NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 24, 2008

According to Philadelphia sources, the Flyers are shopping forward Andreas Nodl. The Flyers have been looking for a defenseman, and there are rumors that there were scouts looking at Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Cam Barker, who is currently playing in the AHL. The Colorado Avalance and Montreal Canadiens have also sent scouts to look at Barker. Brochu's take: You have to wonder why Barker is still in the AHL. As for Nodl, he may have a better future on another team, as the Flyers are pretty full in the top 6.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed free agent defenseman Bret Hedican to a one-year, $870,000 contract.

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman John Erskine to a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have officially signed defenseman Marek Malik to a one-year contract. He has been practicing with the team since Oct 15.

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 15, 2008

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent defenseman Marek Malik to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.

The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with defenseman Tysen Dowzak.

According to Marty York of Metro News, Calgary Flames coach Mike Keenan is on the hot seat should the Flames falter early.

Weekend rumor roundup Oct 11-12, 2008

The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed forward Anze Kopitar to a seven-year, $47.6 million contract extension set to start in 2009-2010. Brochu's take: A good deal for LA, but what has happened to the second contract? It seems that young impact players move from their entry-level contracts straight into lucrative contracts that, in the past, would be reserved for their third contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed defenseman Alex Edler to a four-year, $13 million contract extension. Brochu's take: Another good signing, on par with similiar players that have signed recently.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Joey Haddad to a three-year contract.

The Detroit Red Wings have placed defenseman Kyle Quincey on waivers.

The following rumors are from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, so take it with a grain(bag) of salt.

The Canucks are looking to move defenseman Kevin Bieksa. Brochu's take: The 'Nucks just traded a d-man, so I don't think they're looking to trade him at this moment.

The Carolina Hurricanes may be interested in Boston Bruins forward Peter Schaefer, whose $2.1 million contract is currently off the salary cap. The Canes are looking to dangle defensemen Frantisek Kaberle and Joe Corvo.

The Florida Panthers are looking to move forward Radek Dvorak.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are interested in signing free agent defenseman Marek Malik.

The Edmonton Oilers may be "willing to deal" defenseman Ladislav Smid. Brochu's take: The least that Garrioch could do was at least spell "Smead" right.

Rangers after Boyle, Rucinsky and Sundin?

The New York Rangers dominate this rumor report, as several sources indicate that they could make a big splash at the trade deadline.

The New York Post is reporting that the Rangers are making a push for Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle. If Boyle is not signed by the deadline, and if there are no takers for forward Brad Richards, Boyle could be moved.

The New York Post reported the New York Rangers are believed interested in bringing back St. Louis Blues winger Martin Rucinsky for a fourth tour of duty on Broadway. St. Louis president John Davidson likes defenseman Marek Malik, but the Rangers would require a defenseman in return. Source

Marty York of Metro News believes that Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is "no. 1" on the Rangers shopping list. Source

New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is in the market for a "rental" player, and is not interested in signed players. Source

Team 1040 radio in Vancouver is reporting a rumour that the Dallas Stars would send defenseman Phillipe Boucher and goalie Mike Smith to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Brad Richards.

The Boston Bruins have placed forward Stanislav Chistov on waivers. Chistov left his Russian Super League team Salavat Yulaev Ufa late last week. Source

The Los Angeles Kings claimed Matt Ellis off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings.

The Edmonton Oilers put Patrick Thoresen on waivers Thursday.

Kings fire sale?

The LA Daily Times is reporting that the LA Kings could be conducting a fire sale very soon. GM Dean Lombardi must decide which players are part of his future, and which players could be traded for draft picks and younger players. Defensemen Rob Blake, Brad Stuart and Jaroslav Modry and forwards Ladislav Nagy, Brian Willsie and Scott Thornton are others often mentioned in trade rumors. Michael Cammalleri could be available if the price is right. Source

The Kings have also signed forward Raitis Ivanans to a two-year, $1.2 million contract extension.

New York Rangers GM Glen Sather is actively shopping defenseman Marek Malik, but no teams are willing to meet Sather's demand of a top-four defenseman as the return. Malik has around $950,000 left in salary this season and will be a UFA this summer. Source

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded forward Jody Shelley to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Source

Rumors are flying that the Ottawa Senators are looking to trade troubled goaltender Ray Emery. Emery was fined by the team on Tuesday for showing up late to practise in New York. He was apparently returning from a trip to Las Vegas during the All-Star break.

Oilers and Stars talking, Malik AWOL?

Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe was in the pressbox at the Dallas Stars-Buffalo Sabres game Thursday night. He was sitting with ex-Stars GM Doug Armstrong. Could there be something going on with these two old rivals? The New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild also had scouts at the game, and the Dallas Morning News Stars blog is reporting that the Rangers have been scouting the Stars a lot lately. Source

Rumours are flying that the Columbus Blue Jackets are close to a trade. Talks have surrounded the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers. Jackets GM Scott Howson would prefer to deal with an Eastern Conference team, but if the right deal came along he would trade with the West. Source

According to a source close to the Hockey News, Teemu Selanne could be back skating with the Anaheim Ducks as soon as next week. Source

William Houston of the Globe and Mail is reporting that TSN analyst Mike Milbury says Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke wants the GM job with the Toronto Maple Leafs and will take it if he is assured he will not see or hear from Richard Peddie outside board meetings. Peddie is the president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Leafs. Burke is currently signed until 2009 and is negotiating with the Ducks on an extension. Source

New York Rangers defenseman Marek Malik's equipment was not in his practice locker and could be on the move according to Newsday. "Right now it's just an internal matter," said coach Tom Renney. Asked if he was suspended, Renney declined to answer. Asked if he was still on the team, the answer was: "He's a Ranger." Renney wouldn't say if the defenseman was being traded. Malik is earning $2.5 million this year and has been a healthy scratch for a few games. Perhaps Columbus is interested? Source

The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Donald Brashear to a one-year contract. Source

Rangers-Blue Jackets rumors heat up

Aaron Portzline writes on the Puck-rakers blog from the Columbus Dispatch that eight scouts were on hand to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets-LA Kings game Thursday night. Rick Kehoe of the New York Rangers is watching the Blue Jackets for the sixth or seventh time this season, while Gordie Roberts of the Montreal Canadiens was also present. You may remember that the rumours of a trade between the Jackets and Rangers were flying last week. The Blue Jackets remain interested in winger Petr Prucha, while the Rangers may be looking at Manny Malholtra, who has just returned from injury.

There was also that Sergei Fedorov to Montreal rumour a few weeks back, which you can read here. Other names in the rumor mill for both teams include defensemen Adam Foote, Marek Malik and Paul Mara.

The other teams that were represented were two scouts each from the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins, and one each from the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks. Portzline speculates that these teams probably expect the Kings and Jackets to be sellers at the trade deadline and may be doing some advance scouting. But then again, a trade may be imminent. Source

Peter Forsberg is close to skating again. TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that Forsberg is waiting for clearance from doctors to begin skating. Foppa has still not had serious discussions with any NHL team. Sources are indicating that he would prefer to return to the Philadelphia Flyers, but both the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators could be likely destinations. Source

Potential Rangers/Blue Jackets blockbuster?

Aaron Portzline reports on his Columbus Blue Jackets blog Puck-rakers that the New York Rangers and Blue Jackets have talked, but nothing is imminent. Portzline also reported that on Dec. 23, when the Blue Jackets played Nashville, Gord Clark – the Rangers’ director of player personnel – watched from high above the rink. The Rangers are said to be interested in right winger David Vyborny and a defenseman, maybe Adam Foote or Rostislav Klesla. The Blue Jackets are said to be interested in right winger Petr Prucha. Source

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is also reporting on this rumor, speculating that other players could be included in an expanded deal. The Rangers would like to get rid of the contracts of defensemen Paul Mara and Marek Malik, but would also have to include someone like forward Nigel Dawes to make up the difference. Brooks also notes that Jason Chimera could be included in any deal between the two teams. Source

There are rumors coming from Chicago that Tuomo Ruutu could be shopped by the Blackhawks to get a veteran defenseman. The plethora of young forward talent in the Chicago system has made Ruutu a valuable asset in the market.

The NHL could be returning to ESPN (ESPN2 to be accurate) for the 2008-2009 season.