Hockey Rumors for Feb 2, 2010

Happy Groundhog Day!

The Calgary Flames have traded forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the New York Rangers in exchange for forwards Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins. Brochu's take: This trade has been rumored for 24 hours, and it was believed that Kotalik's no trade clause was holding it up. The Flames wanted Jokinen in the lineup tonight, for some odd reason.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Nick Boynton on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed forward Trevor Gillies on waivers.

According to the Team 1040 in Vancouver, there is a rumor that the Vancouver Canucks are interested in acquiring Scott Niedermayer from the Anaheim Ducks. There is speculation that he wants to spend his last season in the NHL closer to home. Several Ducks' scouts were spotted at the last Toronto-Vancouver game.

Latest NHL Signings! Part XII

Colorado Avalanche forward Joe Sakic has officially retired from hockey. Brochu's take: He was always one of my favourite players. See you in the Hall of Fame!

The Philadephia Flyers have re-signed defenseman Chris Pronger to a 7-year, $34.9 million contract extension. Brochu's take: The contract is not even heavily front loaded, so in the last 3 years of this contract, he will still have a cap hit of around $5 million. I'm not sure how Philly will be able to afford this down the line, but it's clear that GM Paul Holmgren wants to win NOW.

The New York Rangers have signed forward Ales Kotalik to a 3-year, $9 million contract.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Kurtis Foster to a 1-year, $500 000 contract. They also signed forward Stephane Veilleux to a 1-year, $750k contract.

The Bolts have also signed 2009 NHL first round pick Victor Hedman to a 3-year, entry-level contract.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Nick Boynton to a 1-year, $1.5 million contract.

The Avs have signed defenseman Brett Skinner and forward Phillipe Dupuis to contracts.

San Jose Sharks forward Claude Lemieux has retired. Again.

Florida Panthers forward Chad Kilger has officially announced his retirement from hockey.

Trade deadline wrap-up, Part 4

Part 4:

The Phoenix Coyotes traded goalie Mikael Tellqvist to the the Buffalo Sabres for a 4th round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenceman Andy Wozniewski from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for blueliner Danny Richmond.

The New York Islanders traded forward Bill Guerin to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional draft pick. The draft pick that Pittsburgh gives up will start as a fifth-round pick. If Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, it increases to a fourth-rounder. If they get to the second round, it becomes to a third round pick. Brochu's take: Finally! Guerin's saga is finally over today. It would seem that the Capitals had pulled out of the deal early on, and that's why it's dragged on.

Patrick O'Sullivan was originally shipped along with a second round draft pick in 2009 from the Los Angeles Kings to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Justin Williams. Brochu's take: This trade had been rumored late last night.

The ‘Canes then turned around and dealt O'Sullivan and the draft pick they received from the King to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Erik Cole and a 5th round pick in 2009. Brochu's take: Cole never really panned out in Edmonton, as he unable to match his stats from his Carolina days.

The Edmonton Oilers also acquired forward Ales Kotalik from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2009. Brochu's take: Wait, the Sabres and Oilers made a deal? So much for the frostiness between the two teams since the Thomas Vanek offer sheet affair. Mind you, Kevin Lowe is no longer the Oilers GM.

Welcome to Brochu is Hockey, Mach II!

Hi everyone!

As you can see, Brochu is Hockey has a new look. It's been coming for a long time, and I hope you like it. It's a bit streamlined now, and I've optimized the site for widescreen monitors. Some of the links may not work, and some details need to be ironed out but overall, I think it looks really good. If some of you can't see the new look, I suggest clearing your cache. Feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks to everyone who have visited the site over the last few years! Hopefully, this new look will take Brochu is Hockey to the next level, whatever that is. ;-) Look out for new features in the next couple of weeks.

Now let's back to what you're here for, rumours!

Another Sunday edition of Bruce Garrioch's "Rumours Du Jour":

Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer (of CSI fame) has backed off on its interest in building an arena in Las Vegas and has pulled its bid off the table.

Brendan Shanahan could be headed to the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche or the Carolina Hurricanes. Brochu's take: Rumor is that Shanny wants to stay in the East, so that rules out Colorado.

The Anaheim Ducks may be shopping forward Chris Kunitz in order to make room for Mats Sundin. Brochu's take: Kunitz is probably on the market, but there's not much interest in him.

"Expect to see the Sabres move [forward] Ales Kotalik, who is making $2.5 million, before the March 4 trade deadline." Brochu's take: They might, but again the market is not strong for underperforming forwards with big cap hits.

"[Vancouver Canucks GM Mike]Gillis was telling anybody who would listen last week he is not going to trade [defenseman] Mattias Ohlund. As I told Gillis in an e-mail, he can deny he won't deal Ohlund all he wants, but if he doesn't get him signed before the trade deadline, then a move is a strong possibility. Oddly enough, Gillis admitted that "teams have called" on all his players and that means there's interest. He can't deny that." Brochu's take: That could be said about any player that has an expiring contract this season! And I could say that all 29 teams have interest in Sidney Crosby, and there's "no denying that".

The Anaheim Ducks have apparently jumped into the Mats Sundin sweepstakes: Brochu's take: I'll file this under "SC", as in salary cap.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Senators are pushing hard for a puck-moving defenseman, and may be willing to part with a roster player. Garrioch suggests that the Sens could part with forward Mike Fisher or Antoine Vermette, who have both under-performed this season. Brochu's take: Fisher isn't going anywhere, but Vermette's name has been in the rumour mill for some time. Maybe the Hawks will come calling? Source

The "Between the Circles" blog on the Chicago Daily Herald website is reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks are looking for a top-6 forward, preferrably a centre, and another defenseman. Tim Sassone suggests they could send goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and defenseman Cam Barker to the minors, but they have both played well. Brochu's take: Like Sassone said, the Hawks are pushing the cap as it is. Unless they trade someone off their roster or demote them to the minors, they won't be making any moves. Source

Possible Olli Jokinen offers?

Several offers for Florida Panther Olli Jokinen has been speculated in the rumour mill lately, including:

The Calgary Flames have offered Alex Tanguay and a 2nd round pick, and a conditional pick.

The Montreal Canadiens have offered Michael Ryder, Ryan O'Byrne and a 3rd rounder.

CKAC 730 radio in Montreal is reporting that the Florida Panthers have been scouting O'Byrne for a while, and GM Jacques Martin is very interested in the big defenseman.

There were at least 2 Montreal Canadiens scouts watching the Atlanta Thrashers-New Jersey Devils game Friday. The Canadiens have been rumored to be a big player in the Marian Hossa Sweepstakes, and could also be looking at Devils forward Brian Gionta.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sergei Fedorov could be returning to the Red Wings at the trade deadline. The Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website reports that GM Scott Howson spent half of the morning skate in conversation with Wings' GM Ken Holland and assistant GM Jim Nill. Speculate away! Source

The Buffalo News is reporting that the Buffalo Sabres should look to move one of Maxim Afinogenov, Tim Connolly, Ales Kotalik and Dmitri Kalinin. Source

Poll Results:

Who will sign Peter Forsberg?

Philadelphia Flyers	100 (36%)
Colorado Avalanche	21 (7%)
Vancouver Canucks	109 (39%)
Ottawa Senators	16 (5%)
Anaheim Ducks	3 (1%)
New York Rangers	7 (2%)
Other	20 (7%)

Total votes: 276

Thank you for participating in the polls!