Latest NHL signings! Part X

The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Alex Kovalev to a 2-year, $10 million contract. Brochu's take: At $5 million, that's a bit pricey. And this certainly spells the end of Dany Heatley in Ottawa. GM Bryan Murray has a bit of work this summer to get under the cap.

The New York Rangers have re-signed forward Chris Higgins to a 1-year, $2.25 million contract.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Francois Beauchemin to a 3-year, $11.4 million contract.

The Leafs also signed 2009 first round pick Nazem Kadri to a 3-year, entry-level contract. They have also re-signed forwards Ben Ondrus and Ryan Hamilton to a one-year contract. The Maple Leafs also signed free agent forwards including Jay Rosehill to a two-year contract and Richard Greenop to a three-year entry level contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed goalie Andrew Raycroft. Terms were not disclosed.

The 'Nucks also signed defenseman Shane O'Brien to a one-year, $1.6 million contract.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed 5 free agents, including right wing Troy Brouwer to a two-year contract, goaltender Corey Crawford to a two-year contract, left wing Ben Eager to a one-year contract, center Colin Fraser to a one-year contact and defenseman Aaron Johnson to a one-year contract.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 22, 2009

It's Sunday, so it must be time for Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

"League sources" are saying that the Montreal Canadiens are interested in acquiring forward Ryan Smyth from the Colorado Avalanche. Avs GM Francois Giguere is shopping the forward, as well as several other players. Giguere has orders from ownership to slash payroll. Smyth has three years left on a $6.5 million a year deal, and also has a no trade clause. Brochu's take: No one is going to take Smyth at $6.5 million, and especially not for three more years! Smyth is a good forward but his value is not in his production. I really don't believe in all these Smyth rumours.

The Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning may be interested in Ottawa Senators defenseman Christoph Schubert. The Sens would like defenseman Ladislav Smid in return. Brochu's take: While both teams need defensemen desperately, there are better options for Schubert. As for Smid, I think he's worth more than Schubert, Bruce.

The Atlanta Thrashers have been shopping defensemen Ron Hainsey and Niclas Havelid. Both are expected to be dealt at the deadline. Brochu's take: Havelid, yes. Hainsey, no.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in acquiring forward Erik Cole. Brochu's take: Like I've said before, as long as the Oilers are in the playoff race, they won't be subtracting roster players.

The Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks are interested in Sens forward Chris Neil.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Alex Kovalev. There's also rumors that the Penguins are interested in re-acquiring him. Brochu's take: The BJs are looking for more centres than wingers. The Pens could be a good fit for Kovalev.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 19, 2009

According to Sportsnet and TSN, Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev will return to the Habs this weekend. Kovalev denied a Russian report that he blamed Montreal's recent struggles on the habits of some of the younger players on the team. La Presse also reported that GM Bob Gainey has shopped Kovalev around the NHL for the past two weeks. Brochu's take: Kovalev's value is at an all time low right now, so Gainey's smart enough to know he won't trade him. After Kovalev returns from Exile Island, I think he will be a much better player.

The Forecaster on CBC is reporting that defenseman Jay McKee is unhappy with his current situation with the St. Louis Blues and would like to move on. It's possible that the Blues would send McKee to the minors and call him up on re-entry waivers. Brochu's take: McKee's $4 million salary this year and next appears to be the big stumbling block. This sounds more like a scenario where you trade a bad contract for another bad contract.

The Forecaster report is also saying that the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers would also love to Edmonton Oilers forward Erik Cole for the stretch run. Brochu's take: Suddenly, Cole's price goes up. But I would imagine the Oilers holding on to him, unless they get blown away by a package. Source

Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail is reporting that the Vancouver Canucks are still far apart in contract negotiations with Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The twins are seeking five-year deals that average $6.5-million a year. The Canucks have countered with $5.5-million over three or four years. The Canucks are also talking contract with impending UFA Alex Burrows, and the rumor is that the deal could be in the three to five year range, averaging $2 million a season. Brochu's take: Statistically, the Sedins are worth around $6 million each. However, GM Mike Gillis might want to see what they will do in the stretch and the playoffs before he commits that much salary cap space to two players. As for Burrows, that is a decent number for a player of his calibre, especially considering his humble roots in the ECHL. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 18, 2009

According to Tim Wharnsby of the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Maple Leafs were close to a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins last weekend, but the firing of Michel Therrien could have scuttled those talks. Rumors were that the Leafs would send Nik Antropov to the Pens for Ryan Whitney, or a package of a 1st rounder and defenseman Alex Goligoski. There also was belief that if the Penguins acquired Antropov, he may have been used as part of a package for a trade to the Atlanta Thrashers for scoring whiz Ilya Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong. Brochu's take: First, that would be a huge overpayment for Antropov, who is definitely not worth a Whitney or even a Goligoski. Antropov is being shopped, but his value is not that high. As for Kovalchuk rumor, he's not moving this year and certainly not in a package involving Antropov. Source

Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has sent Alex Kovalev home for the next two road games. Gainey told Kovalev to rest his body and get his mind straightened out. When asked if he would trade Kovalev, Gainey responded, "It is trading season." Brochu's take: Not exactly a confidence boost, is it? And Gainey didn't deny that he was shopping Kovalev. Source

TSN is reporting that there has been an offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes. The party is unnamed at this point. Brochu's take: Perhaps Jim Balsillie?

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 8, 2009

It's Sunday, so it must be time for Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

According to "league sources", the Florida Panthers are leaning towards keeping defenseman Jay Bouwmeester instead of trading him at the trade deadline. If the Panthers, don't make the playoffs, it's believed that GM Jacques Martin will be fired by owner Alan Cohen. League sources say the Philadelphia Flyers may have been asked to discuss a deal that included top prospect forward James van Riemsdyk and forward Scott Hartnell in exchange for the rights to Bouwmeester. Brochu's take: Garrioch and his league sources. Just because van Riemsdyk had a bad tournament, they're going to trade him? That just doesn't make sense.

The Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings have all called Martin about the impending unrestricted free agent. Garrioch believes that Bouwmeester will sign with Edmonton in the summer. Brochu's take: Bouwmeester has said that he doesn't like to play in Edmonton, and would like to play for a winner.

There's "talk" that the New York Rangers could fire head coach Tom Renney soon and replace him with Pat Quinn.

The talk is the Montreal Canadiens are getting tired of Alexei Kovalev and his disappearing acts. Kovalev has played a valuable role this season, but not consistently. Nobody would be surprised to see him moved soon. Brochu's take: I would be surprised, Bruce.

Garrioch believes that the St. Louis Blues will put goalie Manny Legace on re-entry waivers, and the Columbus Blue Jackets would pick him. Brochu's take: This is possible, but not too many big-name contracts have been claimed off re-entry waivers.

Weekend rumor roundup for Nov 22-23, 2008

Here's the latest NHL and hockey rumor update for this weekend:

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun speculates that the Montreal Canadiens might be willing to shop forward Alexei Kovalev in order to fit Mats Sundin into their lineup. GM Bob Gainey has renewed his interest in the Swedish free agent after previously stating that he will was no longer pursuing him. Brochu's take: The Sundin rumors are amping up again.

Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis still has that 2-year, $20 million offer on the table for Mats Sundin, but if he can't sign him, the Canucks could make a pitch for Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza. Brochu's take: Could. However, given that the salary cap will go down next year, and the Canucks are comfortably under the cap, they might hesitate on adding a long term, expensive contract.

The Calgary Flames are shopping defenseman Adrian Aucoin. Source

The Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason is reporting that the Sabres should get rid of forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly, as well as defenseman Henrik Tallinder if the Sabres are to make the playoffs. Brochu's take: Afinogenov has been on the market for quite some time, but no one has been biting. Connolly's well-known injury troubles will scare off potential suitors. Tallinder's probably the only one that could attract some interest. Source

Garrioch on his Canoe.ca blog stated that the Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Sens defenseman Christoph Schubert. No word on what may be coming back though. Source

Snow denies Kovalev for Satan rumours

GM Garth Snow has denied rumours of a trade involving Alexei Kovalev and Miroslav Satan. Snow insists Satan won't be traded, but if the Islanders aren't in the running for the playoffs, he will most likely be shopped.

The Maple Leafs are trying to get top prospect John Tavares to play for the Leafs AHL ffiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The rumours were that the Leafs were offering a 3 year AHL contract, and hope that Tavares doesn't sign with whichever NHL team drafts him in 2009. However, numerous AHL and NHL bylaws prevent him from doing this, but it's possible that these could be changed through a majority vote. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that GM John Ferguson Jr. is shopping Alex Steen, Matt Stajan and Wade Belak. Source

Mattias Karlsson has left the Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate Birmingham and signed with Bofors IK in Sweden. Source

An update on Tony Salmelainen. Apparently he has signed a one year deal with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super League for almost $1.5-million. Source

Hartley fired, Waddell next?

Bob Hartley has been fired by GM Don Waddell of the Atlanta Thrashers. Waddell will be coaching the team on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found. Rumours have already circulated that Pat Quinn, Pat Burns and Dave King are leading candidates for the job. Waddell is also not off the hook and could very well be fired soon. Marian Hossa, a UFA at the end of the season, could become the biggest prize at the trading deadline. Source

According to various reports, the rumoured deal between Montreal and Calgary could involve Alex Tanguay and Alexei Kovalev.

Robert Esche has signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian Super League. Esche's agent Rick Curran confirmed that Esche will soon join his new team. “We pretty much exhausted every possibility prior to making a final decision to go to Russia,” said Curran, who became Esche's agent in August. “It's an excellent team, and it will provide him the opportunity to get his game back where he wants it to be.” Source

The Ottawa Sun is reporting that the GM Bryan Murray is interested in picking up Zenon Konopka. Konopka is almost ready to start the season and the Blue Jackets could put him up on waivers soon. Source

The Eagle has landed...in Sweden

Ed Belfour has arrived in Sweden to begin his season with Leksands. He arrived today at the game against Västerås, but did not play. He received a great ovation from the crowd, and spoke with the local media about playing in Sweden. "It's an honour to play for a team like Leksands," Belfour said. "I was intrigued by the challenges, adventures and the possibilities of playing [here]. His playing debut for Leksand IF could be against Växjö on Friday - but most likely against Nyköping at home next Wednesday. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed Randy Robitaille to a one-year contract. Robitaille must clear waivers because he started the year playing in Russia. Source

According to RDS, there was speculation that the Calgary Flames were interested in acquiring Alexei Kovalev from the Montreal Canadiens.