NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 2, 2009

According to the LetsgoDU blog, Denver University free agent forward Tyler Bozak will be signing a contract with an NHL team in the next day or two, and the teams on the top of his list are the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and the New York Islanders. The Columbus Blue Jackets were in the running, but the Bozak camp has told them he is not interested. Source

The NHL have disciplined the Toronto Maple Leafs for their handling of defenseman Jonas Frogren last summer. Sources say the Leafs have been fined $500,000 for paying Frogren a $755,000 signing bonus which violated the CBA. The Maple Leafs will also have to pay an additional penalty in the form of a fourth draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Frogren's contract will not be affected. Brochu's take: What a cruel April Fool's joke on the Leafs, except it's no joke and a very serious matter. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward James van Riemsdyk to a three-year, entry-level contract. He had been playing at the University of New Hampshire for the past two seasons and was the Flyer's 2nd overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Stefan Della Rovere to a three-year, entry-level contract. Della Rovere was the Caps' seventh-round choice, 204th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Matt Generous to a one-year, entry-level contract. Generous has played the past four seasons with St. Lawrence University and was the Sabres' seventh-round pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Los Angeles Kings have signed free agent forward Corey Elkins to a one-year entry-level contract. Elkins spent the past four seasons with Ohio State University. Source

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.

European free agent rumor update for July 4, 2008

This is the big version of Brochu's European rumor roundup, a regular feature on this blog.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are close to signing Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren. Frogren plays with Farjestads BK, and also played for Sweden at the IIHF world championship in Quebec and Halifax this past spring. Source

New York Islanders forward Josef Vasicek has signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League (KHL). Source

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist. Tjarnqvist spent last season with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Nashville Predators forward Matt Ellison has signed with Dinamo Riga in Latvia.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Marcel Hossa has also signed with Dinamo Riga. Source

Philadelphia Flyers forward Stefan Ruzicka has signed a contract with Spartak Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Dwight Helminen to a one-year, two-way contract. Helminen spent last season with JYP in the SM-Liiga.

There are also rumors that San Jose Sharks defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh could be signing with Dinamo Riga as well. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for May 18, 2008

According to the Calgary Sun, the Flames are among several NHL teams that want to sign Swedish forward Martin Thornberg. Thornberg scored 20 goals and 17 assists in 51 games for HV71 and also netted another 17 points in 17 playoff games. Brochu's take: Another unsigned European forward? There seems to be a trend this summer to sign these guys. Source

Aftonbladet is reporting that three players playing for Sweden at the 2008 IIHF World Championship are getting a lot of interest from NHL teams. Forward Johan Andersson is being observed closely by the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings, while forward Per Ledin and defenseman Jonas Frogren have also been closely observed. Source

Rumors from Sweden indicate that Red Wings forward Johan Ryno may leave the Wings to play with Elitserien team AIK. Source

Teemu Selanne announced he has retired from international hockey, and will not play for Finland anymore. He also stated that he will make a decision on his NHL future by July 1. Brochu's take: Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke will have an aneurysm if Selanne again waits half a year to decide. Source

According to the Puck-rakers blog at the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets will wait till July 1 to negotiate with restricted free-agent Dan Fritsche.

The same blog is reporting that the San Jose Sharks will trade Patrick Marleau this summer before his no trade clause kicks in, and the Calgary Flames are interested in the centre. Source