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

Hockey and NHL rumors for July 26, 2009

The Boston Bruins have traded defenseman Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Bruins have placed Eaves on waivers, with the intention of buying out his contract. Brochu's take: Eaves' stock has really dropped over the last few years, as he was expected to be a 20-goal scorer.

The B's have also signed defenseman Derek Morris to a 1-year, $3.3 million contract.

The Canes have re-signed forward Tuomo Ruutu to a 3-year, $11.4 million contract.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have also re-signed goalie Justin Pogge to a 1-year, $605,000 contract. Brochu's take: There's also rumors that GM Brian Burke is trying to trade him, but his value is quite low at the moment.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defensemen Steve Wagner and Roman Polak.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Nate Thompson to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Lukas Kaspar to a one-year deal.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed forward Daniel Winnik to a 1-year deal.

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed forward Petteri Nokelainen.

Hockey and NHL rumors for July 21, 2009

The San Jose Sharks remain interested in Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley. Ken Warren of the Canwest News Service speculates that GM Doug Wilson is still looking to make changes, and the acquistion of Heatley would definitely bring some of that change. Warren suggests that it's possible to trade forwards Patrick Marleau and Jonathon Cheechoo in exchange for the disgruntled forward. Brochu's take: Marleau still has a no trade clause. Value-wise, it's not a bad trade, but Cheechoo is a shadow of his 56-goal season. Marleau's play has improved under coach Richards, but who knows what he will be under coach Clouston. Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed forwards David Spina and Jeff Hoggan, and defenseman Sean Sullivan to contracts. Terms were not disclosed.

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed defensemen Brett Carson and Bryan Rodney to one-year, two-way contracts.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Los Angeles Kings have signed Slovakian forward Juraj Mikus to a contract. Brochu's take: Mikus could impress. He was once amongst the top scorers in the Slovakian league. Source

The Nashville Predators have signed forward Ben Eaves to a contract. Eaves spent last season with Blues of the Finnish league.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 1, 2008

Al Strachan on "The Hotstove" of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast reported that the Calgary Flames are shopping Mike Cammalleri, and are looking for a rugged winger in return. Brochu's take: I doubt that he is being shopped, as his play has really picked up in the last few weeks.

Adrian Dater of the Denver Post believes that the Colorado Avalanche are still interested in Buffalo Sabres forward Maxim Afinogenov, and are still making inquiries about him. Dater also reports that interest in trading defenseman Brett Clark has been lost due to the injury to Adam Foote. Brochu's take: I'm pretty sure Dater reported this Afinogenov rumor sometime last year, but I'm not sure. There hasn't been much interest in Afinogenov from any NHL team. Source

Tim Sassone of the Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that the Blackhawks are possibly shopping forward Martin Havlat, who has struggled of late. He believes that the Montreal Canadiens may be interested. Brochu's take: The Habs have been looking for a high scoring forward, but I don't think Havlat would fit into their system. Source

The following rumors come from rumor-monger extraordinaire, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to shed some salary, and are shopping defensemen Joe Corvo and Frantisek Kaberle, and forward Patrick Eaves. Brochu's take: Eaves has not progressed since the trade from the Senators.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may ship defenseman Pavel Kubina to new GM Brian Burke's old team, the Anaheim Ducks. Brochu's take: The Ducks are pushing the cap, I don't think they will add another defenseman with such a high salary.

Balsillie talking to 8 NHL teams?

According to the National Post, Jim Balsillie has talked with at least 8 NHL teams about a possible sale or minority partnership. It's believed that he has talked with the Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars. Brochu's take: As long as Gary Bettman remains the commissioner, Balsillie won't be able to get his NHL team. However, if Balsillie plays his cards right with the other owners, Bettman has no choice but to accept him. Source

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers have an interest in defenseman Andrej Meszaros, and may be willing to offer forward Scottie Upshall or RJ Umberger. Garrioch also reports that Meszaros turned down a lucrative deal from a Russian team. Source

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed forward Patrick Eaves to a three-year, $4.2 million contract extension. Brochu's take: Eaves has had an injury-plagued career so far, but this is a great deal for someone with 20-25 goal potential.

The Los Angeles Kings have traded defenseman TJ Fast to the St. Louis Blues for a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Source

TSN is reporting that the San Jose Sharks have asked the Tampa Bay Lightning permission to speak with fired coach John Tortorella. Meanwhile, Joel Quennville appears the frontrunner for the Sharks job.

Stillman, Commodore for Eaves, Corvo

The Carolina Hurricanes have traded forward Cory Stillman and defenseman Mike Commodore to the Ottawa Senators for forward Patrick Eaves and defenseman Joe Corvo. Hopefully this trade will spur more trading as the deadline approaches. Ottawa radio is also reporting that GM Bryan Murray may not be done dealing. Source

The Montreal Canadiens will not hand out any punishment to defenceman Ryan O'Byrne and forward Tom Kostopoulos after the two players were arrested outside of a Tampa nightclub early Monday morning. O'Byrne's name has been in the rumour mill lately, perhaps this will lower his trade value. Source

Big Senators-Kings trade?

According to Kevin Lee on XM Radio, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray is considering a package deal that would involve Ray Emery, Patrick Eaves and a prospect for a forward and a goaltender. The LA Kings are rumoured to be their destination. Jason LaBarbera would be coming back in return. As for the foward, a few names are out there. Dustin Brown, Patrick O'Sullivan, Alexander Frolov or Michal Handzus. Also, GM Murray and his assistant GM Tim Murray were both in Binghamton on Friday, leading to speculation that he was watching which prospect would be involved in the trade.

In other Senators news, the Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins are rumoured to be in discussions to play their 2008-2009 season openers in Sweden. Swedish media reports indicate the games would take place in the Globen Arena in Stockholm on October 4-5, 2008. Sources have indicated that the Toronto Maple Leafs were their first choice, but the Leafs could not come to terms financially. Source

Scott Niedermayer skated for a second time on Thursday, but remains unsure whether he will return to the Anaheim Ducks or retire. "No decision has been made," Niedermayer said. "Really, there is no change in anything right now, other than the fact I'm skating. When the decision does come, if it is to go back and play, I'm a little bit closer." Source