NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 4, 2008

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, Brendan Shanahan was in Philadelphia Monday to meet with Flyer's GM Paul Holmgren. Brochu's take: Shananhan wants to remain in the East, and Philly is pretty close to his house and family in New York.

According to Mike Heika's Dallas Stars blog on The Dallas Morning News website, the Stars have signed forward Mark Parrish to a one-year, $500,000 contract, subject to a physical to be held tomorrow. Parrish was signed to an AHL try-out contract with the New York Islanders, but was free to sign with any NHL team. Source

The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Michel Ouellet on re-entry waivers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed forward Dan LaCouture on waivers.

There are rumors that the 2009-2010 NHL Season may begin in Sweden, with the city of Malmö hosting the game. Malmö is currently building a new arena. Source

The Columbus Blue Jackets are rumoured to be moving one of their depth defenseman, and a minor trade could come in the very near future.

Krajicek, Simek for Ouellet, O'Brien

The Vancouver Canucks have traded defenseman Lukas Krajicek and forward Juraj Simek to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Shane O'Brien and forward Michel Ouellet. Ouellet will report to the AHL Manitoba Moose. Brochu's take: Curious, as Ouellet just cleared waivers a few days ago. It would seem that Canucks GM Mike Gillis values grit more than skill. 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.

Weekend rumor roundup

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Vancouver Canucks are "quietly shopping" defenseman Mattias Ohlund. Ohlund has one year left on his contract, and the Ottawa Senators could be interested in him. Garrioch also suggests that the Carolina Hurricanes are willing to trade defenseman Frantisek Kaberle and Joe Corvo. Brochu's take: The Hurricanes actually do need defenseman to play NHL games, despite what Garrioch thinks. Ohlund has a no trade clause in his contract, and is unlikely to waive it. Source

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that there are rumors that the Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to trade forwards Michel Ouellet, Jussi Jokinen and Jason Ward to make some salary cap space. Source

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal is suggesting that the Calgary Flames may send defenseman Adrian Aucoin to the Los Angeles Kings. Brochu's take: This would bring the Kings up to the cap, but Aucoin is not a solution to the King's need for an offensive defenseman. Source

There have been several confirmed discussions between the Kings and Anaheim Ducks about defenseman Mathieu Schneider. It would seem a deal is inevitable. Source

Stay tuned for my European rumor roundup on Monday.

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.

Vultures circling Toronto, interest in Staios?

The Toronto Star is reporting that there were 18 scouts from 16 NHL teams watching the Toronto Maple Leafs-St. Louis Blues game Tuesday. Mats Sundin remains the subject of trade rumors, and there is speculation that interim GM Cliff Fletcher will talk to Sundin this week about waiving his no trade clause. Source

According to Adam Proteau of the Hockey News, a Western Conference GM stated that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Steve Staios might draw some interest around the league. Source

In other Oiler news, it looks like billionaire Daryl Katz's new $200 million offer to buy the Oilers will be accepted by the EIG board members. Source

TSN is reporting that the Calgary Flames and defenseman Dion Phaneuf are close to a long-term contract extension, with minor details being ironed out. This should put the preposterous Phaneuf rumours to rest. Source

Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that Peter Forsberg has given his agent Don Baizley the go-ahead to speak to NHL teams that may be interested in signing the Swedish forward. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Forward Matt Hussey has left the AHL Lake Erie Monsters and signed with Jokerit in Finland. He was signed by the Colorado Avalanche last summer. Source

Dallas Stars prospect Sergei Korostin has left Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) in Russia and is now playing with the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He was the Stars' third round, 64th overall selection in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Source

Goaltender Maxime Ouellet, the former first-round NHL draft pick, has left Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and signed with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL. Source

Aftonbladet in Sweden is reporting rumours that Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norström will leave the NHL in 2008-2009 and sign with AIK of the Allsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden.

The paper is also reporting that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Dick Tarnström will also sign with AIK next season. Source

Winnipeg Jets to fly again?

There has been speculation that the NHL is considering a move back to Winnipeg, buoyed by the strength of the Canadian dollar. In a report in the Toronto Star, a high-ranking hockey source says the league receives daily calls about bringing a franchise back to Manitoba. The NHL contacted Canadian regulators to reinforce its trademark on the Winnipeg Jets name and there is a brand new hockey venue in the MTS Centre waiting for a major league partner. Source

PJ Stock on the Team 990 in Montreal is reporting that he heard a "trade idea" from an email involving a trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. The trade would involve an exchange of Michael Ryder, Andrei Kostitsyn and Jaroslav Halak for Brad Richards and Andre Roy. Richards has a NTC.

Maxime Ouellet has signed a four week pro tryout contract with Red Bull Salzburg in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in Austria. Ouellet signed a minor league contract with the New York Islanders earlier this summer. Source

Gilmour to try coaching

According to Sportsnet, Doug Gilmour will move into a coaching position with the Maple Leafs organization. What exactly his position will be is unclear, but he will help coach the AHL affiliate Marlies, as well as help Team Canada in the Spengler Cup. Somewhere in Canada, Don Cherry is smiling. Source

The Florida Panthers have signed Noah Welch to a two year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Welch played in 24 games in 2006-2007, splitting between Pittsburgh and Florida. Welch was acquired from the Penguins in the Gary Roberts deal. Source

Patrick Stefan will remain at Bern. His out clause expired September 11, and there was speculation that he was negotiating with Phoenix. Source

More camp invitees: Adam Hall - Penguins, Mike Morrison and Maxime Ouellet - Islanders.