Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 12, 2010

Forward Ruslan Fedotenko and defenseman Garnet Exelby have been invited to the New York Rangers training camp.

Forward Marcus Nilson has been invited to the New Jersey Devils training camp.

Forward Tyler Arnason will be attending the Florida Panther's camp.

Defenseman Shane Hnidy has been invited to the Phoenix Coyotes training camp.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Free agent defenseman Christoph Schubert may be close to signing with Swedish club Frolunda HC. Source

According to an Austrian source, free agent defenseman Doug Lynch is looking to sign with an NHL team. It's believed the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are interested.

Latest NHL signings! Part VIII

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Mikael Samuelsson to a 3-year, $7.5 million contract.

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed forward Ryane Clowe to a 4-year, $14 million contract.

The Minnesota Wild have signed defenseman Shane Hnidy to a 1-year contract.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Ruslan Fedotenko to a 1-year, $1.8 million contract.

The New York Rangers have signed forward Tyler Arnason to a two-way deal. The Rangers also signed forwards Corey Locke and P.A. Parenteau to contracts.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed defenseman Shaun Heshka to a one-year deal.

The Calgary Flames have signed defenseman Staffan Kronwall. Terms were not disclosed.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Nate Guenin to a one-year deal.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Jason Krog.

Hnidy for Bochenski, update on more outdoor games

The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenseman Shane Hnidy and a sixth round pick in 2008 to the Boston Bruins for forward Brandon Bochenski. This is the "minor" deal that GM Brian Burke hinted at before. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN reports on his blog that several other teams are interested in conducting outdoor games, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs would like to have the game at BMO field, which is owned by MLSE, but it could also be held at Rogers Centre. Other teams interested are the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche. Source

For more on possible outdoor games, check my previous post here.

Ducks trade watch, day 7

The Anaheim Ducks trade watch continues. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the most likely return for Scott Niedermayer would be Sunday for the game against the San Jose Sharks. GM Brian Burke has until then to free up around $900,000 from next year's salary cap. McKenzie is saying that "Burke is sitting on some deals that could be done in a heartbeat. He could move veteran Defenceman Sean O'Donnell for a draft pick or package defenceman Shane Hnidy and forward Brad May and the financial issues would be solved. But Burke is entertaining the idea of a "hockey trade" that would improve the Ducks and defenceman Mathieu Schneider would be part of that were it to happen." Source

Randy Youngman of the OC Register is reporting that Burke has been talking trade with the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, Chicago Blackhawks and Caroline Hurricanes. He's also reporting a rumor that the New Jersey Devils are interested in Schneider. Source

The Ducks announced on Monday that they have signed defenseman Bruno St. Jacques to a one-year contract. Subsequently, St. Jacques was recalled from the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate. Source

With the sale of the team official, the Nashville Predators are moving forward with their hockey team. This could mean several trades to improve their team, as the Predators have been looking for better goaltending. A few hours before announcing the sale had closed, Predators Holdings Chairman David Freeman said GM David Poile would soon have more freedom to move forward with other contract negotiations, explore trade opportunities and establish future payroll. Source

Goaltender Fred Brathwaite has left the Atlanta Thrashers AHL affiliate in Chicago and has been suspended by the organization. It's believed he received an offer to play in Russia. There are rumours that he may return to his old RSL team, Aq Bars Kazan. Source

Brochu's fantasy and injury update:

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo may miss several games with a rib contusion he suffered several weeks ago.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards suffered a leg injury in the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.