Latest NHL signings! Part IV

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Mike Cammalleri to a 5-year, $60 million contract.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Mike Komisarek to a 5-year, $22.5 million contract.

The Boston Bruins have re-signed forward Byron Bitz.

The Minnesota Wild have signed defenseman Greg Zanon to a 3-year, $5.8 million contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed forward Vernon Fiddler to a 2-year, $2.2 million contract. Brochu's take: Why are the Coyotes still signing players?

The Boston Bruins have signed forward Steve Begin to a 1-year, $850,000 contract.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed forward Steve Sullivan to a 2-year, $7.5 million deal.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Samuel Pahlsson to a 3-year, $7.95 million contract.

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed forward/defenseman Jason Strudwick to a 1-year, $700,000 contract.

The BJs also signed goalie Mathieu Garon to a 2-year, $2.4 million deal.

EDM/PIT trade, Dubielewicz claimed by Columbus

The Edmonton Oilers traded goaltender Mathieu Garon to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday for goaltender Dany Sabourin, forward Ryan Stone, and a fourth-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Brochu's take: Hmmm. This doesn't exactly solve Edmonton's three-goalie carousel. I assume Sabourin will be sent to the minors (via waivers.). This is a cost-cutting move as well, as Garon's salary has come off the books.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have claimed goalie Wade Dubielewicz off waivers from the New York Islanders. Dubielewicz had to clear waivers before he could play for the Islanders, after spending the early part of the 2008-2009 season with Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL. Brochu's take: Poor guy. He was at the pre-game for the Isle before he got called off and told he was claimed. It's strange that Columbus waited this long to get a backup, considering the amount of goailes available lately. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 4, 2008

The Anaheim Ducks have traded forward Joakim Lindstrom to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Logan Stephenson.

The Carolina Hurricanes have fired head coach Peter Laviolette and have replaced him with former Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice. Maurice will become the interim head coach until the end of the season, and Ron Francis has been named associate coach. Brochu's take: A curious move, given Maurice's record with the Canes and Maple Leafs.

According to Doug MacLean of Sportsnet's Hockeycentral, the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators are rumored to be involved in trade talks. MacLean states that Mathieu Garon could be involved, while the Oilers are looking for a gritty, veteran forward. Brochu's take: Perhaps they are interested in Mike Fisher? The Senators are still looking for a puck-moving defenseman, but I'm note sure if the Oilers have any to spare.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 2, 2008

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has requested and been granted permission by the Anaheim Ducks to talk to Dave Nonis about a position with the Leafs. Nonis has been a senior advisor in the Ducks organization. Brochu's take: Everybody in the NHL knew Burke would call his old buddy as soon as possible. Look for Nonis to become the new vice-president and director of hockey operations.

According to the Vancouver Province, Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman met with Mats Sundin's agent J.P. Barry in Calgary on Saturday. While the main topic of discussion was contract extentions with Mattias Ohlund, Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, Mats Sundin's future was also in play. It's believed that Barry will speak with Sundin about narrowing down his choices to 3-4 teams. Meanwhile, Sundin has been skating and working out at a secret location in Southern California. Brochu's take: Sundin's ETA back to the NHL won't be until after the new year, and possibly in February. By the way, I think this blog should be called Sundin is Hockey, as almost there are daily (or hourly) Sundin rumors. Source

The word is that the Chicago Blackhawks are also aggressively courting Sundin, and GM Dale Tallon is on the hot seat to make a winner of the Hawks this season.

Marty York of the Metro News is reporting that the Edmonton Oilers "are poised to complete a significant trade and/or fire coach Craig MacTavish, likely this week. [President] Kevin [Lowe]’s just about ready to pull the trigger." Brochu's take: MacTavish has been given a vote of confidence by Lowe and GM Steve Tambellini, so I don't think he will be fired. As for the "significant trade", the Oilers need a shakeup in the worst way. The word is that the Oilers are considering putting either Mathieu Garon or Dwayne Roloson on waivers, to clear some cap space. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Josh Gratton on waivers.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Starkov has left the organization and has signed with KHL club CSKA Moskva (Moscow). Source

Poll Results:

When will Brian Burke become the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs?

In the next two weeks	70 (46%)
Before Christmas	38 (25%)
After Christmas	23 (15%)
Never	20 (13%)

Total Votes: 151

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls! This poll ended after Burke was named GM!

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 29, 2008

Marty York of Metro News is reporting rumors that the Edmonton Oilers are trying to trade a goaltender for a "hard-nosed forward. or two." York quotes two NHL sources that the Oilers are dangling one of their three goalies as trade bait. The Oilers currently have Dwayne Roloson, Mathieu Garon and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers on their roster. Brochu's take: I doubt that the Oilers are shopping Garon or Drouin-Deslauriers, but they have been shopping Roloson for a long time. Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed defenseman Ken Klee off re-entry waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks will pick up half of Klee's salary.

The Florida Panthers have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore to a one-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Konstantin Pushkarev has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian KHL. The Dallas Stars released Pushkarev earlier this month.

Russian sources are reporting that the Colorado Avalanche may be interested in signing goaltender Ray Emery once the KHL season is over. Brochu's take: There may be better goalies available next summer.

Poll Results:

Should the NHL expand to Europe?

Yes	14 (10%)
No	114 (82%)
Who cares?	10 (7%)

Total votes: 138

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!!