NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 2, 2014

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman John-Michael Liles and defenseman Dennis Robertson to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Tim Gleason.  Brochu's take:  This was hinted by Darren Dreger yesterday.  A very even trade in terms of salary.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially re-signed defenseman Dion Phaneuf to a 7-year, $49 million contract extension.

The Calgary Flames have placed defenseman Christopher Breen on waivers.

The New York Rangers have placed forward Taylor Pyatt on waivers.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 29, 2013

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Mitchell Moroz to a three-year, entry level contract.  Moroz was the Oilers' 2nd round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs are close to re-signing defenseman Dion Phaneuf to a 7 year, $49 million contract extension.

Big trade day!

Only a massive trade day like today would awaken me from my blogging slumber! So to review:

The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenseman Ian White. Brochu's take: My philosophy is that the team that the best player goes to "wins" the trade, and in this case I would have to say Toronto gets the better end of the deal. Phaneuf is capable of much more, and he will get plenty of ice-time in T.O. Hagman/Stajan are good players, and I'm not sure how the Leafs will score from now on. Calgary gets a lot more offensive in this deal.

The Leafs have also acquired goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Jason Blake. Brochu's take: Toskala's contract, along with Blake's, were essentially dead weight. After the signing of Hiller, Giguere's contract was the same on the Ducks. I see this trade more of moving dead money around than actual players.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed goalie Jonas Hiller to a 4-year, $18 million contract extension. Brochu's take: Not a bad deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a contract. The Tampa Bay Lightning had terminated his contract when he didn't show up to his AHL assignment.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 30, 2009

** Hell of a time for Blogger to crap out on me! Look for my updates on the Twitter gadget on your right or find me on Twitter @Brochuishockey ***

According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, there's a rumor that the Calgary Flames will trade defenseman Dion Phaneuf to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Dany Heatley. Brochu's take: I think Phaneuf is staying in Calgary, since his old coach Brent Sutter is there now. Source

Spector is also saying that the Edmonton Oilers are considering sending defenseman Sheldon Souray to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for blueliner Jack Johnson, and a few "other pieces." Brochu's take: Souray's been rumored to want out of Edmonton, but I think he actually enjoys playing there. I don't think GM Steve Tambellini would want someone of Johnson's questionable character traits on his team.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Bill Guerin to a one-year, $2 million contract extension.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forwards Mike Weaver and Brad Winchester to one-year, $800,000 contracts.

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed goalie Peter Budaj to a one-year contract.

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed defenseman Rob Blake to a one-year, $3.5 million contract extension. Source

Possible Heatley destinations

Here's my list of possible destinations for Dany Heatley, in order of probability:

1. Edmonton

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray loves Dustin Penner, and this could be the best opportunity to unload the under-performing forward. Penner alone won't make the deal happen, so the Oilers would have to give up either Sam Gagner or Andrew Cogliano and picks to get Heatley. Heatley has also good relations with Hockey Canada and Edmonton management personnel such as Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini.

2. Calgary

Heatley was raised in Calgary, so that's one reason. Pay no attention to those ridiculous Dion Phaneuf proposals, but the Flames would have to unload one of their high price contracts in order to fit him in their salary cap.

3. Los Angeles

They have lots of salary cap space, and lots of young assets to trade, such as Alexander Frolov. But the problem is Heatley going to waive his no-movement clause to a team that isn't quite Stanley Cup material?

4. St. Louis

They're looking to make a big splash on the free agent market, but getting Heatley would just be as good. They have a lot of good, young players and plenty of cap space.

5. Vancouver

It's looking unlikely that the Sedin twins will re-sign, so that frees up two top-6 spots and lots of salary cap space. However, the Canucks lack tradeable young assets. Heatley does own an off-season home in Kelowna, BC but I think that's not a huge factor.

Wildcard: Tampa Bay

The only way this would work is a straight Heatley for Lecavalier deal, which would offset each other's big salary cap hit. However, I wouldn't put anything pass Oren Koules and Len Barrie.

Phaneuf, Chimera extensions, waiver news

The Calgary Flames and defenseman Dion Phaneuf have agreed to a six-year, $39 million contract extension. Sources tell TSN that the deal will average $6.5 million US a season. Phaneuf will make $7.5 million in the first year, followed by $6.5 million in year two, $7 million in the third season, $6.5 million in each of the following two years and $5.5 million in the final season. Source

The Columbus Blue Jackets and forward Jason Chimera have agreed to a four-year, $7.5 million contract extension. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed defenseman Andy Wozniewski on waivers.

The LA Kings brought up goalie Dan Cloutier on re-entry waivers and put J.S. Aubin on waivers.

Ruutu on the block, Phaneuf signs?

The Chicago Daily Herald is reporting that centre Tuomo Ruutu could be attractive to many teams at the trade deadline. Ruutu could use a change of scenery and many teams would be interested in a gritty, offensive centreman. Source

There are rumors that the Calgary Flames have signed defenseman Dion Phaneuf to a 6 year, $39 million contract extension. Nothing official has been confirmed, but there is speculation that the contract contains a no trade clause that will kick in in the 5th year of the contract.

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting on his blog that the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers have been talking about trading Olli Jokinen, but the Panthers want Alex Tanguay and a young player or prospect.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward David Gove from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Joe Jensen. Source

Various sources are reporting that the Nashville Predators have signed forward Jordin Tootoo to a two year, $1.95 million contract extension. There are also rumours that J.P. Dumont has been signed to a 4 year, $16 million contract extension.

Jeff O'Neill has been practicing with the OHL Barrie Colts and could be signing with a team this year. While he didn’t say whether there were currently any NHL clubs beating a path to his door, he feels something may happen soon. “I’m just going to skate here maybe until the (Feb. 28 NHL trade) deadline, and maybe a decision will come then,” O’Neill said. Source

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

Tanguay waives his NTC?

Many GMs around the league are scouting other teams these days, perhaps having closer looks on players that they may want to acquire. Here are some of them:

Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter has been on a scouting trip that has seen him cover the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers.

According to Pierre McGuire of TSN, forward Alex Tanguay has agreed to waive his no trade clause. Rumours continue to swirl where Tanguay will end up, with Montreal and Florida being very likely destinations.

Dallas Stars co-GM Les Jackson will be in attendance at tomorrow's New York Rangers-Boston Bruins game, and it was recently reported that the Stars are considering "upgrading the herd." No trade is imminent, but both Jackson and other co-GM Brett Hull are eager to leave their stamp on the team. Source

The Team 1200 in Ottawa is reporting that several Columbus Blue Jackets scouts were watching the Ottawa Senators-Carolina Hurricanes game Thursday.

Marty York of the Metro News is reporting the Calgary Flames and defenseman Dion Phaneuf are close to a 10 year, $63 million contract extension. Source

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Duvie Westcott has been placed on waivers.

Big rumour update

There are lots of trade rumors going around today, most of them from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

The Nashville Predators could look to move centre Jason Arnott.

The LA Kings are shopping defenseman Tom Preissing. The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes are interested. Garrioch also adds that Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is looking for another blueliner to help out Zdeno Chara. The New York Rangers are also shopping Paul Mara, and Garrioch believes that he would be a good fit in Boston because he is an ex-Bruin.

If the Edmonton Oilers don't re-sign defenseman Joni Pitkanen, there is "strong belief" that he could be moved by the trade deadline.

The Philadelphia Flyers are not happy with Steve Downie and could use him as tradebait.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in goaltender Ray Emery. Emery rumours continue to fly around the league.

The Ottawa Senators are still looking to move defenseman Joe Corvo.

Extension/Contract news, also from Garrioch:

Garrioch claims that sources tell him that Washington Capitals GM George McPhee "insulted" Alexander Ovechkin by offering a five-year, $37.5 million deal. Ovechkin rejected the offer and is believed to be seeking a $9-10 million a year contract.

Citing NHL agents, Garrioch claims Dion Phaneuf has turned down a 5 year, $30 million contract extension from the Calgary Flames. Phaneuf will become a RFA this summer.

Phaneuf, Ovechkin reject extensions, Roloson shopped?

Marty York of Metro News is reporting that Dion Phaneuf and Alexander Ovechkin have rejected contract extension proposals from the Calgary Flames and Washington Capitals, respectively. Both players are due to be RFA next summer and could receive lucrative offer sheets from other teams. The Caps offered Ovechkin a five-year pact similar to the deal the Pittsburgh Penguins gave Sidney Crosby ($8.7 million a season), but the sniper is demanding between $9 and $10 million a year. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have called up goaltender Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers from their AHL farm team in Springfield. Both Mathieu Garon and Dwayne Roloson are healthy. This has led to internet trade rumors that Roloson may be on his way out. Source

The Dallas Stars have fired GM Doug Armstrong and appointed Brett Hull and Les Jackson as interim co-general managers. Stars owner Tom Hicks has said that changes needed to be made.

Anaheim Ducks defenceman Maxim Kondratiev has returned to Russia after refusing assignment to the Portland Pirates of the AHL. It is expected that he will play with SKA St. Petersburg in the Russian Super League.

The Florida Panthers have claimed Garth Murray off re-entry waivers from the Montreal Canadiens.

Bruce Garrioch's Sunday rumours

These rumours are courtesy of Ottawa Sun columnist, Bruce Garrioch:

Dion Phaneuf may be close to signing a long term contract extension with the Calgary Flames. Phaneuf's agent Don Meehan was in Calgary recently to discuss a possible extension for his client.

The Capitals are having trouble negotiating with restricted free-agent Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin fired Meehan and has hired a lawyer to be his advisor. Sources say the Caps were confident they'd be able to get something done with Meehan, but are having issues since Ovechkin, who's making $1.3 million, decided to take over his own negotiations. It's believed the Caps are willing to offer a deal similar to the five-year contract that will pay Sidney Crosby $8.7 million per season starting next year. It's believed Ovechkin's camp, which includes his mother Tatiana, is looking for a bigger deal, in the $9-to-10 million range. This could get interesting because somebody would most certainly give Ovechkin an offer as a restricted free agent on July 1.

Teemu Selanne was a visitor to the Duck's dressing room on Friday at the game between Anaheim and San Jose. He may be getting close to returning to the NHL.

There is talk the Chicago Blackhawks could move either Martin Lapointe or Sergei Samsonov. Samsonov has been a healthy scratch lately.

The Thrashers, Senators, Panthers, Kings and Canucks have all shown interest in impending UFA Glen Murray.

If Scott Niedermayer returns, Garrioch believes that Mathieu Schneider could be traded. He adds that Vancouver, Edmonton, Colorado and Atlanta are interested.