NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 1, 2009

The Dallas Stars will officially announce on Monday that Joe Nieuwendyk will become the new general manager. Owner Tom Hicks also announced that co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson have both been reassigned within the organization. Hull will be moving to the roles of Executive Vice President and Alternative Governor, while Jackson is returning to his role as Director of Scouting and Player Development. Nieuwendyk was, until today, the Special Assistant to the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brochu's take: Whoa, this came out of left field. Could this change the way the Stars will operate come free agency time? Source

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Milan Kytnar to a three-year, entry-level contract. Kytnar was the Oil's 5th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Paul Byron to a three-year, entry-level contract. Byron was the Sabres' 6th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Calgary Flames have re-signed forward Kyle Greentree to a one-year, two-way contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup: (signings)

Forward Marek Zagrapan has left the Buffalo Sabres and has signed a contract with KHL club Severstal Cherepovets. Zagrapan is due to be a RFA, so the Sabres would still own his NHL rights. Source

Forward Aleksandr Nikulin has left the Phoenix Coyotes organization and has signed with CSKA Moskva (Moscow). Source

Forward Petr Vrana has left the New Jersey Devils organization and has signed with Czech club HC Vitkovice. Source

New York Islanders forward Kurtis McLean has left the organization and signed with Finnish hockey team Lukko Rauma.

Senators trade Nikulin to Coyotes for Fata

The Ottawa Senators have traded disgruntled forward Alexander Nikulin to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Drew Fata. Brochu's take: Looks like he got what he wanted. But with Phoenix's youthful lineup, where does he fit in? Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 3, 2008

The Toronto Maple Leafs are rumored to be on the verge of trading one of their surplus defenseman, and the most likely two are Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo, who were on display in Sunday night's game between the Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. "We've had preliminary discussions with a few managers," GM Cliff Fletcher said during the game. "And there will be a time I'm sure in the near future when a trade could be available for us. We'd be looking to move just one defenceman and hopefully get a forward in return that would fit into our scheme of things." Fletcher was also spotted in a suite with Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford, who has been looking for a defenseman. Brochu's take: Stay tuned, there could be a trade brewing between these two teams. Source

Fletcher also dismissed rumours that he was interested in Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk and insisted he has not talked to the Thrashers about anything. GM Don Waddell claimed the speculation as a "wild rumour".

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Ottawa Senators forward prospect Alexander Nikulin has demanded a trade or he will return to Russia. The 23-year old Nikulin has stated that he will return to Russia if the Senators do not have a deal in place by Monday. GM Bryan Murray has shopped the forward for some time, but no one was seriously interested. Brochu's take: This is going to happen more and more with Russian draft picks. Source

Minnesota Wild forward Petr Kalus has signed a contract with KHL team HK MVD Balashikha. Kalus bolted from the AHL farm team in October.

New Jersey Devils forward Erik Rasmussen has signed with Finnish team Assat Pori.

Florida Panthers forward Rob Globke has signed with Frederikshavn White Hawks in Denmark.

NHL and hockey rumors for July 5, 2008

According to TBO.com, The Tampa Bay Lightning may have one or two more moves in the near future, and it could happen sometime this weekend. Writer Erik Erlendsson speculates that the Lightning could be signing defenseman Jason Smith, and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Michel Ouellet could be on the block. Brochu's take: Rumors are that the Canucks, Oilers and Leafs are interested in the forwards. Source

The Vancouver Province is reporting that UFA forward Brendan Morrison has rejected the Canucks offer of a one-year, $1.9 million contract and will sign with another team next week. Morrison is currently fielding offers from up to 9 teams. The Minnesota Wild may be the frontrunners to land the centre. Source

The Lightning have also signed forward Zenon Konopka to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Fedor Fedorov to a contract. Fedorov spent last season playing with Dynamo Moskva (Moscow).

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Janne Pesonen to a contract. Pesonen played for Karpat in 2007-2008. Source

The Atlanta Thrashers are rumored to be close to signing defenseman Ilya Nikulin from Ak Bars Kazan.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed defenseman Jonas Frogren to a contract.