Hockey Rumors for Feb 2, 2010

Happy Groundhog Day!

The Calgary Flames have traded forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the New York Rangers in exchange for forwards Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins. Brochu's take: This trade has been rumored for 24 hours, and it was believed that Kotalik's no trade clause was holding it up. The Flames wanted Jokinen in the lineup tonight, for some odd reason.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Nick Boynton on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed forward Trevor Gillies on waivers.

According to the Team 1040 in Vancouver, there is a rumor that the Vancouver Canucks are interested in acquiring Scott Niedermayer from the Anaheim Ducks. There is speculation that he wants to spend his last season in the NHL closer to home. Several Ducks' scouts were spotted at the last Toronto-Vancouver game.

Hossa offered 7 year, $50 million?

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Pittsburgh Penguins have offered Marian Hossa a 7 year, $50 million contract, and are waiting for his answer. It's believed the Penguins have made signing Hossa their top offseason priority.

The same Puck-rakers blog is speculating if Hossa is signed, the Columbus Blue Jackets will "swoop in" and trade for forward Ryan Malone's rights. The Jackets are rumored to be offering Dan Fritsche or a second/third round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry draft. Source

Various sources are saying the Pens are also close to re-signing Evgeni Malkin to a new contract extension. Rumors are that it will be a 5 or 6 year deal, perhaps less than what Sidney Crosby is getting.

The Penguins have also filed salary arbitration for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. This will prevent rival teams from sending offer sheets for Fleury.

TSN is reporting that Montreal Canadiens goalie Yann Danis will not return with the team, and will test free agency. Rumors are that the Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings are interested in the young netminder.

In a Sportsnet interview, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed that goalie Ray Emery will not be back with the team, and could be bought out in the next 48 hours. He also stated that it was unlikely that Wade Redden will remain with the Sens, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Ryan Potulny to a one-year deal.

Peter DeBoer has been named the head coach of the Florida Panthers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Trevor Gillies to a one-year contract. Source

Shremp rumor update, Jagr to Russia?

According to to Oilers blog The Pipeline Show Blog, Rob Schremp's agent Scott Norton has denied that Schremp has had any real contact with Swedish teams. Norton believes that a person on the internet contacted Shremp about the possibility of playing in Europe in general terms, but there has been no official contact from any club. Norton did admit that Schremp is "not happy" with his current situation. Brochu's take: The Edmonton Oilers may have to deal with Schremp sometime this summer, and may have to decide if he is part of their future. Schremp could be used as a trading chip in the off-season, as he is pursued by several teams.

New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr is scheduled to meet with Russian team Avangard Omsk this weekend to discuss a contract for next year. Rangers GM Glen Sather is already scheduled to meet Omsk GM Anatoly Bardin about prospect Alexei Cherepanov coming to North America. With Jagr scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer because he failed to meet performance bonuses, he may be too pricey for the Rangers to re-sign. Brochu's take: This could be a bargaining tactic by Jagr to get a better contract, but he does genuinely like playing in Russia. Cherepanov stated in a previous interview that he would remain in Russia for another year, but it's possible that the Rangers could arrange an agreement to get Cherepanov out of his contract with Omsk. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Cody Wild to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers also inked center Tim Sestito to a two-year contract extension. Source

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Spencer Machacek to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Thrashers are also trying to sign prospect Angelo Esposito to a contract before the summer, but GM Don Waddell says negotiations are "not close". Source

The Minnesota Wild have signed Colton Gillies to a three-year, $2.625 million deal, beginning with the 2008-09 season ($87,500 signing bonus each year). Gillies also signed an amateur tryout contract to finish the season with the AHL Houston Aeros. Source

The Minnesota Star Tribune is also reporting that the Wild will offer defenseman Kurtis Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract. Brochu's take: Foster has more things to worry about than a contract after that horrific leg injury. At around $1 million, that's a bargain.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Nick Holden to a three-year, entry-level contract. Brochu's take: The Jackets stole one here. Holden is going to be a good player in the NHL.

NHL rumor update Mar 3

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune is reporting that the Minnesota Wild were willing to deal forward Benoit Pouliot at the trade deadline. This could be because the 21-year-old forward has not had a very good season, scoring only 9 goals and 21 points in 42 AHL games. Apparently, teams were asking for the availability of James Sheppard, Mikko Koivu and Colton Gillies. Source

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Ben Maxwell to an entry level, 3-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Source

The Ottawa Senators are reportedly close to signing forward Jesse Winchester to a free agent contract. The 6'1, 205 pound forward plays for the Colgate University Raiders. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Ottawa Senators are rumoured to be close to signing prospect Peter Regin to a contract. The Danish forward is having a good season with Timrå of the Swedish Elite League. Source

There is a rumor that an NHL team is interested in Regin's teammate, Mika Pyörälä. "There is an NHL team that has spoken with me about Mika," Pyorala's agent Juuso Pullianen said. Pullianen also said that several other teams have shown interest in the free agent. Could he be the next over-hyped European free agent to come over to North America? Source

Oleg "Freakin" Saprykin is reportedly interested in returning to the NHL. He led his team CSKA Moscow in scoring with 26 goals and 46 points, according to Sovietsky Sport. (Translation via the New York Times Slap Shot blog) Source