NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 18, 2009

The Toronto Maple Leafs can be safely ruled out of the Dany Heatley sweepstakes. In an interview with NHL Live! on the NHL Network, GM Brian Burke expressed his non-interest in the Ottawa Senators player and disdain for the way he has demanded his trade request. Brochu's take: People who live in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones. Burke took advantage of a similiar situation when he landed Chris Pronger in Anaheim. Source

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed defenseman Alex Goligoski to a three-year contract extension.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Quintin Laing to a one-year contract extension.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

KHL team Atlant Mytischi has offered Phoenix Coyotes forward Enver Lisin a two-year contract. Brochu's take: Given the Coyotes financial situation, the likelihood of Lisin leaving for Russia is pretty high. Source

There's a rumor that KHL team Barys Astana has offered a two-year, $6 million contract to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Miroslav Satan. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 18, 2009

According to Tim Wharnsby of the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Maple Leafs were close to a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins last weekend, but the firing of Michel Therrien could have scuttled those talks. Rumors were that the Leafs would send Nik Antropov to the Pens for Ryan Whitney, or a package of a 1st rounder and defenseman Alex Goligoski. There also was belief that if the Penguins acquired Antropov, he may have been used as part of a package for a trade to the Atlanta Thrashers for scoring whiz Ilya Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong. Brochu's take: First, that would be a huge overpayment for Antropov, who is definitely not worth a Whitney or even a Goligoski. Antropov is being shopped, but his value is not that high. As for Kovalchuk rumor, he's not moving this year and certainly not in a package involving Antropov. Source

Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has sent Alex Kovalev home for the next two road games. Gainey told Kovalev to rest his body and get his mind straightened out. When asked if he would trade Kovalev, Gainey responded, "It is trading season." Brochu's take: Not exactly a confidence boost, is it? And Gainey didn't deny that he was shopping Kovalev. Source

TSN is reporting that there has been an offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes. The party is unnamed at this point. Brochu's take: Perhaps Jim Balsillie?