Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 7, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Jason Williams to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed forward Brendan Shanahan to a one-year deal.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Jannik Hansen to a one-year, two-way contract.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen has retired from hockey. Brochu's take: One of the few remaining players that actually played for the Winnipeg Jets, he will be missed.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Drew Bannister to a one-year deal. Bannister played for the Kassel Huskies in Germany last season.

Forward Jeff Hamilton has left the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and signed with HC Lugano in Switzerland. Source

Nashville Predators forward Antti Pihlstrom has left the organization and signed with Swedish club Farjestad. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 6, 2009

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free agent forward Jeff Hamilton for the rest of the season. Brochu's take: A curious move, coming after the NHL trade deadline. He's likely a roster filler so the Leafs don't have to use their callups.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Florida Panthers were weighing two offers for defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who was ultimately not traded. The Vancouver Canucks were willing to give up forward Mason Raymond and a 1st rounde draft pick. It's believed that Florida wanted either defensemen Kevin Bieksa or Alex Edler included and GM Mike Gillis wasn't willing to make the move. The Philadelphia Flyers were offering Joffrey Lupul or Scottie Upshall along with prospect James van Riemsdyk and a 1st round pick. The Panthers wanted Scott Hartnell. Upshall was eventually traded to the Phoenix Coyotes. Brochu's take: In my opinion, GM Jacques Martin will regret not getting something for Bouwmeester. He's already turned down a contract offer, and even if the Panthers make the playoffs, it's not guaranteed they'll make it far. However, I do think that Bouwmeester's negotiation rights will be offered in the summer, likely for a draft pick. Source

The Washington Post's Tarik El-Bashir is reporting that the Capitals had talked to the Anaheim Ducks about acquiring Chris Pronger, but the asking price was much too high. The Ducks wanted defenseman Karl Alzner, goalie Simeon Varlamov and prospect John Carlson. Brochu's take: That would fall in line with Pronger's supposed asking price. Look for a similar type of package by other NHL teams this summer, when Pronger will be available. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for June 24, 2008

The Ottawa Senators have officially bought out the contract of goalie Ray Emery, making him an unrestricted free agent. Emery signed a three-year, $9.5 million contract in July of 2007 and has two years and $6.75 million remaining on his contract. Under CBA rules, the Senators are on the hook for one-third of Emery's remaining salary, $2.25 million. That amount will be spread across twice the length of the remaining years of the contract, resulting in a cap hit of slightly less than $600,000 for the next four years. Brochu's take: The Senators couldn't find a trade partner for the troubled netminder, but some team will pick him up. Emery also has the option to play in Europe.

Los Angeles Kings goale Dan Cloutier was expected to be bought out over the weekend but, according to CKNW Radio in Vancouver, a source is claiming that if the former Canucks goalie is injured, the team cannot complete the move, and will be force to pay his $3 million salary for the 2008-2009 NHL season. Brochu's take: Cloutier and "injuries" go together like ham and eggs. I expect some sort of grievance will be filed to the NHLPA for this.

Three players have been put on waivers by their teams for the purpose of being bought out if they clear waivers tomorrow at noon: Washington Capitals forward Ben Clymer and Carolina Hurricanes' Jeff Hamilton and David Tanabe. Brochu's take: There are rumors that the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers have interest in Hamilton has a power play specialist.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed defenseman Shea Weber to a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Vaclav Prospal to a four-year, $14 million contract extension. Source

The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed forward Andrew Ladd to a two-year, $3.1 million contract. Source

Canes interested in Hamilton, Yzerman back

According to the Boston Globe, the Boston Bruins had some interest in Jeff Hamilton when he was put on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes. There are rumors that he will be picked up by the Bruins should he be put on re-entry waivers. Source

Several teams, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, have called the Vancouver Canucks about forward Ryan Kesler and defenseman Alexander Edler. These two young players seem to the be most desired by teams around the NHL.

Radio reports in Minnesota have rumours that the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens are talking.

Also, GM Dave Nonis confirmed that he will be in the running in the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes. He didn't watch Forsberg on his trip to Sweden; instead he took the time to observe 22-year old Fabian Brunnstrom. Nonis seemed unimpressed about Brunnstrom's performance in the one game he saw. Source

Canada's team at the 2008 World Championship in Quebec City and Halifax will once again be led by Steve Yzerman, who successfully guided Canada to the gold medal at the 2007 World Championship in Moscow. There is speculation that he will be joined by Pat Quinn, who helped coach Canada to gold at the 2007 Spengler Cup. Source

Waiver wire update

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed forward Jeff Hamilton on waivers.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed forward Maxim Kondratiev on waivers.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Mike Zigomanis has cleared waivers.