NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 1, 2009

The Phoenix Coyotes have denied a report that the NHL has been running the franchise since February. Coyotes President Doug Moss refuted that report late Wednesday night, saying the league has not assumed control of the Coyotes. "We are not reporting to the league," Moss said. "We report to (owner) Jerry Moyes. I'm dealing with things in my area, the business side, and Donnie (GM Don Maloney) is dealing with the hockey side." Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Globe and Mail is reporting that Jaromir Jagr hasn't ruled out a return to the NHL, and if he does return, his first choice would be the Edmonton Oilers. The 37 year old still has one year left on his contract with KHL club Avangard Omsk, but wants to play with the team that offered him a contract last summer. "I was pretty excited when I heard that Edmonton pushed pretty hard for me to get (there)," Jagr said Thursday at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. "I really appreciate it. If I ever go to (the NHL), they would be my No. 1 pick because they showed the interest first. I never forget that and I respect that." Brochu's take: Anything is possible, especially given a year's time. He would be pretty dynamite on Ales Hemsky's line. Source

Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik has signed a two-year contract with Russian team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Brochu's take: Hmmm, I always thought Zednik would have no trouble securing an NHL contract. Funny enough, he was announced as a candidate for this year's Masterton trophy. Source

Colorado Avalanche forward Per Ledin has left the organization and signed a 6-year deal with Swedish club HV71. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 6, 2009

According to Ken Campbell of The Hockey News, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks are the frontrunners for the services of free agent defenseman Matt Gilroy. Gilroy cannot sign with an NHL team until his Boston University is eliminated from the Frozen Four tournament. Brochu's take: Any team wishing to sign Gilroy should be wary. He is 24, which excludes him from entry-level contracts, thus making him a free agent. While there has been more focus on college free agents this year (cough cough Toronto media), the vast majority of signings don't pan out. Source

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Joe Vitale to a one-year contract. Vitale was the Pen's seventh round pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Vancouver Canucks have signed free agent defenseman Evan Oberg to a three-year, entry-level contract. Oberg has spent the past two seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Colorado Avalanche forward Per Ledin is rumored to be signing with Swedish club HV71 this summer. Source

Washington Capitals defenseman Staffan Kronwall is rumored to be signing with Timra once his contract expires this summer. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for June 13, 2008

According to TSN, Craig Hartsburg will be introduced as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators on Friday. The Sault Star is reporting that the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds coach met with Sens owner Eugene Melnyk on Thursday and agreed to a 3 year deal. Kitchener Rangers' coach Peter DeBoer met Melnyk in Barbados Wednesday, but could not come to terms. Brochu's take: I'm not sure if Hartsburg is the right guy in Ottawa, but at least they have someone. Source

There are unconfirmed rumors that the Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed goaltender Johan Hedberg to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Swedish club Timrå has an interest in Vancouver Canucks forward Byron Ritchie. In an interview with Dagbladet, Timra IK sport chief Stefan Lindqvist has approached Ritchie's agent about playing in Sweden. Source

According to Aftonbladet, the Colorado Avalanche have signed Swedish free agent forward Per Ledin to a one-year, $600,000 contract. Source

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jay Harrison has signed with EV Zug of the Swiss Nationalliga A for the 2008-2009 season. Source

There are rumors that KHL club Vityaz Poldolsk/Chekhov has made an approach for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Derrick Walser. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for May 18, 2008

According to the Calgary Sun, the Flames are among several NHL teams that want to sign Swedish forward Martin Thornberg. Thornberg scored 20 goals and 17 assists in 51 games for HV71 and also netted another 17 points in 17 playoff games. Brochu's take: Another unsigned European forward? There seems to be a trend this summer to sign these guys. Source

Aftonbladet is reporting that three players playing for Sweden at the 2008 IIHF World Championship are getting a lot of interest from NHL teams. Forward Johan Andersson is being observed closely by the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings, while forward Per Ledin and defenseman Jonas Frogren have also been closely observed. Source

Rumors from Sweden indicate that Red Wings forward Johan Ryno may leave the Wings to play with Elitserien team AIK. Source

Teemu Selanne announced he has retired from international hockey, and will not play for Finland anymore. He also stated that he will make a decision on his NHL future by July 1. Brochu's take: Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke will have an aneurysm if Selanne again waits half a year to decide. Source

According to the Puck-rakers blog at the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets will wait till July 1 to negotiate with restricted free-agent Dan Fritsche.

The same blog is reporting that the San Jose Sharks will trade Patrick Marleau this summer before his no trade clause kicks in, and the Calgary Flames are interested in the centre. Source