NHL rumor update Mar 13

Atlanta Spirit co-owner Bruce Levenson said ownership has no plans to make major changes in the Thrashers front office following the season. Thrashers GM and head coach Don Waddell's job is safe, despite the fact that the Thrashers have taken a step backward this year and a playoff berth is highly unlikely. Source

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play an exhibition game in Finland in October. Pittsburgh will face Jokerit of the SM-Liiga onn Thursday, October 2 at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki. It will be a tune-up before they start the 2008-2009 season against the Ottawa Senators in Sweden. Source

Chris Chelios has heard from people within the NHLPA that the Detroit Red Wings will play the New York Rangers in the much-hyped planned outdoor game at Yankee Stadium in New York. However, GM Ken Holland has only confirmed that it is speculation at this point, while the Boston Bruins are also rumored to be in the running to play against the Rangers. Source

The Rangers have also signed free agent forward Justin Soryal. Soryal, 20, has played in 56 games with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL this season, registering 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points, along with 140 penalty minutes. Source

The Dallas Stars have signed a trio of players to contracts. The Stars have signed forward Chris Conner and goaltender Tobias Stephan to one-year, two-way contracts for 2008-2009. The club also signed forward Sergei Korostin to a three-year, entry level contract.

The Atlanta Thrashers have placed defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski on waivers.

Vultures circling Toronto, interest in Staios?

The Toronto Star is reporting that there were 18 scouts from 16 NHL teams watching the Toronto Maple Leafs-St. Louis Blues game Tuesday. Mats Sundin remains the subject of trade rumors, and there is speculation that interim GM Cliff Fletcher will talk to Sundin this week about waiving his no trade clause. Source

According to Adam Proteau of the Hockey News, a Western Conference GM stated that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Steve Staios might draw some interest around the league. Source

In other Oiler news, it looks like billionaire Daryl Katz's new $200 million offer to buy the Oilers will be accepted by the EIG board members. Source

TSN is reporting that the Calgary Flames and defenseman Dion Phaneuf are close to a long-term contract extension, with minor details being ironed out. This should put the preposterous Phaneuf rumours to rest. Source

Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that Peter Forsberg has given his agent Don Baizley the go-ahead to speak to NHL teams that may be interested in signing the Swedish forward. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Forward Matt Hussey has left the AHL Lake Erie Monsters and signed with Jokerit in Finland. He was signed by the Colorado Avalanche last summer. Source

Dallas Stars prospect Sergei Korostin has left Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) in Russia and is now playing with the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He was the Stars' third round, 64th overall selection in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Source

Goaltender Maxime Ouellet, the former first-round NHL draft pick, has left Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and signed with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL. Source

Aftonbladet in Sweden is reporting rumours that Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norström will leave the NHL in 2008-2009 and sign with AIK of the Allsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden.

The paper is also reporting that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Dick Tarnström will also sign with AIK next season. Source