European free agent rumor update for July 4, 2008

This is the big version of Brochu's European rumor roundup, a regular feature on this blog.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are close to signing Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren. Frogren plays with Farjestads BK, and also played for Sweden at the IIHF world championship in Quebec and Halifax this past spring. Source

New York Islanders forward Josef Vasicek has signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League (KHL). Source

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist. Tjarnqvist spent last season with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Nashville Predators forward Matt Ellison has signed with Dinamo Riga in Latvia.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Marcel Hossa has also signed with Dinamo Riga. Source

Philadelphia Flyers forward Stefan Ruzicka has signed a contract with Spartak Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Dwight Helminen to a one-year, two-way contract. Helminen spent last season with JYP in the SM-Liiga.

There are also rumors that San Jose Sharks defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh could be signing with Dinamo Riga as well. Source

Ozolinsh signs with San Jose

The San Jose Sharks have signed defenceman Sandis Ozolinsh to a one-year contract worth $625,000. Source

Pierre McGuire of TSN was on the Team 1040 in Vancouver and speculated that the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Atlanta Thrashers are among the most likely to make a move in the near future. The Canucks are most likely shopping for a defenseman with Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo out indefinitely.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Nolan Pratt to a one-year, $550,000 deal. Source

Poll Results:

Which team has been the most surprising?

Minnesota	31 (33%)
Ottawa	3 (3%)
Atlanta	24 (25%)
Philadelphia	31 (33%)
Other	4 (4%)

Votes so far: 93

McCabe to Oilers?

According to a source in Toronto, Oilers Vice-President of Hockey Operations Kevin Pendergast has been to at least two Maple Leafs games recently, and several scouts have been spotted at the games. The Oilers do not play the Leafs this year. It's been speculated that they were having a close look at Bryan McCabe. There is talk of a deal involving Jarret Stoll and Ladislav Smid.

Petr Cajanek looks to be signing in Russia. It's rumoured that he is close to a deal with HC CSKA Moscow. Source

Sandis Ozolinsh has been signed to a professional try out contract with the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate team, the Worcester Sharks. Also, according to the San Jose Mercury News blog, a San Jose scout was at a Florida-Montreal game Tuesday night and has led to speculation because the Sharks don’t play the Canadiens until March and don’t play Florida this year. Source

Ozolinsh invited to Sharks camp

Sandis Ozolinsh has been invited to the San Jose Sharks training camp on a try-out basis. Ozolinsh played for the New York Rangers last season, but only had 3 assists in 21 games. Ozolinsh has been dealing with substance abuse problems, but feels healthy. “I have a lot of good memories here and I’m excited to be here,” said Ozolinsh. "I really hope to make this team." Source

According to TSN, Anson Carter has been invited to the Oilers training camp.

Vancouver Canucks fans got a few injury shocks today. Roberto Luongo got a high slapshot to the collarbone/throat, Sami Salo could have a possible broken wrist and Trevor Linden has a pulled groin.