Gillis spotted at Washington-Pittsburgh game?

According to TSN, Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis was spotted at the Washington Capitals - Pittsburgh Penguins game.  There are rumors that the Caps are the mystery team that Gillis was talking about a week ago in regards to a Roberto Luongo trade.  The Canucks are reported to be looking at forward Marcus Johansson and defenseman Tomas Kundratek.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 30, 2009

Sorry about the lack of updates lately, I have been involved in another hockey-related project and it's been taking up my time. But I should be updating the blog regularly in the lead-up to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft!

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Rick Rypien to a two-year, $1.1 million contract.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo to a three-year, entry-level contract. Bortuzzo was the Pens' third round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Alex Plante to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers took Plante in the 1st round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. (edit. Thanks for the correction!)

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Chris Terry to a three-year, entry-level deal. Terry was the Canes' 5th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Micheal Haley to a one-year, two-way NHL contract. Haley had been playing for the Isles' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

Brochu's European rumor roundup: (signings)

The Montreal Canadiens have officially signed free agent forward Mikael Johansson to a one-year, two-way contract. The 23-year-old Johansson has spent the past four seasons with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Elite League.

The Florida Panthers have signed free agent goaltender Alexander Salak to a contract. The 22 year old Czech native has spent the last two seaons with Finnish club TPS. Source

The New York Rangers have signed free agent forward Andres Ambuhl to a contract. Ambuhl has played for HC Davos in Switzerland for the past several seasons. Source

New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Pock has left the organization and signed a contract with Swiss club Rapperswil. Source

Weekend rumor roundup for May 23-24, 2009

The Calgary Flames have fired head coach Mike Keenan. Brochu's take: It was thought that Keenan's job was safe after the Flames playoff exit, but GM Darryl Sutter must have a change of mind. Sutter may take the job himself again.

According to the New York Post, Rangers forward Bobby Holik is set to retire from hockey. Holik wants to spend more time with his family. Brochu's take: Hard to think that Holik once earned $9 million a season in the pre-lockout days.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to Swedish reports, the Montreal Canadiens have offered a contract to free agent forward Mikael Johansson. The 23-year old forward played for Farjestad in the SEL. Source

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist is rumored to be signing with KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Source

Mariusz Czerkawski retires from hockey

Mariusz Czerkawski has decided to retire from hockey. The Polish forward played in 745 NHL games for the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders, totaling 215 goals and 220 assists. Czerkawski played the last two seasons for the Swiss Nationalliga A team Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, where he was the amongst the team leaders in points. Brochu's take: The "Polish Prince" was a decent scorer, both on and off the ice. Not only did he manage 20+ goals in 6 seasons, he managed to find time to marry (and divorce) ex-James Bond girl Izabella Scorupco. (The woman in the picture is his new wife, Miss Poland 2000). Source

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Martin St. Pierre to the Boston Bruins for forward Pascal Pelletier.

Boston Bruins forward Glen Murray has passed waivers. It's rumored that he will be bought out as soon as possible.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kevin Dallman has left the organization and signed with KHL team Barys Astana in Kazakhstan.

Florida Panthers defenseman Magnus Johansson has signed a three-year contract with Swedish team Linkoping. He will be loaned to KHL team Atlant Mytischy for the first year. Source

Defenseman Tom Wandell has left the Dallas Stars organization and signed with SEL team Timra for the 2008-2009 season.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mathieu Biron will play with DEL team Frankfurt Lions for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Radulov signs with Salavat Yulaev Ufa!

Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov has signed a three-year contract with KHL team Salavat Yulaev Ufa. In an interview with Russian paper Sport-Express, Radulov stated that he was approached by the Russian team with a great offer, an offer that Nashville could not match. Brochu's take: This isn't a rumor folks, this has happened. Radulov is due to be a RFA next year, so his contract will be suspended. If he ever returns to the NHL, he will have one year remaining on his entry-level deal. Source

There are rumors that Philadelphia Flyers forward Patrick Thoresen could be headed to Switzerland or Sweden, with SEL clubs Skellefteå, Timrå, and Brynäs the most interested in the Norwegian forward. Source

Swedish sources are saying that defenseman Jaroslav Modry could be signing with Malmo of the Elitserien for 2008-2009. Source

Florida Panthers defenseman Magnus Johansson is rumored to be headed to Atlant Mytischi of the KHL.

The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Brendan Buckley to a contract. Buckley spent last season playing for German club Iserlohner Roosters. Source

Goalie Mike Morrison has left the New York Islanders organization and signed with Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia. Source

Defenseman Bryce Lampman has left the Dallas Stars organization and signed with Amur Tigers Khabarovsk in Russia.

Edmonton Oilers forward Jonas Almtorp has been given a try-out for Lulea.

NHL and hockey rumors for May 20, 2008

According to The Hockey News' Brian Costello, CBC's Hockey Night in Canada analyst Craig Simpson will be leaving the network and returning to the Edmonton Oilers in some capacity, possibly as an assistant head coach. Source

Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has made it clear that Jeff Carter will be staying with the Flyers organization, one way or another. The Flyers could lose Carter to a Group II offer sheet of $5 million or more. "We'll sign or match," Holmgren said yesterday. "We're not going to lose Jeff." Brochu's take: It will take around $5 to $5.5 million to get Carter under contract. The Flyers are going to be pushing the cap next season, so look for them to unload some players this summer. Source

The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that the Flyers are unlikely to be signing defensemen Jason Smith and Jaroslav Modry, who are both due to become unrestricted free agents. Source

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

According to Aftonbladet, there are rumors that Florida Panthers defenseman Magnus Johansson could sign with Russian club Lokomotiv Yaroslav. Source

There are rumors that German club ERC Ingolstadt are pursuing two players; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Allan Rourke and Atlanta Thrashers forward Jesse Schultz. Source

NHL rumors for March 27, 2008

Erik Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail speculates on what's next for Calgary Flames forward Kristian Huselius. Coach Mike Keenan made Huselius a healthy scratch for the crucial game between the Flames and the Vancouver Canucks. Duhatschek believes that "it now seems almost certain that Kristian Huselius will not be back with the Calgary Flames next season." Brochu's take: With Keenan as head coach of the Flames, Huselius doesn't have much of a future with Calgary. The Flames have already spent money on Miikka Kiprusoff, Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla, leaving Huselius and Daymond Langkow as their key UFAs. Huselius could easily make +$5 million on the open market, especially with teams like the Canucks, Islanders and Blue Jackets desperately looking for offense.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Brandon Sutter to a three-year, entry-level contract. Under terms of the deal signed Wednesday, Sutter has a contract that begins with the 2008-09 season. It will pay him $787,500 per season at the NHL level, or $65,000 if he is sent to the minor leagues. Brochu's take: Sutter should spend 1-2 years at the AHL to acclimatize to the pro game. If his father Brent is any indication, he will have the determination to make the Hurricanes roster in the future.

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Jay Beagle to a two-year, entry-level contract. Beagle, 22, has scored 18 goals and 14 assists in 54 games in his first season with the Hershey Bears of the AHL. Source

Reported yesterday, the Buffalo Sabres have officially signed forward Derek Whitmore and defenseman Mike Kostka to contracts.

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

Defenseman Jim Fahey will leave the AHL Rockford Icehogs (Chicago Blackhawks affiliate) at the end of the season and will play with the Krefeld Pinguine of the DEL in Germany. Source

According to Swedish paper Aftonbladet, Florida Panthers defenseman Magnus Johansson wants to stay in the NHL, despite rumors that he would return to play for Linköpings HC in Sweden.

Ovechkin signs 13 year, $124 million contract extension!

The Washington Capitals have signed Alexander Ovechkin to a 13 year, $124 million contract extension. The contract will expire in the 2020-21 season when Ovechkin will be 35 years old. It is the largest contract in NHL history. Source

The Florida Panthers have acquired defenceman Magnus Johansson from the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday for a seventh-round draft pick in 2009. Source

The Chicago Blackhawks have also signed defenseman Brent Sopel to a three-year, $7 million contract. The Chicago Herald is also reporting that the Hawks are close to signing Patrick Sharp to a multi-year extension. Source

The Minnesota Wild announced Bob Naegele's majority stake will be bought by former Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold. Sources tell TSN that the purchase price is $260 million. Leipold has been rumoured for a long time to be interested in buying the Wild.

The Wild have also put forward Dominic Moore on waivers.

The Vancouver Canucks have claimed forward Kris Beech off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Source

Sharks to make moves?

The San Jose Sharks held a two hour players only meeting on Friday to discuss their troubles. Many players believe that a change in attitude is needed. GM Doug Wilson prompted the meeting, and if he feels the players are still not responding, he will consider some serious changes, such as trades or even firing coach Ron Wilson. Source

Defenseman Magnus Johansson has cleared waivers and has been assigned to the AHL Rockford IceHogs by the Chicago Blackhawks. He will report to Rockford, but may decide to return to Sweden. Rumors are that he will most likely return to his old SEL team, Linköpings HC. Source

Forward Jamie Lundmark has left Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) and is now playing with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. He was signed to a professional contract with the Hershey Bears, but he had to clear re-entry waivers. Source