Hockey and NHL rumors for Sept 20, 2009

The Boston Bruins have traded forward Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a first and second round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, as well as a 1st rounder in the 2011 Draft. The Leafs then subsequently signed the restricted free agent to a 5-year, $27 million contract. Brochu's take: Not sure why Burke didn't just send an offer sheet, which would have cost slightly less. A rather large overpayment IMO, but he didn't trade any roster players either.

The New York Rangers have re-signed forward Brandon Dubinsky to a two-year, $3.7 million contract.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forwards Willie Coetzee and Tomas Tatar to three-year, entry-level contracts.

The Minnesota Wild have signed defenseman Bjorn Krupp to an entry-level contract. Brochu's take: A chip off the old block, one would hope.

The Dallas Stars have signed forward Tristan King and defenseman Hubert Labrie to three-year entry-level contracts.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 22, 2009

The Minnesota Wild will officially name Chuck Fletcher as the next GM of the team. Fletcher will replace Doug Risebrough, whose contract as president and general manager of the team was not renewed after the regular season ended. Fletcher is currently the assistant GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but the team has said they will not stand in the way. Brochu's take: It is kind of weird to see a team still in the playoffs lose their assistant GM. I wonder who broke this story on TSN...could it be Pierre "El Kabong" McGuire, who was a finalist for the job? Source

The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Dwight King to a three-year, entry-level contract. King was the Kings' fourth round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Phoenix Coyotes minority partner John Breslow has formed a group interested in submitting a bid for the team, his lawyer Scott Cohen said Wednesday. Breslow currently owns 2% of the Coyotes. It's believed he's filed paperwork with the NHL to table a formal offer. Brochu's take: I find it odd that we hear news about all these "potential" offers from other parties, and yet Jim Balsillie's offer is still the only official and signifcant offer. Redfield Baum, the bankruptcy judge, has repeatedly stated that his only obligation is to the creditors, which would make you believe that Balsillie has an edge.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Washington Capitals forward Donald Brashear is rumored to be signing with a KHL team, possibly Vityaz Podolsk/Chekhov. Brashear's agent is currently in Russia in contract talks. Source

Russian reports are indicating that KHL team Avangard Omsk have targeted Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Frantisek Kaberle and Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander for the 2009-2010 season. Brochu's take: Kaberle's a UFA this summer, so it's possible. Nylander still has a couple seasons left in his contract so I don't see him doing a Radulov. Source

Habs, Canucks after Hossa?

According to Metro News, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Marian Hossa will not be re-signing with the club, and the leading contenders to sign the free agent forward are the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have fired coach John Tortorella. Tortorella had one year remaining on his contract. Barry Melrose continues to be rumored as the new head coach. Brochu's take: This has been rumoured for the longest time. GM Jay Feaster did not deny the Melrose rumor, but only stated that he has a list of names he will take to the new ownership.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Dennis Persson to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Sami Kapanen has retired from the NHL. He is close to signing a multi-year contract with Finnish club KalPa Kuopio. Kapanen owns 50.5% of the shares of KalPa and is also chairman of the organization. His contract has been terminated mutually but the Flyers will continue to hold his NHL rights.

Anaheim Ducks forward Jason King has left the organization and will play with Adler Mannheim of the German DEL. Source

The New York Rangers have signed forward Tomas Zaborsky to a three-year, entry-level contract.

European rumor update May 31, 2008

TSN is citing a report in the Toronto Star stating that ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose is set to return behind the bench as the new coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. According to the Star, incoming team owner Oren Koules has pushed for the hiring of Melrose in an effort to further sell the team and the sport in Florida. His group is awaiting approval from the NHL's Board Of Governors to take over the team, with the vote set to take place on June 18. Brochu's take: This would mean the end of John Tortorella's reign in Tampa, which will free him up nicely to take over the Ottawa Senators vacant coaching job. Source

According to reports from Denmark, prospect Peter Regin has signed a contract with the Ottawa Senators. Source

The Senators have also re-signed forward Jesse Winchester to a two-year contract extension. Source

The Calgary Flames have signed forward Hugo Carpentier to a three-year, entry-level contract. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Josef Hrabal to a two-year, entry-level contract. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Philadelphia Flyers forward Denis Tolpeko has signed with Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL in Russia for the 2008-2009 season. Source

There are rumors that Boston Bruins forward Glen Metropolit has received offers from several Continental Hockey League (KHL) teams. Source

Several German teams have made offers to Anaheim Ducks forward Jason King. Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Kyle Wanvig could be joining Amur Tigers Khabarovsk in Russia. Source