Isbister has signed with Swiss club EV Zug. Isbister also refused an assignment to the AHL by the Ottawa Senators.

The Los Angeles Kings have re-assigned forward Brady Murray to HC Lugano of the Nationalliga A in Switzerland.

Defenseman Nolan Pratt has signed with KHL team Amur Tigers Khabarovsk in Russia.

There are rumors that Russian team Ak Bars Kazan has approached forward Peter Forsberg's agents about playing with the KHL club. Source

Shremp rumor update, Jagr to Russia?

According to to Oilers blog The Pipeline Show Blog, Rob Schremp's agent Scott Norton has denied that Schremp has had any real contact with Swedish teams. Norton believes that a person on the internet contacted Shremp about the possibility of playing in Europe in general terms, but there has been no official contact from any club. Norton did admit that Schremp is "not happy" with his current situation. Brochu's take: The Edmonton Oilers may have to deal with Schremp sometime this summer, and may have to decide if he is part of their future. Schremp could be used as a trading chip in the off-season, as he is pursued by several teams.

New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr is scheduled to meet with Russian team Avangard Omsk this weekend to discuss a contract for next year. Rangers GM Glen Sather is already scheduled to meet Omsk GM Anatoly Bardin about prospect Alexei Cherepanov coming to North America. With Jagr scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer because he failed to meet performance bonuses, he may be too pricey for the Rangers to re-sign. Brochu's take: This could be a bargaining tactic by Jagr to get a better contract, but he does genuinely like playing in Russia. Cherepanov stated in a previous interview that he would remain in Russia for another year, but it's possible that the Rangers could arrange an agreement to get Cherepanov out of his contract with Omsk. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Cody Wild to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers also inked center Tim Sestito to a two-year contract extension. Source

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Spencer Machacek to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Thrashers are also trying to sign prospect Angelo Esposito to a contract before the summer, but GM Don Waddell says negotiations are "not close". Source

The Minnesota Wild have signed Colton Gillies to a three-year, $2.625 million deal, beginning with the 2008-09 season ($87,500 signing bonus each year). Gillies also signed an amateur tryout contract to finish the season with the AHL Houston Aeros. Source

The Minnesota Star Tribune is also reporting that the Wild will offer defenseman Kurtis Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract. Brochu's take: Foster has more things to worry about than a contract after that horrific leg injury. At around $1 million, that's a bargain.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Nick Holden to a three-year, entry-level contract. Brochu's take: The Jackets stole one here. Holden is going to be a good player in the NHL.

Senators owner in trouble?

Biovail founder and Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk appears to be in trouble again with securities regulators. Securities regulators in both Ontario and the U.S. have charged Mr. Melnyk and three other former Biovail officers with accounting fraud. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Biovail agreed to pay a $10-million penalty, but the payment does not settle the charges against Mr. Melnyk and the other three former Biovail officials. Brochu's take: These are pretty serious allegations. The worst case scenario is that the NHL may force Melnyk to sell the Senators. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed free agent forward Jesse Winchester to a one-year contract. Brochu's take: The Senators are hoping he could become another NHLer from Colgate University, just like St. Louis Blues forward Andy McDonald. Source

According to the Camden Courier-Post, Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren have begin contract negotiations with forward Jeff Carter, who is due to be a RFA on July 1. A new contract is not imminent. Brochu's take: Carter could easily receive offer sheets from teams looking for a 23-year old power forward with 28 goals. Look for a deal to be in the $4-4.5 million dollar range. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to Russian website championat.ru, Alexei Cherepanov will stay with Avangard Omsk for one more year before joining the New York Rangers. Brochu's take: Cherepanov could benefit with another year in the RSL (or the new KHL). Source

Cherepanov out of series

Alexei Cherepanov is out for the entire Canada-Russia Super Series. Cherepanov suffered the concussion when he was hit by Brandon Sutter in Game 2 of the series. Russian officials have demanded that Sutter be suspended for the rest of the games. Cherepanov was drafted 17th overall by the New York Rangers in this year's draft. Source

The latest Forsberg rumour has him going to Toronto...as well as 29 other teams.

Peter Skudra has retired from hockey. Skudra played for Metallurg Novokuznetsk last season. Skudra last played in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks in 2002-2003.