NHL and Hockey Rumors for March 20, 2013

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla may have provided a list of teams that he would accept a trade to.  These teams are possibly the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, and Detroit Red Wings.  Brochu's take:  This could get interesting.  This is the first whisper that Iginla is considering moving to a contender.

Pierre LeBrun also adds that Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester could also be traded.  It's believed that the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings have interest.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed goalie Garret Sparks to a three-year, entry-level contract.  Sparks was the Leafs' 7th round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The Leafs have also signed defenseman Tom Nilsson to a three-year, entry-level contract.  Nilsson was the Leafs' 4th round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 23, 2008

Edmonton Oilers coach Craig MacTavish has put forward Robert Nilsson in his doghouse by putting the Swedish forward as a healthy scratch for Monday's game against the Phoenix Coyotes. Nilsson was benched on Friday, and was called out in the Edmonton Sun by MacTavish. "I was expecting a lot more out of him," MacTavish told the paper. "He had a great opportunity playing with our best forward (Ales Hemsky) and he just didn't show enough urgency in his game for me. That's plagued him through his career so far, the complacency and the laissez-faire attitude in which he conducts himself and plays the game." Brochu's take: This method of calling out players in the media seemed to work for Dustin Penner, who has responded offensively. But will it work again? Nilsson's name could be in trade rumors if it doesn't work out.

According to the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website, there appears to be a lot of indications that the Blue Jackets could be trading as soon as the NHL Christmas trade freeze ends December 27. Writer Tom Reed suggests that New York Islanders Doug Weight and Mike Comrie would be good fits, however, Comrie's $4 million salary might be too much for Columbus' liking. Brochu's take: Weight and Comrie look like targets for NHL teams arming for the playoffs.

Afinogenov available?

Maxim Afinogenov looks likely to be dealt in the off-season. "It’s something we really have to look at with Max," said Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier. "He’s a great guy. I have only good things to say about him, but he may well be one of these players who’s ready for a change." Brochu's take: I expect Afinogenov to get a lot of interest from offense-starved teams in the summer. He's still capable of 25 goals and 70 points, and at his salary that is quite comparable to other players. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Tom Gilbert to a six-year, $24 million contract extension. Gilbert will earn $3.5 million next season with a $1.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in 2009-2010, $5.5 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus in 2010-2011, $5 million in 2011-2012, $3.5 million in 2012-2013, and $3 million in 2013-2014 for a salary cap average of $4 million a season. Brochu's take: A big overpayment by Lowe. Gilbert has had one good season in the NHL and now he's a $4 million defenseman. Perhaps Lowe feared that Gilbert would get a RFA offer sheet, however he had the funds to match any offer. Source

The Oilers have also re-signed forward Robert Nilsson to a three-year, $5.5 million contract extension. Nilsson will earn $1.5 million next season and $2 million in each remaining season. Brochu's take: Now this is great signing by Lowe. Nilsson is key to the Oilers youth movement and should improve his offensive stats next season.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed draftee Nathan Davis from the Miami University of Ohio to an entry-level contract. Source