Latest NHL signings! Part II

Update as of 1:00 PM PST

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Mike Knuble to a 2-year, $5.6 million contract.

The New York Rangers have signed enforcer Donald Brashear to a 2-year, $2.8 million contract.

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed defenseman Scott Niedermayer to a 1-year, $6 million contract, with bonuses.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Aaron Rome to a 1-year, $550,000 contract.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed forward Joel Ward to a 2-year, $3 million contract.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a one-year deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed goalie Brian Boucher to a 2-year, $1.85 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a 3-year, $11.5 million contract. Brochu's take: I think we can safely say that GM Bob Gainey has lost his marbles.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 28, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have announced a 2 p.m. press conference Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, when they will announce the signing of Henrik Zetterberg to a long-term contract extension. Speculation is that the deal is in the 10-year, $70 million range, although reports tonight indicate that the deal is more in the 8-year, $58 million range. Brochu's take: A ten year deal is risky in today's NHL. Zetterberg will be in his late 30's by the end of the contract. ***** New update, 9:13 pm**** Zetterberg has officially signed a 12-year, $72 million contract! Brochu's take: WOW! A bargain at $6 million per, but the length still scares me. Source

Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post speculates that the Philadelphia Flyers are still looking for a veteran defenseman. Atlanta's Niclas Havelid, Colorado's Brett Clark, Phoenix's Derek Morris, Nashville's Dan Hamhuis and the Islanders' Brendan Witt are expected to be on the trade block in the next six weeks. With forwards Scottie Upshall, Joffrey Lupul and Mike Knuble, the Flyers have the assets to land one of them. Source

There are also rumors that the New York Islanders are shopping defenseman Radek Martinek.

The New York Rangers have placed forward Dan Fritsche on waivers.

NHL and hockey rumors for July 20, 2008

In the latest scuttlebutt about Mats Sundin signing with the Vancouver Canucks, a Swedish publication was running with the rumor that Sundin has chosen to play with the Canucks, whenever he does decide to return to the NHL. Sundin's Swedish based representative Claes Elefalk has already told TSN that the story was completely fabricated. Brochu's take: Why does the Toronto media skip a beat when Sundin sneezes? The simple fact is that he won't decide until August and no one in the world knows what Sundin is thinking. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers salary for the 2008-2009 NHL season is currently $60.592 million (according to nhlnumbers.com), which is around $4 million above the cap. There have been rumors that Mike Knuble and Derian Hatcher have been shopped, but there doesn't seem to be many takers.

According to the NHLPA website, forward Jeff Taffe has signed a one year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Calgary Flames have signed forward Andre Roy to a one-year, two-way deal.

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Stephane Veilleux to a one-year contract. They also re-signed left wing Peter Olvecky and defenseman Clayton Stoner to one-year contracts.

The New York Islanders have signed Danish forward Frans Nielsen to a four-year, $2.1 million contract. Brochu's take: The more Danes the better. Denmark is an emerging power in the hockey world.

Poll Results:

Which team was the biggest winner on July 1st?

Blackhawks (Campbell, Huet)	193 (35%)
Oilers (Cole, Brule)	216 (39%)
Devils (Rolston, Holik)	43 (7%)
Rangers (Redden, Rozsival)	46 (8%)
Other	51 (9%)

Total Votes: 549

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!