Latest NHL signings! Part V

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Mathieu Darche to a contract.

The Habs also signed forward Brian Gionta to a 5-year, $25 million contract. Brochu's take: Gainey continues to make wholesale changes to his team. But at the same time, are they getting smaller?

The New York Rangers have signed forward Marian Gaborik to a 5-year, $37.5 million contract. Brochu's take: Sather really hates cap space. He despises cap space.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed goalie Jason LaBarbera to a 2-year deal.

The Calgary Flames have signed forward Fredrik Sjostrom to a 2-year, $1.5 million contract.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward John Madden to a 1-year, $2.75 million deal.

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Martin Havlat to a 6-year, $30 million contract. Brochu's take: New GM Chuck Fletcher is doing a pretty good job signing free agents, at $5 million per year, Havlat is a bargain.

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Chris Neil to a 4-year, $8 million contract.

The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Chris Thorburn.

The Boston Bruins have re-signed forward Mark Recchi to a 1-year, $1 million contract.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Nik Antropov to a 4-year, $16 million contract.

Weekend rumor roundup for Jan 31-Feb 1, 2009

Here's the lastest NHL and rumour roundup for the weekend of Jan 31-Feb 1, 2009:

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks are interested in re-signing Martin Havlat to a long-term contract extension. There appears to be interest on both sides. Garrioch also adds that the Montreal Canadiens had planned to make a hard run at Havlat at the trade deadline, and were going to pursue him in the summer. Brochu's take: The Hawks are not going to trade Havlat when they are in a playoff position. However, I do see Havlat looking to the open market in the summer.

The Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins could be interested in more toughness, and Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil could be a possibility. Garrioch speculates that it would cost any team a 2nd round pick. There has also been one NHL team interested in forward Shean Donovan.

The Atlanta Thrashers are looking to move forward Marty Reasoner. Brochu's take: Along with half of Atlanta's roster.

The New Jersey Devils are rumored to be willing to move forward Brian Gionta. Brochu's take: Ain't going to happen, Bruce.

The Los Angeles Kings are looking to move forward Alexander Frolov. Brochu's take: He could be available, but the price to get him would be high. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for July 8, 2008

The Calgary Herald is reporting that Flames GM Darryl Sutter has a couple of moves planned, and one could be acquiring Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe. Writer Bruce Dowbiggin also speculates that the Flames could go after New Jersey Devils forward Brian Gionta. Brochu's take: A strange rumor, as the Flames are very near the cap, and why would they need another huge contract? As for Gionta, they are looking for wingers to play in the top 6. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Greg Mauldin to a two-year contract.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Minnesota Wild have signed defenseman Tomas Mojzis to a multi-year contract. Mojzis spent the past two seasons in Russia.

Forward Ivan Khomutov has left the New Jersey Devils organization and has signed with CSKA Moskva (Moscow) for the 2008-2009 season. Source

There are rumors that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Joakim Lindstrom could be returning to play in Sweden.

There are also rumors that New Jersey Devils forward Sergei Brylin could be signing with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl if he gets no offers from NHL teams.

Swedish reports are saying that the Nashville Predators are close to signing forward Linus Videll.

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!