Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 13, 2009

The Tampa Bay Lightning have sent forward Evgeny Artyukin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Drew Milller and a third round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Ladislav Smid to a two-year deal, and have signed forwards Gilbert Brule and Ryan Stone to one-year, two-way deals.

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed goalie Thomas Greiss to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Nikolai Zherdev is expected to sign a deal with KHL team Salavat Yulaev. Zherdev became a free agent when the New York Rangers refused to accept his arbitration salary.

The San Jose Sharks have signed Swedish goalie Henrik Karlsson to a contract. Karlsson was a free agent that played with Farjestad last season. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 9, 2009

According to TSN, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly admits that Jim Balsillie's bid for the Phoenix Coyotes caught league officials by surprise and says there have been three offers to keep the team in Arizona. "He makes his own decisions and he's making a decision that this is the way he wants to get into the National Hockey League." Daly said. "We don't usually like to pick fights, but we end them." Daly was also named the temporary CEO of the Coyotes on Friday. In the meantime, the city of Hamilton has confirmed talks with Balsillie's camp, and expressed their interest in getting the Coyotes. Brochu's take: Get your popcorn ready, folks. It seems like this is Balsillie's Last Stand of getting an NHL franchise, and he's going to fight until the end. As for the NHL, did they not in early March claim they weren't in control of the Coyotes? And Daly's comments on owner Jerry Moyes seemed contradictory, since Moyes is looking for the best deal for himself, not the creditors. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Erik Karlsson to a three-year, entry-level contract. Karlsson was the Sens' first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrick Roy met with Colorado Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix on Thursday, but it's unknown what was discussed. Roy has been rumored to be coming back to the Avs organization in some fashion, possibly for the vacant GM job.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The three frontrunners to land Swedish free agent goalie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson appears to be the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks. Source

Weekend rumor roundup for April 25-26, 2009

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Carson McMillan to an entry-level contract. McMillan was the Wild's seventh round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Ottawa Senators defenseman Mattias Karlsson will be leaving the organization this summer and has signed to played with Timra of the Swedish Elite League for 2009-2010. Source

There's a rumor that former NHLer Janne Niinimaa, who played for Swiss club Langnau this season, is looking for a contract with an NHL team. Source

Dallas Stars forward Joel Lundqvist is rumored to be leaving the organization to play in Sweden, possibly with Frolunda. Source

Several Swedish teams have targeted Vancouver Canucks forward Jason Krog for the 2009-2010 season. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 13, 2009

The St. Louis Blues have signed forwards Philip McRae, Anthony Peluso and Brett Sonne to entry-level contracts. Terms were not disclosed. Source

The Calgary Flames released the Quad City ownership group Thursday from the remaining three years of their minor-league AHL affiliate agreement with the NHL team. "We intend to file for relocation to Abbotsford," Flames president Ken King said. "We've got a lot of critical, key prospects in our system, and we need a great home for them to prepare for the NHL." Brochu's take: Hmmm, putting a minor league team in enemy territory would sure make for interesting crowds. Source

The Vancouver Canucks have announced Thursday they have renewed their affiliation agreement with the AHL Manitoba Moose through the 2011-12 season.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Ottawa Senators defenseman Mattias Karlsson is rumored to be leaving the organization in the summer to play in Sweden next year. The rumored teams interested in signing him are Lulea and Farjestad. Source

Bruins, Habs, Rangers to target Hossa

According to the Boston Globe, three NHL teams will make a serious move for impending UFA Marian Hossa: The Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. It's believed that the Pittsburgh Penguins will make attempt to sign the forward, but it's unlikely given the other free agents the Pens have to sign. Brochu's take: The Pens want to sign Malkin as soon as possible, and they still have to lock up other young talents like goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. They'll give a half-hearted offer to Hossa, but they know he is a pure rental.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that Alexei Yashin is ready to return to the NHL but teams should hurry since he has already received an offer to return to his RSL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Garrioch reports that the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have contacted Yashin's agent. Brochu's take: There's a reason why 30 NHL teams didn't touch him last summer. If someone is stupid enough to offer what he wants, ($4 million or more) than by all means go right ahead.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Andreas Karlsson has signed with Frolunda of the SEL for the 2008-2009 season. Source

The Detroit Red Wings have signed goalie Daniel Larsson to an entry-level contract. Source

European rumors update April 28, 2008

As promised, this is another edition of Brochu's European rumour roundup:

The Edmonton Journal is reporting that Russian team Ak Bars Kazan is rumored to be preparing to make a $4 million salary contract offer to Montreal Canadiens forward Andrei Kostitsyn, a restricted free agent this summer. Brochu's take: It's unlikely that Kostitsyn will sign in Russia. He loves Montreal and his brother is playing there. Kostitsyn will certainly take a deal similiar in salary to stay with the Habs. Source

Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Vyborny has left the NHL and signed a three-year contract with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. He will also function as the club's sports manager, the Czech news agency CTK reported. Vyborny's father is also the head coach of Sparta. Brochu's take: Rumors of him leaving the NHL have been reported all season. He does have an out-clause, but it's unlikely he will returning to North America anytime soon. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Karel Rachunek has left the NHL and signed a two-year deal with Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) of the Russian Super League. Brochu's take: I don't think Rachunek will be returning to the NHL for a third time. He's good as gone. Source

Devils forward Noah Clarke has left the organization and signed with Ambri Piotta of the Swiss Nationalliga A.

There are rumors that New York Rangers forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau will leave the organization and play in Europe for 2008-2009. Both Malmo of the SEL and Hamburg Freezers of the DEL have expressed an interest. Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Andreas Karlsson is rumored to be signing for Frolunda of the SEL. Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed goalie Joel Gistedt to an entry-level contract. The Coyotes are also close to signing defenseman Jonas Ahnelov to a contract.

Fletcher to be hired this week?

The Globe and Mail is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs should be making a decision on Cliff Fletcher this week. Rumours are flying that the MLSE board met on Monday to discuss president Richard Peddie's proposal to hire Fletcher as the interim GM. Sources are saying that Fletcher's return to the Leafs could be announced this week. Source

The San Jose Mercury News Sharks Blog, "Working the Corners", is reporting that scouts from four teams have been in the press box for the last two Sharks game, possibly having a look at Patrick Marleau. These teams are the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. Source

If the Tampa Bay Lightning don't make a playoff push, GM Jay Feaster said it is possible he will have to move some players out by the Feb. 26 trade deadline to lower payroll. He'll most likely look to move defenseman Dan Boyle and forward Vaclav Prospal, who are both due to be UFAs at the end of the season. Source

Peter Forsberg is practising with Swedish Elite League team Modo and may try to play for Sweden in the LG Hockey Games between Feb. 7-10. If he feels healthy enough, Foppa will try to return to the NHL sometime in mid-February. The Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche remain the front-runners in the Foppa sweepstakes. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Goaltender Philippe Sauve has left the Dallas Stars AHL affiliate in Iowa and has signed with the Hamburg Freezers of the DEL for the rest of the season. Source

There are rumours that forward Andreas Karlsson will leave the Tampa Bay Lightning and sign with Leksands IF in Sweden. Source

Snow denies Kovalev for Satan rumours

GM Garth Snow has denied rumours of a trade involving Alexei Kovalev and Miroslav Satan. Snow insists Satan won't be traded, but if the Islanders aren't in the running for the playoffs, he will most likely be shopped.

The Maple Leafs are trying to get top prospect John Tavares to play for the Leafs AHL ffiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The rumours were that the Leafs were offering a 3 year AHL contract, and hope that Tavares doesn't sign with whichever NHL team drafts him in 2009. However, numerous AHL and NHL bylaws prevent him from doing this, but it's possible that these could be changed through a majority vote. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that GM John Ferguson Jr. is shopping Alex Steen, Matt Stajan and Wade Belak. Source

Mattias Karlsson has left the Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate Birmingham and signed with Bofors IK in Sweden. Source

An update on Tony Salmelainen. Apparently he has signed a one year deal with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super League for almost $1.5-million. Source