Pre-Lockout Signings for Sept 16, 2012

So on the day of the NHL Lockout of 2012, there were a rash of signings:

The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed forward Evander Kane to a six-year, $31.5 million contract extension.

The Boston Bruins have re-signed forward Milan Lucic to a three-year, $18 million contract extension.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Alex Burrows to a four-year, $18 million contract extension.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed defenseman Kevin Klein to a five-year, $14.5 million contract extension.

The New York Islanders have re-signed forward Matt Martin to a four-year, $4 million contract extension.

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed defenseman Cam Fowler to a five-year, $20 million contract extension.

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed forward Tyler Ennis to a two-year, $5.625 million contract extension.

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed forward Shane Doan to a four-year, $21.2 million contract.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman John Carlson to a six-year, $23.8 million contract extension.

The Dallas Stars have re-signed goalie Kari Lehtonen to a five-year, $29.5 million contract extension.

Look for my huge European rumor and signings update, as many NHLers have signed contract with European teams.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 29, 2009

According to Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell, both Kari Lehtonen and Ondrej Pavelec will be shopped this summer, with one of them most likely to be traded. Brochu's take: Lehtonen hasn't quite lived up to his potential, but I'm pretty sure some NHL teams will give him a chance. Pavelec may need several more years to establish himself. Source

According to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, several teams have contacted the Detroit Red Wings about trading the rights to forward Marian Hossa. GM Ken Holland doesn't want to trade the rights yet, but admits if a deal cannot be concluded in the next 48 hours, he will consider offers. Brochu's take: It's my guess that Hossa will be shooting for the moon in terms of his contract, so whoever wants his rights should be wary. I'm hearing the Carolina Hurricanes and Islanders are very interested.

LeBrun also adds a rumor that the Montreal Canadiens may sign impending UFA Martin Havlat. Havlat spends his offseason in Montreal. Source

There continues to be speculation that Saku Koivu will sign with the Minnesota Wild so that he can play with his brother Mikko.

It appears the Philadelphia Flyers are willing to let impending UFA goalie Martin Biron go, since they already signed Ray Emery to a contract. It's been rumored that the Colorado Avalanche are interested in signing the netminder.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun postulates that the Habs will go after Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Briere as "Plan B", as efforts to pry Vincent Lecavalier from the Tampa Bay Lightning have been futile. Garrioch adds that the Flyers are shopping forward Simon Gagne. Brochu's take: Briere's contract is essentially untradeable, and he has a no trade clause and made it pretty clear he doesn't want to play in Montreal, despite Garrioch's assertions. As for Gagne, his contract is pretty cheap, and I would imagine many teams will be lining up to get him. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 4, 2009

According to the New York Post, Markus Naslund has retired from the NHL at the age of 35. Naslund notified New York Rangers GM Glen Sather of his decision at an exit interview on Thursday. The Rangers have not commented on the newspaper report. Naslund still has one year remaining on his contract, worth $3 million. Brochu's take: Naslund was once amongst the top 3 players in the league. However, he's never really been the same since the Steve Moore hit.

The San Jose Sharks have signed forward John McCarthy to a two-year, entry-level contract. McCarthy was the Sharks' 7th round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

According to TSN, the Philadelphia Flyers have had significant discussions with Ray Emery's agent, J.P. Barry, about a return to the NHL. Emery played in Russia last season in the Kontinental Hockey League with Atlant Mytischi and has a lucrative offer on the table to return to the KHL with the same club. The Flyers have been rumored to be looking to improve their goaltending position, and they are also interested in Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson and Atlanta Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen. Brochu's take: There's also rumors that the Edmonton Oilers are looking closely at the young netminder. Source

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting the Blackhawks and free agent-to-be forward Martin Havlat are discussing a 8-10 year contract extension. Brochu's take: While Havlat finally had an injury-free season, his questionable injury history should scare any team off a long-term offer like that. The Hawks would be making a big mistake if they did that. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Buffalo Sabres goalie Mikael Tellqvist has left the organization and has signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan for the 2009-2010 season.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 27, 2009

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Jamie McBain to a three-year, entry-level contract. McBain was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and played for the University of Wisconsin for the past three seasons. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed free agent goalie Johan Backlund to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old Backlund has appeared in 49 games with Timra of the Swedish Elite League this season, posting a 2.56 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and four shutouts. Source

There's a rumor that the Columbus Blue Jackets are among the top teams in the running for coveted free agent forward Tyler Bozak.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen is getting interest from several NHL teams. Lehtonen plays for Timra of the SEL, and had 15 goals and 15 assists in 41 games this season. Source

Weekend rumor roundup for Feb 21-22, 2009

Just wrapping up some of the rumors this weekend, and some I missed this past week:

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting a rumor of the Philadelphia Flyers trading top prospect James van Riemsdyk to the Atlanta Thrashers for goalie Kari Lehtonen. Brochu's take: Lehtonen was once hailed as the next great goalie, but he hasn't shown that in Atlanta. Maybe a change of scenery would help him out. The Flyers are desperately looking for good goaltending. Source

Chris Pronger's name continues to be in the rumor mill, with the New Jersey Devils being the team most linked to. The Anaheim Ducks continue to fight for a playoff spot, and Pronger let it be known on his blog that he doesn't want to be traded. Speculation is that IF Pronger is shopped, the package would have to include a young roster player, prospect and multiple picks. Brochu's take: I would think the Chicago Blackhawks are also in the mix. Perhaps a package of Cam Barker, Bill Sweatt and a couple picks could entice the Ducks?

Nashville Predators defenseman Ville Koistinen has asked for a trade. The young Finnish rearguard has been a healthy scratch for most of the season. Brochu's take: Could be a good depth move for any team looking for a defenseman. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 9, 2008

Here are the latest rumors from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

There appears to be a logjam in net for the Atlanta Thrashers and it's believed that goalie Kari Lehtonen is available. Both Garrioch and Al Strachan of HNIC are reporting that GM Don Waddell is shopping the 23-year old Finn around the league. Garrioch speculates that the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers will make inquiries. Brochu's take: The Flyers are pushing the cap as it is, so they won't get him. The Wings will stick with Osgood for this season at least.

The Florida Panthers are looking more and more likely to be dwelling in the division cellar, which has fueled speculation that Jay Bouwmeester will be traded. The Ottawa Senators are interested, but the asking price is forward Antoine Vermette. GM Jacques Martin has coveted Vermette for sometime. The Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks are also interested. Brochu's take: Martin's time in Florida is running out, and if he does deal Bouwmeester this season, he won't have a job for long.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are shopping defenseman Christian Backman, forward Jiri Novotny and goalie Frederik Norrena. Garrioch believes there's not much interest in any of them. Brochu's take: For once, I agree with Garrioch.

Garrioch also believes that the Ducks will shop forward Bobby Ryan if they can't find a way to get him into the NHL. Brochu's take: I don't think that's a particularly good reason to shop a young forward.

NHL free agent signings for July 16, 2008

Catching up on some backlog, here are the latest NHL free agent signings:

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Shawn Horcoff to a 6-year, $33 million contract extension. Brochu's take: That's a lot of money for a 29-year old guy that's reached 70+ points. Even including his intangibles, he's overpaid.

The Oil have also re-signed Zach Stortini to a three-year, $2.1 million contract. They also signed right wing Carl Corazzini on a one-year contract.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed restricted free agent goalie Kari Lehtonen to a one-year, $3 million contract. They also re-signed defenseman Nathan Oystrick and right wing Joey Crabb.

The New York Islanders have re-signed forward Jeff Tambellini to a two-year, $1.175 million contract. The Isles also signed forward Sean Bergenheim to a two-year contract worth $1.725 million.

The New York Rangers have have signed Nigel Dawes to a 1-Year, $587,500 contract. They have also signed Dan Fritsche to a one-year deal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with defensemen Jaime Sifers and Richard Petiot, center Alex Foster and right wing Ben Ondrus on one-year contracts.

Trade Crosby?

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is wondering aloud if the Pittsburgh Penguins should trade Sidney Crosby. Smizik rationalizes that the Pens are actually better without Sid the Kid in the lineup, and they could get a lot in return. Source

According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, the Montreal Canadiens were willing to send Christopher Higgins and their 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2008 to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Mats Sundin. Simmons claims that Sundin's no trade clause nixed the deal. Source

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Thrashers GM Don Waddell has no talks planned with any of their free agents, unrestricted or restricted. The Thrashers have eight potential unrestricted free agents on their roster including Mark Recchi, Johan Hedberg, Eric Boulton, Bobby Holik and Steve McCarthy. Goalie Kari Lehtonen is due to become an RFA this summer. Source