NHL rumor update Mar 3

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune is reporting that the Minnesota Wild were willing to deal forward Benoit Pouliot at the trade deadline. This could be because the 21-year-old forward has not had a very good season, scoring only 9 goals and 21 points in 42 AHL games. Apparently, teams were asking for the availability of James Sheppard, Mikko Koivu and Colton Gillies. Source

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Ben Maxwell to an entry level, 3-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Source

The Ottawa Senators are reportedly close to signing forward Jesse Winchester to a free agent contract. The 6'1, 205 pound forward plays for the Colgate University Raiders. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Ottawa Senators are rumoured to be close to signing prospect Peter Regin to a contract. The Danish forward is having a good season with Timrå of the Swedish Elite League. Source

There is a rumor that an NHL team is interested in Regin's teammate, Mika Pyörälä. "There is an NHL team that has spoken with me about Mika," Pyorala's agent Juuso Pullianen said. Pullianen also said that several other teams have shown interest in the free agent. Could he be the next over-hyped European free agent to come over to North America? Source

Oleg "Freakin" Saprykin is reportedly interested in returning to the NHL. He led his team CSKA Moscow in scoring with 26 goals and 46 points, according to Sovietsky Sport. (Translation via the New York Times Slap Shot blog) Source

Olli Jokinen rumours

According to RDS, TSN and Sportsnet, Olli Jokinen has been shopped by Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin. It was reported that four teams were contacted, with at least one team in Canada. However, Jacques Martin, Panther's owner Alan Cohen and Jokinen himself have all denied the rumor. Cohen went as far as saying "I'm never trading him." Source

Mattias Ohlund may receive a suspension for his actions on Friday night. Ohlund took a two-handed slash to Mikko Koivu's leg after Koivu tried elbowing Ohlund in the head. It's been reported that the Minnesota Wild forward has a broken fibula and will miss at least a week. There is speculation that the Vancouver Canucks defenseman could receive a 5 game suspension from the NHL. Source

These following rumours come courtesy of the often imitated, but never duplicated Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

The Dallas Stars are close to some deals and a name that's been mentioned is Glen Murray of the Boston Bruins.

Calgary GM Darryl Sutter is busy trying to land a No. 1 centre and sources say Sutter has held talks with Sharks GM Doug Wilson about Patrick Marleau. Wilson has maintained he's going to keep Marleau, but situations change. Marleau has a two-year extension kicking in next season that includes a "no-movement" clause, which means if Wilson wants to make a deal he has to do it this year.