Big trade day!

Only a massive trade day like today would awaken me from my blogging slumber! So to review:

The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenseman Ian White. Brochu's take: My philosophy is that the team that the best player goes to "wins" the trade, and in this case I would have to say Toronto gets the better end of the deal. Phaneuf is capable of much more, and he will get plenty of ice-time in T.O. Hagman/Stajan are good players, and I'm not sure how the Leafs will score from now on. Calgary gets a lot more offensive in this deal.

The Leafs have also acquired goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Jason Blake. Brochu's take: Toskala's contract, along with Blake's, were essentially dead weight. After the signing of Hiller, Giguere's contract was the same on the Ducks. I see this trade more of moving dead money around than actual players.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed goalie Jonas Hiller to a 4-year, $18 million contract extension. Brochu's take: Not a bad deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a contract. The Tampa Bay Lightning had terminated his contract when he didn't show up to his AHL assignment.

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

Giguere to miss 2 months?

According to RDS, Jean-Sébastien Giguère will miss up to 10 weeks after his hernia surgery. Doctors have told Giguere that he will miss at least the first few weeks of the season. This should put a stop to the Ilya Bryzgalov trade rumours, and look for Anaheim to shop for a temporary fill-in for Giguere. Source

The Ducks have hired Trent Yawney as a scout. Yawney was fired as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks late last year.

The Kings have signed free agent Drew Bagnall to an entry-level contract.

There's been a lot of talk between Toronto and Dallas lately. The Stars are very interested in Matt Stajan.