Waiver Claims and Signings

The Dallas Stars have claimed forward Brendan Morrison off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have claimed forward Craig Adams off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have claimed defenseman Erik Reitz off waivers from the New York Rangers.

The Leafs also claimed Ottawa Senators goalie Martin Gerber off re-entry waivers. Brochu's take: Gerber will be the no.1 goalie for the Leafs for the rest of the season, as Vesa Toskala has been shut down for hip surgery.

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed defenseman Filip Kuba to a three-year, $11.1 million contract extension, with a full no trade clause. Brochu's take: The deal effectively ended the Kuba trade rumors.

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed Tim Connolly to a two-year, $9 million contract extension. Brochu's take: The Sabres had to do this, but that's a lot of money to a guy with serious injury troubles.

The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed defenseman Sean O'Donnell to a one-year, $1.25 million contract extension. They have also signed goalie Erik Ersberg to a two-year, $1.5 million contract extension. Brochu's take: That's an absolute bargain for Ersberg.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 30, 2009

The New York Rangers have traded forward Dan Fritsche to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Erik Reitz. Frtische cleared waivers on Wednesday.

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed forward George Parros to a three-year contract extension. The deal is believed to be worth $875,000 annually. Brochu's take: It was supposed to be a two-year contract, but his moustache got an extra year.

According to USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen, there are many players believed to be available before the March 4 trade deadline. Among the most talked about are Ottawa Senators forward Dean McAmmond, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean O'Donnell, Nashville Predators defenseman Greg De Vries and forward Radek Bonk. Allen also believes it's possible that the Anaheim Ducks could shop one of their impending UFAs, a group which includes Brendan Morrison, Steve Montador, Todd Marchant, Sami Pahlsson, Travis Moen, and both Niedermayer brothers. Brochu's take: Allen lists others, but they have been all reported earlier in rumors. I don't think the Ducks will shop anyone yet, as they are fighting for a playoff spot. Source

The Chicago Blackhawks are considering re-signing forward Martin Havlat. Havlat is in the last year of his $6 million a year deal. Brochu's take: Rumours of the Hawks wanting to trade Havlat have really died down. His strong play and injury-free status this year should get him a good contract in the offseason. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 1, 2008

The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenseman Sean O'Donnell to the Los Angeles Kings for a conditional pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Brochu's take: GM Brian Burke may not be done, as the Ducks are now under the salary cap but only by a few hundred thousand dollars.

The Edmonton Oilers have claimed defenceman Steve MacIntyre off waivers from the Florida Panthers.

Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has cleared waivers. Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail suggests the Kings as a likely destination, with forward Michal Handzus going to the Hawks. Duhatschek also reports of Chicago's interest in Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander.

The Carolina Hurricanes have released forward Jeff O'Neill from training camp.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed forward Michel Ouellet on waivers.

Ducks trade watch, day 7

The Anaheim Ducks trade watch continues. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the most likely return for Scott Niedermayer would be Sunday for the game against the San Jose Sharks. GM Brian Burke has until then to free up around $900,000 from next year's salary cap. McKenzie is saying that "Burke is sitting on some deals that could be done in a heartbeat. He could move veteran Defenceman Sean O'Donnell for a draft pick or package defenceman Shane Hnidy and forward Brad May and the financial issues would be solved. But Burke is entertaining the idea of a "hockey trade" that would improve the Ducks and defenceman Mathieu Schneider would be part of that were it to happen." Source

Randy Youngman of the OC Register is reporting that Burke has been talking trade with the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, Chicago Blackhawks and Caroline Hurricanes. He's also reporting a rumor that the New Jersey Devils are interested in Schneider. Source

The Ducks announced on Monday that they have signed defenseman Bruno St. Jacques to a one-year contract. Subsequently, St. Jacques was recalled from the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate. Source

With the sale of the team official, the Nashville Predators are moving forward with their hockey team. This could mean several trades to improve their team, as the Predators have been looking for better goaltending. A few hours before announcing the sale had closed, Predators Holdings Chairman David Freeman said GM David Poile would soon have more freedom to move forward with other contract negotiations, explore trade opportunities and establish future payroll. Source

Goaltender Fred Brathwaite has left the Atlanta Thrashers AHL affiliate in Chicago and has been suspended by the organization. It's believed he received an offer to play in Russia. There are rumours that he may return to his old RSL team, Aq Bars Kazan. Source

Brochu's fantasy and injury update:

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo may miss several games with a rib contusion he suffered several weeks ago.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards suffered a leg injury in the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

Big rumour update, part 2

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, sources close to Scott Niedermayer suggest he is prepared to return to the NHL team in the near future, possibly at the end of this week. The Anaheim Ducks have to clear space for Niedermayer for this year and next year, even if Niedermayer does not play the 2008-2009 season. Multiple NHL sources have confirmed that the Ducks have been trying to free up this "tagging" room by having trade talks all this week. Sources suggest that any defensman not named Chris Pronger could be moved, including Mathieu Schneider, Francois Beauchemin and Sean O'Donnell. Source

Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail suggests that the Ducks could unload Todd Marchant and his $2.157 million contract by enticing other teams with a draft pick. Source

Various sources have confirmed that the Pittsburgh Penguins have placed Mark Recchi on waivers. There are rumors that the Islanders may be interested.

The Islanders blog on Newsday is speculating that the New York Islanders could package prospect Jeff Tambellini and a spare defenseman for a proven scorer or a top prospect. The Islanders are in a scoring slump, having scored 2 or less goals in their last 13 games.