NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 3, 2009

Minnesota Wild forward Marian Gaborik will have surgery on his hip on Monday and will be out a minimum of 10 weeks. This will rule out any chance of Gaborik being traded before the trade deadline, as players that are placed on the long-term injury list are ineligible to be traded. There's a small chance that his rights could be traded right before the July 1st UFA deadline. Brochu's take: And so dies the Gaborik rumors. Perhaps Gaborik should have taken that $8 milllion a year contract when he had the chance; now no one will pay that much for a oft-injured player.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that Senators GM Bryan Murray might be willing to shop 1st round pick he received from the Tampa Bay Lightning. There has been interest in forward Antoine Vermette and defenseman Christoph Schubert, but none of the offers were good enough for the Sens. The Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets are believed to have mild interest in forward Jason Spezza. The BJs might also be interested in Vermette and forward Chris Kelly and might be offering up defenseman Kris Russell in return, although the Sens are believed seeking a more established blueliner. Brochu's take: Hmmm...looks like Garrioch reads the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch, because this is essentially what they reported a few days ago, aside from Kelly's name being thrown in. Spezza's name continues to be in the rumor mill, but seriously, he won't be moved. Source

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

Forward Dan LaCouture has left the Carolina Hurricanes franchise and signed with KHL team Barys Astana. Brochu's take: There were rumours of this a few days ago, but I don't think there was much interest in where Dan Lacouture was going. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 19, 2008

The Christmas NHL roster freeze will come into effect today at noon, and will end December 27.

The official contract for Mats Sundin with the Vancouver Canucks appears to be a one-year deal worth roughly $9 million, pro-rated at around $5 million for the rest of the season. Darren Dreger of TSN speculates this will give the Canucks around $2.5 million in salary cap space, which will allow them to get another high impact player at the trade deadline. Brochu's take: Ahhh, no more rumor updates on Sundin...until the summer!

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Carolina Hurricanes forward Dan LaCouture has left the organization and it's believed he has gone to Russia to sign with a KHL team. Brochu's take: Not sure why TSN chose this one to report, as several players this season have left the NHL to sign in Russia. Source

St. Louis Blues forward prospect Nikolai Lemtyugov, who left the AHL Peoria Rivermen to play in Russia, has officially signed with KHL team Severstal Cherepovets. Source

Defenseman Mike Egener has left the Tampa Bay Lightning organization and signed with Swedish club Vita Hasten. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 4, 2008

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, Brendan Shanahan was in Philadelphia Monday to meet with Flyer's GM Paul Holmgren. Brochu's take: Shananhan wants to remain in the East, and Philly is pretty close to his house and family in New York.

According to Mike Heika's Dallas Stars blog on The Dallas Morning News website, the Stars have signed forward Mark Parrish to a one-year, $500,000 contract, subject to a physical to be held tomorrow. Parrish was signed to an AHL try-out contract with the New York Islanders, but was free to sign with any NHL team. Source

The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Michel Ouellet on re-entry waivers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed forward Dan LaCouture on waivers.

There are rumors that the 2009-2010 NHL Season may begin in Sweden, with the city of Malmö hosting the game. Malmö is currently building a new arena. Source

The Columbus Blue Jackets are rumoured to be moving one of their depth defenseman, and a minor trade could come in the very near future.

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 7, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed left wing Dan LaCouture to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Calgary Flames have placed defensemen Anders Eriksson and Rhett Warrener on waivers, along with forward Jamie Lundmark.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed forward Mark Bell on waivers.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have released defenseman Richard Matvichuk.

There are rumors that the Detroit Red Wings are interested in free agent forward Brendan Shanahan.

According to Metro News, the Boston Bruins are shopping forwards Peter Schaefer and P.J. Axelsson in hopes of landing a puck-moving defenseman. Source