NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 13, 2008

Bob McKenzie of TSN was on Team 1040 radio in Vancouver on Friday and stated that there was a rumor that the New York Rangers would send forward Scott Gomez to the Vancouver Canucks to make room for Mats Sundin. McKenzie added that the rumour was around in the summer, but has recently percolated around the NHL. Brochu's take: We shall see. The Rangers definitely have to make soom salary cap space if they want to fit in the Swedish centre.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed defenseman Mike Lundin on waivers.

The New Jersey Devils have placed forward Petr Vrana on waivers. Brochu's take: I expect Vrana to be picked up. He was one of the Devils best prospects last year.

The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Brett Leonhardt to a one-day amateur tryout contract on Friday. Jose Theodore suffered a hip flexor injury during the Capitals' morning skate, and Simeon Varlamov was recalled from Hershey, the team's AHL affiliate, to back up starter Brent Johnson. However, Varlamov was in San Antonio, and would arrive sometime during the game on Friday. Leonhardt is a Capitals website editor, and actually played goalie for Division III college team Neumann College. Brochu's take: These are great stories. Leonhardt was relieved by Varlamov at the start of the second period. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Slovakian forward and former NHLer Ladislav Nagy is not having a good season in the KHL, and may be looking to return to North America next season. Nagy has 3 goals in 28 games with Severstal Cherepovets. The Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders expressed some interest in the forward last summer. Brochu's take: Some players are finding out the hard way that the KHL isn't what it's hyped up to be. Expect Nagy to sign with an NHL team next season. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for July 31, 2008

The Minnesota Wild have bought out the last 3 years of Mark Parrish's contract. The cap hit will be spread out for the next 6 years. Parrish is now an unrestricted free agent. Brochu's take: Parrish will be a cheap pick up for a team looking for a decent 2nd/3rd liner.

The Detroit Red Wings have avoided arbitration and have re-signed forward Valteri Filppula to a five-year, $15 million contract.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed goaltender Pascal Leclaire to a three-year, $11.4 million contract. The deal will pay Leclaire $3 million this season, $3.6 million in 2009-10 and $4.8 million in 2010-11.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Drayson Bowman to a three-year, $2.06 million entry-level contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jaroslav Modry is very close to signing with Czech Extraliga club HC Bílí Tygři Liberec. Source

In an interview with hokej.sk, Ladislav Nagy acknowledged that he has had offers to play in Russia, but he wants to remain in the NHL. Nagy also expressed an interest in playing in Canada, and would not mind a lower salary to stay in the NHL. Brochu's take: This certainly adds to the rumors that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in him. Source

Swedish reports are indicating that Nashville Predators forward Jan Hlavac could be signing with Swedish team Linkoping.

There are rumors that Washington Capitals forward Ben Clymer could be signing with KHL team Ak Bars Kazan or Swiss Nationalliga A club Biel/Bienne. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for July 28, 2008

Florida Panthers restricted free agent Jay Bouwmeester has reportedly turned down a multi-year contract offer from the Florida Panthers and will go forward with his arbitration hearing scheduled for July 29. Several reports say the all-star defenseman turned down a deal worth more than $5 million per season. Several teammates and "sources" don't believe that Bouwmeester will be in Florida for the 2009-2010 season. Brochu's take: Expect the Bouwmeester rumors to spiral out of control for the upcoming season. Source

Swedish reports are saying that the New York Rangers have re-signed forward Fredrik Sjostrom to a one-year, $840 000 contract.

There are rumors that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators are interested in free agent forward Ladislav Nagy.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Alexei Zhitnik has signed a try-out contract with KHL team Dynamo Moskva (Moscow).

Phoenix Coyotes forward Mathias Tjarnqvist is rumored to be signing with a Swedish Elite League team. Source

Havlat to San Jose?

There are four teams that are shopping for a top 4 defenseman: The Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators. The Devils have $3.6 million in cap room, and are interested in LA Kings defenseman Brad Stuart, Buffalo Sabres' Brian Campbell and Tampa Lightning's Dan Boyle. The other three teams are also in contention for one of these blue-liners.

The Devils are also targeting Kings forward Ladislav Nagy and Chicago Blackhawks forward Robert Lang. Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vaclav Prospal's recent verbal barb against his coach John Tortorella has only increased speculation that he will be gone by the trade deadline. Rumors are that the Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins are interested. Source

The following rumours come from Al Strachan of the Score:

The San Jose Sharks have inquired about Chicago Blackhawks forward Martin Havlat.

Dan Boyle is looking for a $7 million-a-year contract with the Lightning.

The New York Rangers have signed goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to a six-year, $41.25 million contract extension.

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Tomas Fleischmann to a two-year, $1.45 million contract extension.

Jokinen for Marleau, Carle?

The latest NHL rumors from everyone's favourite rumormonger, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

Sources say Florida Panthers assistant GM Randy Sexton held discussions with San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson early in the season that would have led to Olli Jokinen being shipped to the Sharks for Patrick Marleau and Matt Carle. Garrioch believes that this deal could happen at the trade deadline.

The Phoenix Coyotes are worried about Radim Vrbata's salary demands and he could be dealt. The Coyotes are also shopping defenseman Brendan Bell.

The New York Islanders are shopping Mike Comrie and Miroslav Satan. Satan is currently out with a knee injury.

Nick Schultz's impending UFA status may him available at the trade deadline. Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough could have had Schultz signed in the summer for $2.5 million but didn't. Schultz was awarded $1.8 million in arbitration. Now a lot of teams are calling.

Apparently LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi has told other GMs that any King over the age of 25 is available. This list includes Rob Blake, Ladislav Nagy, Derek Armstrong, Scott Thornton, Brad Stuart, Tom Preissing and Jaroslav Modry.

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.

Bruce Garrioch's rumour round-up

Here is the latest from Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch. He covers a lot of rumours that have been floating around, so here are the ones that are less covered:

The Philadelphia Flyers may try to put a package together to get Mats Sundin from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Citing sources, GM Paul Holmgren would send Jeff Carter and a 1st round pick for the Swede.

The LA Kings are shopping forward Ladislav Nagy, and defensemen Brad Stuart, Jaroslav Modry and Rob Blake. GM Dean Lombardi wants a roster player, prospect and a 1st round pick for Blake's services.

Garrioch is also rehashing the old rumour of the Tampa Bay Lightning sending Martin St. Louis to the Dallas Stars for Marty Turco.

The Carolina Hurricanes want either Ottawa Senators defnseman Joe Corvo or forward Antoine Vermette, but are unwilling to send Erik Cole the other way. GM Jim Rutherford may also consider sending Cole to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward David Vyborny.