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 12, 2008

According to the Miami Herald, the Florida Panthers are looking to deal forward Olli Jokinen, but they expect any package to include a 1st round pick. It's believed Calgary, Minnesota, Vancouver, Dallas and Philadelphia would be interested in Jokinen. Brochu's take: There's been some rumors that the Blue Jackets and Sharks are interested. Florida's ownership wants a big name player in return, not just draft picks and prospects. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have confirmed that interim GM Cliff Fletcher will remain the GM for the 2008-2009 season.

The San Jose Sharks are expected to announce on Thursday that they will hire Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Todd McLellan as their new head coach. Source

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed goalie Jonas Hiller to two-year contract extension. The Ducks also re-signed forward Andrew Ebbett to a two-year contract extension.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goalie Michael Leighton to a two-year, $1.2-million contract.

The Minnesota Wild have re-signed defenseman Erik Reitz to a one-year contract.

More Duck deals, Keenan to be fired by All-Star break?

*** Trade rumor update 12:30 AM EST ***

Jonas Hiller has been recalled by the Anaheim Ducks and it could mean that Ilya Bryzgalov is on his way out. "I think we will see the last of him in Portland; I think the Jonas Hiller bio will be similar to what we saw with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf," said Pirates coach Kevin Dineen in a recent video interview. This trade may involve Toronto. **3:00 AM EST update ** Bryzgalov may have been put on waivers. Stay tuned. Source

Marty York of Metro News is reporting that Mike Keenan is on the hot seat. According to sources, Keenan’s rigid methods have not been appreciated by the majority of the Flames and that captain Jarome Iginla has confronted, or soon will confront, the coach on the team’s behalf. An NHL assistant coach told York that " If things don’t improve in Calgary, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mike replaced by the all-star game." Source

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired defenceman Aaron Rome and left-winger Clay Wilson from the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday in exchange for centre Geoff Platt. All three players have been assigned to their respective AHL affiliates. Source

Erik Rasmussen has signed a professional tryout contract with the New Jersey Devils AHL affiliate in Lowell. Source

Andre Lakos has been assigned to Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League. The Austrian defenseman signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild in June. "He came over with the idea he'd get a shot at the NHL level," said Wild GM Doug Risebrough, adding Lakos' play with Houston in the American Hockey League showed he wasn't motivated to stay here. Source