NHL free agent signings for July 26, 2008

The Boston Bruins have officially bought out the final year of Glen Murray's $4.15 million per year contract. Murray will become an unrestricted free agent.

The Minnesota Wild have avoided arbitration with forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard and have agreed to a five-year, $20.4 million contract.

The Nashville Predators have signed center Rich Peverley to a two-year contract and signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a one-year contract extension.

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed forward Marek Svatos to a two-year, $4.1 million contract.

The New York Islanders have re-signed defenseman Bruno Gervais to a three-year, $2.2 million deal.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Yanick Lehoux to a one-year contract. Lehoux played the 2007-2008 season with Russian team Atlant Mytischy.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Mike York to a one-year deal. Brochu's take: This is interesting, as York had already signed with KHL team Sibir Novosibirsk. Seems that "ceasefire" between the NHL and KHL didn't last long.

Washington Capitlas defenseman Shaone Morrisonn was awarded a one-year contract worth $1.975 million in salary arbitration.

NHL and hockey rumors for July 14, 2008

There's been a lot of movement to the KHL lately, so without further ado:

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that Brendan Shanahan has been pursued by several Russian teams, including SKA St. Petersburg and Dynamo Moskva (Moscow).

The Florida Panthers are rumored to be close to re-signing forward Janis Sprukts, who played in Finland last season.

Defenseman Branislav Mezei has signed with Barys Astana in Kazakhstan for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Forward Josef Stumpel has also signed with KHL team Barys Astana for one year.

Forward Mike York has signed with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL.

Defenseman Steve McCarthy has signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Jason Williams to a one year, $2.2 million contract.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Kris Beech to a one year, two-way contract.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Craig MacDonald to a contract.

The Dallas Stars have signed forward Jamie Benn to a three-year, entry level contract.

The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Brad Winchester to a contract.

NHL and hockey rumors for June 16, 2008

According to Newsday, Alexei Yashin wants to return to the NHL with the New York Islanders. Yashin's agent and GM Garth Snow has had discussions about a contract, but nothing is conclusive at this point. Yashin has a standing contract offer from his Russian team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv for the 2008-2009 season. Brochu's take: Are the Islanders really this desperate for offense? But than again, stranger things have happened...nah, this is much stranger. Source

Swiss reports are indicating that the Montreal Canadiens may be having problems with signing impending UFA Mark Streit. The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have shown interest in the defenseman/forward. Streit's preference is to play for a team's blueline corps. Source

Unrestricted free agent Blake Wheeler is narrowing down his list of teams to around 3 or 4. Wheeler is believed to have limited himself to teams in the East. The Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are amongst the interested teams. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that German clubs Kolner Hale and Adler Mannheim are pursuing Phoenix Coyotes forward Mike York. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Richard Matvichuk could be joining the Straubing Tigers of the DEL. Source

New Jersey Devils forward Petr Vrana could be joining Swedish club Brynas for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Poll Results:

Who is this summer's biggest free agent?

Marian Hossa	305 (65%)
Pavol Demitra	7 (1%)
Brian Campbell	94 (20%)
Wade Redden	11 (2%)
Kristian Huselius	11 (2%)
Brian Rolston	17 (3%)
Other	19 (4%)

Total Votes: 464

Thanks to everyone who participated in the polls!