Hockey and NHL rumors for Jan 10, 2010

According to the Edmonton Journal, Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray is open to waiving his no-trade-clause. He is not asking for a trade, but if the team wants to go in a different direction, he is willing to be traded. Brochu's take: If the Oilers do conduct a fire sale, Souray would be amongst the first to go.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed forward Martins Karsums on waivers.

TSN's Darren Dreger, via his Twitter page, has reported that the Atlanta Thrashers are undergoing trade discussions with other teams about Ily a Kovalchuk. Dreger reports that the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks are "contenders". Brochu's take: Why is that all these teams, barring LA, have serious cap issues, and yet are still contenders?

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 27, 2009

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Martins Karsums to a one-year contract.

Forward Mike Sillinger has annnounced his retirement. Brochu's take: I'm pretty sure Sillinger has played for at least half of all the NHL teams. It will be sad to see him leave.

According to the Detroit News, free agent forward Darren McCarty is in Moscow looking to sign with a KHL team. There have also been rumors that he is considering retiring again. Source

There's a rumor that the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel. Kessel remains an unsigned restricted free agent, with only 6 weeks to the start of the NHL season. There are also several offers from KHL teams. Brochu's take: I think that he will re-sign with the Bruins, but they're going to have to trade someone to free up salary cap space.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Ottawa Senators goalie Jeff Glass is rumored to be signing with KHL team Barys Astana in Kazakhstan. Source

According to theKHL.net, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nikita Filatov has had several offers to play in Russia, but he remains focused on reaching the NHL. Filatov admitted he would consider the KHL if he were playing the AHL or on the "bench". Source

Trade deadline wrap-up, Part 2

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Nik Antropov to the New York Rangers in exchange for a second round draft pick as well as a conditional draft pick. Brochu's take: I guess the price came down after all, as GM Brian Burke was asking for a first. The Rangers seem to be making a big run in the playoffs.

The Leafs also traded forward Dominic Moore to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second round draft pick. Brochu's take: Burke continues to collect more picks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have also traded goalie Olaf Kolzig, defencemen Jamie Heward and Andy Rogers and a fourth-round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a prospect Richard Petiot. Brochu's take: What??? How did the NHL even allow such a trade to happen. Yes, it's a pure salary dump, but teams should at least make the deal somewhat fair. Maple Leafs win this one, no question.

Tampa Bay Lightning have traded defenseman Steve Eminger to the Florida Panthers for defenceman Noah Welch and a third round draft pick.

The Bolts also traded forward Mark Recchi and a second round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Matt Lashoff and forward Martins Karsums. Brochu's take: A fairly even trade, as Recchi could be a good playoff performer. Lashoff and Karsums are good young players that will probably be traded by the Bolts in the summer. ;-)

The Boston Bruins have added some defensive depth and toughness by acquiring Steve Montador from the Anaheim Ducks for forward Petteri Nokelainen.