NHL and Hockey Rumors for February 9, 2013

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired defenceman Keaton Ellerby from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The Boston Bruins are looking to sign goalie Tuukka Rask to a long-term contract extension.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to sources, Sergei Fedorov is considering a return to hockey.  Fedorov is the general manager of CSKA Moskva of the KHL, and his roster has been depleted since the players had returned to the NHL.  Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 26, 2009

I will be live-blogging during the NHL Entry Draft, beginning around 7 PM EST/ 4 PM PST!

Pierre McGuire of TSN is reporting that Florida Panthers assistant (acting) GM Randy Sexton has set a price of a 3rd or 4th round pick for the negotiation rights to impending UFA defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. The Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers are the most rumored teams to be involved. Brochu's take: Various sources have indicated that his rights could be traded as early as Friday.

Tim Wharnsby of the Globe and Mail is reporting that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has targeted several players on different teams as trade possibilities. It's believed that Burke is interested in acquiring defenseman Wade Redden from the New York Rangers and forward Peter Schaefer from the Boston Bruins. It's also believed he has interest in Anaheim Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Giguere has a no trade clause, but Toronto is one of several NHL teams on a list he has provided to Ducks management that he will accept a move to. Source

The no.4 overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, owned by the Atlanta Thrashers, is definitely in play. Thrashers GM Don Waddell has admitted that he is shopping the pick, and he's had some discussions with the Leafs. Brochu's take: In a later interview, Waddell admitted there wasn't much progress in the trade talks, but we shall see on draft day.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN is reporting that the San Jose Sharks are shopping restricted free agent forward Ryane Clowe. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Washington Capitals forward Sergei Fedorov has officially signed a two-year deal with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL. Source

Defenseman Lasse Kukkonen has left the Philadelphia Flyers organization and signed with Russian club Avangard Omsk. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 27, 2009

The Edmonton Oilers have named Pat Quinn as head coach and Tom Renney as associate coach. Both Quinn and Renney agreed to 3-year contracts with an unwritten understanding, assuming all parties remain employed at the end of their contracts, Renney will have an opportunity to take over as head coach if Quinn retires. The move reunites the pair with GM Steve Tambellini, who along with Quinn and Renney spent time with the Vancouver Canucks organization. Brochu's take: Tambellini definitely looked up his rolodex to fill these jobs. This brings up an even more intriguing rumor. We all know Jaromir Jagr would love to play with the Oilers. Could the hiring of Renney, his old coach in New York, expediate the process? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, a few hours down Highway 2 in Calgary, GM Darryl Sutter admits that if he can't find someone better than himself, he will become the next coach of the Calgary Flames. Sutter revealed that he's looking at three candidates, but all are currently employed by NHL teams. Sutter also announced that assistant coaches Rich Preston and Rob Cookson and goalie coach David Marcoux will not have their contracts renewed when they expire June 30. Brochu's take: A clean house! Meanwhile, Jim Playfair gets the shaft once again.

Jim Balsillie's offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes comes with an expiry date. The Canadian billionaire is only willing to put up US$212.5-million for the NHL team until June 30, according to documents filed in a U.S. bankruptcy court on Tuesday.

Geoffrey E. Molson, vice-president of marketing for the Molson Coors Brewing Co., said in a statement Tuesday he's interested in submitting a bid to buy the hockey team.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward Jay McClement to a multi-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.

The Washington Capitals have signed undrafted free agent forward Jake Hauswirth to a three-year entry-level contract. The 21-year old Hauswirth has spent the last two seasons with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

The New York Rangers have signed defenseman Michael Del Zotto to a three-year, entry-level contract. Del Zotto was the Rangers 1st round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to RDS, Washington Capitals forward Viktor Kozlov has signed a deal with Salavat Yulaev of the KHL. Source

RDS is also reporting that eporting that Caps forward Sergei Fedorov is about to agree to a two-year, $7.6 million contract with Russia's Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Fedorov would be joining his younger brother Fedor on the Metallurg Magnitogorsk roster. Brochu's take: I smell another Fedorov brothers rap album! Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Radek Smolenak has left the organization and signed with KHL team Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL. Brochu's take: That Russian team is serious need of vowels. Source

Anaheim Ducks forward Petri Kontiola has left the organization and signed with KHL team Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 23, 2008

The New York Islanders have signed free agent forward Mark Parrish to a 25 game AHL contract. He will be given a chance to earn an NHL contract.

The St. Louis Blues have placed defenseman Jeff Woywitka on waivers.

The Blues have also signed goaltender Jake Allen to a contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

New Jersey Devils forward Fedor Fedorov has signed with KHL team Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in Tartarstan. He had been given permission by the Devils to seek a contract elsewhere. Brochu's take: I don't think we'll see Sergei's "little" brother in the NHL again. He'll always have his rap career to fall back on. Source

Six major European domestic leagues announced on Wedensday that they have organized a group to protect their leagues against player raids and expansion by the NHL and KHL. Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland have banded to form "Hockey Europe", and the NHL has recognized the group as a partner. Read on here.

Weekend rumor roundup Oct 4-5, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Zach Boychuk to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Jamie Heward to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Cody Hodgson to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Canucks have also put forward Jeff Cowan on waivers.

The Anaheim Ducks have claimed defenseman Nathan McIver off waivers from the Vancouvers Canucks.

The Montreal Canadiens have placed goaltender Marc Denis and defenseman Alex Henry on waivers.

Atlanta Thrashers goaltending prospect Ondrej Pavelec has refused a demotion to the AHL Chicago Wolves, and is asking for a trade. Source

Ottawa Senators forward Brad Isbister has refused an assignment to Binghamton and has been allowed to seek other options. Sens prospect Alexander Nikulin has also requested a trade.

The New Jersey Devils have allowed forward Fedor Fedorov to seek other options, as he has not earned a spot on the Devils' roster.

NHL free agent signings for July 9, 2008

Former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery has signed a one-year deal with Atlant Mytishchi of the new Russian Continental Hockey League. The deal is reportedly worth in excess of $2 million plus bonuses. Brochu's take: This was pretty obvious as none of the teams looking for goaltending even went near the guy. Maybe he can get his act together and come back to the NHL in 2009-2010.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Sergei Fedorov to a one-year, $4 million contract.

The Caps also signed forward Brooks Laich to a three-year, $6.2 million contract extension.

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenseman Josh Gorges to a three-year contract.

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to a three-year, $9.3 million contract extension.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed centre Michael Peca to a one-year, $1.315 million contract. The BJs also signed defenseman Andrey Plekhanov to a two-year contract and defenseman Clay Wilson and left wing John Vigilante to one-year contracts.

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed forward Chad LaRose to a one-year, $875,000 contract extension.

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed forward Jean-Francois Jacques to a two-year contract.

NHL and hockey rumors for July 5, 2008

According to TBO.com, The Tampa Bay Lightning may have one or two more moves in the near future, and it could happen sometime this weekend. Writer Erik Erlendsson speculates that the Lightning could be signing defenseman Jason Smith, and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Michel Ouellet could be on the block. Brochu's take: Rumors are that the Canucks, Oilers and Leafs are interested in the forwards. Source

The Vancouver Province is reporting that UFA forward Brendan Morrison has rejected the Canucks offer of a one-year, $1.9 million contract and will sign with another team next week. Morrison is currently fielding offers from up to 9 teams. The Minnesota Wild may be the frontrunners to land the centre. Source

The Lightning have also signed forward Zenon Konopka to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Fedor Fedorov to a contract. Fedorov spent last season playing with Dynamo Moskva (Moscow).

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Janne Pesonen to a contract. Pesonen played for Karpat in 2007-2008. Source

The Atlanta Thrashers are rumored to be close to signing defenseman Ilya Nikulin from Ak Bars Kazan.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed defenseman Jonas Frogren to a contract.

NHL trade deadline round-up: Part 2

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Wade Belak to the Florida Panthers for a 5th round pick in 2008.

The Leafs also traded defenseman Hal Gill to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2nd round pick in 2008 and a 5th round pick in 2009.

The Leafs also traded forward Chad Kilger to the Florida Panthers for a 3rd round pick in 2008.

The Florida Panthers traded defenseman Ruslan Salei to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Karlis Skrastins and 3rd round pick in 2008.

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded defenseman Adam Foote to the Colorado Avalanche for for a conditional first-round draft pick in 2008 or 2009, depending if Colorado makes it in the playoffs. The Jackets would get another conditional 4th round pick in 2009 if Foote re-signs with the Avs.

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Sergei Fedorov to the Washington Capitals for defenseman Ted Ruth.

The Montreal Canadiens traded goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a 2nd round pick in 2009.

The Washington Capitals traded forward Matt Pettinger to the Vancouver Canucks for forward Matt Cooke.

Lightning interested in Roloson, Theodore?

According to the Boston Globe, there are rumors that the Tampa Bay Lightning are "sniffing around" Edmonton Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson and Colorado Avalanche netminder Jose Theodore. The Lightning are still looking for a no. 1 goalie. Source

The Globe is also reporting that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sergei Fedorov could be headed to the Carolina Hurricanes. During the 1998 Olympic break, the Canes offered the then-Group II free agent a contract, which the Detroit Red Wings matched. The Wings are also rumoured to be interested in re-acquiring Fedorov. The Jackets are interested in Wings forward Tomas Kopecky. Source

The Chicago Blackhawks have pushed all in in the poker game that is the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes. RDS is reporting that the Hawks have offered a 3-year, $11 million contract. Foppa is rumored to be seriously considering the offer. Source

RDS is also reporting that 3 teams are interested in Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Foote. The Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers are reportedly interested in the defenseman. Source

Various sources are reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks have signed defenseman Brent Seabrook to a 3-year, $10.5 million contract extension.

Possible Olli Jokinen offers?

Several offers for Florida Panther Olli Jokinen has been speculated in the rumour mill lately, including:

The Calgary Flames have offered Alex Tanguay and a 2nd round pick, and a conditional pick.

The Montreal Canadiens have offered Michael Ryder, Ryan O'Byrne and a 3rd rounder.

CKAC 730 radio in Montreal is reporting that the Florida Panthers have been scouting O'Byrne for a while, and GM Jacques Martin is very interested in the big defenseman.

There were at least 2 Montreal Canadiens scouts watching the Atlanta Thrashers-New Jersey Devils game Friday. The Canadiens have been rumored to be a big player in the Marian Hossa Sweepstakes, and could also be looking at Devils forward Brian Gionta.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sergei Fedorov could be returning to the Red Wings at the trade deadline. The Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website reports that GM Scott Howson spent half of the morning skate in conversation with Wings' GM Ken Holland and assistant GM Jim Nill. Speculate away! Source

The Buffalo News is reporting that the Buffalo Sabres should look to move one of Maxim Afinogenov, Tim Connolly, Ales Kotalik and Dmitri Kalinin. Source

Poll Results:

Who will sign Peter Forsberg?

Philadelphia Flyers	100 (36%)
Colorado Avalanche	21 (7%)
Vancouver Canucks	109 (39%)
Ottawa Senators	16 (5%)
Anaheim Ducks	3 (1%)
New York Rangers	7 (2%)
Other	20 (7%)

Total votes: 276

Thank you for participating in the polls!

Rangers-Blue Jackets rumors heat up

Aaron Portzline writes on the Puck-rakers blog from the Columbus Dispatch that eight scouts were on hand to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets-LA Kings game Thursday night. Rick Kehoe of the New York Rangers is watching the Blue Jackets for the sixth or seventh time this season, while Gordie Roberts of the Montreal Canadiens was also present. You may remember that the rumours of a trade between the Jackets and Rangers were flying last week. The Blue Jackets remain interested in winger Petr Prucha, while the Rangers may be looking at Manny Malholtra, who has just returned from injury.

There was also that Sergei Fedorov to Montreal rumour a few weeks back, which you can read here. Other names in the rumor mill for both teams include defensemen Adam Foote, Marek Malik and Paul Mara.

The other teams that were represented were two scouts each from the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins, and one each from the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks. Portzline speculates that these teams probably expect the Kings and Jackets to be sellers at the trade deadline and may be doing some advance scouting. But then again, a trade may be imminent. Source

Peter Forsberg is close to skating again. TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that Forsberg is waiting for clearance from doctors to begin skating. Foppa has still not had serious discussions with any NHL team. Sources are indicating that he would prefer to return to the Philadelphia Flyers, but both the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators could be likely destinations. Source

Rumours from Bruce Garrioch

Here are the latest rumors from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, who seems to have dipped into the eggnog early:

Garrioch reports that the Pittsburgh Penguins have talked to the Atlanta Thrashers about Marian Hossa. Penguins GM Ray Shero has been looking for a winger for Sidney Crosby and the UFA may be available at the trade deadline.

It's also possible that the Nashville Predators could send J.P. Dumont to the Pens. Shero used to be GM David Poile's assistant.

The New York Rangers haven't had any talks with goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who can become a restricted free agent July 1 and is making $4.25 million this season. The Rangers are going to have to pony up about $8 million per season on a new contract to fend off the threat of an offer sheet from a team looking for goaltending help. The Tampa Bay Lightning, LA Kings and Edmonton Oilers would all be in the running.

Garrioch speculates that the Detroit Red Wings could be in the running to acquire Jaromir Jagr, if the Rangers decide to shop the forward.

Garrioch is repeating the rumors that Patrick Marleau is being shopped by the San Jose Sharks, and the Thrashers would love to bring him in as their no. 1 centre.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will entertain offers for three players if they drop out of the playoff race. Forwards Sergei Fedorov and Michael Peca, along with defenseman Adam Foote will be shopped by GM Scott Howson at the trade deadline if that happens.

The Ottawa Senators might move forward Antoine Vermette before the deadline. The Penguins made a call earlier in the season and may still be interested.

Fedorov to Montreal?

According to the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website, sources in Moscow are indicating that the Blue Jackets were about to trade Sergei Fedorov to the Montreal Canadiens. Coach Ken Hitchcock denied the rumor, but it's clear that Fedorov will be traded sometime this season.

The blog is also reporting that New York Rangers scout Rick Kehoe has been spotted in Columbus on three occasions in recent weeks. On Thursday, Jackets’ GM Scott Howson watched the Rangers play in Minnesota. Could something be up between these two teams? Source

Canucks interested in Sharp, Fedorov to Ottawa?

In an interview with the Vancouver Province, GM Dave Nonis answered a few questions about his under-performing team, while also addressing trade speculation. Here are some of the interesting parts:

Q: All the big moves are at the start of July 1 free agency, not the Feb. 26 trade deadline, and many teams are at or near the $50.3-million salary cap. You're at $47.6 million. How difficult is it to make a significant trade?

A: "It's difficult. There are deals I could make, but they're not good deals. They would either eat up the rest of the cap space or deals that are long and take players into age groups where you don't want them. "I also believe our players are better than they've performed."

Q: Would you throw prospects like Luc Bourdon and Cory Schneider into a trade package for the right player, say a proven top-six scorer?

A: "I don't have a problem doing it, but not just for a UFA [unrestricted free agent]. You're going to set yourself back years. We've improved our reserve list dramatically, but it's nowhere near where I want it to be. Taking players away from that, I don't have an appetite for it unless it brought back younger players that would help long term."

According to a source, the Canucks are also interested in Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks. Sharp has been relegated to third line duty in Chicago and can be had for a very low price. Source

Ian Mendes of Sportsnet is reporting on his blog that the Ottawa Senators could bring in Sergei Fedorov at the trading deadline. GM Bryan Murray has admitted that he has thought about Fedorov, but the Blue Jackets are doing well and may not offload the Russian centre if they are competing for a playoff spot. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that several teams in the NHL are very close to dealing as the US Thanksgiving weekend approaches. The Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks are shopping for a top 6 forward, while the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets are looking for help on the blueline. The Pittsburgh Penguins are also looking for speed up front. Source

In the Montreal-Atlanta game on Tuesday had 15 different scouts watching, along with assistant GM Steve Tambellini of the Vancouver Canucks. Source