NHL and Hockey Rumors for February 15. 2013

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired goalie Dustin Tokarski from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goalie Cedrick Desjardins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded forward Eric Tangradi to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 7th round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The New Jersey Devils have acquired forward Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 7th round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and a 4th round pick in the 2014 Draft.

Forward Andrew Brunette has retired from the NHL and has joined the Minnesota Wild in their hockey operations department.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have hired Jarmo Kekalainen as their new General Manager.  Kekalainen becomes the first European GM in the NHL.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 12, 2009

Here's the latest rumour update from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

The Edmonton Oilers are interested in Ottawa Senators forward Mike Fisher. GM Steve Tambellini would really like to add the hard-nosed player. Brochu's take: Fisher hasn't produced as his salary should indicate. I doubt the Oilers would want to add a long term contract like that.

The Oilers are, according to "league sources", still mildly interested in Jason Spezza.

The Senators, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings are interested in acquiring Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle.

Garrioch also believes there will be interest in Leafs forwards Nik Antropov, Matt Stajan, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Dominic Moore.

Garrioch also believes that the Columbus Blue Jackets would "love" Jason Spezza. He also adds that the BJs are trying to move defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

Garrioch reported in his blog that the Sens are looking to put goaltender Martin Gerber on waivers in the next few days. Brochu's take: Could this be GM Bryan Murray's last ditch effort to shake up his team? He certainly hasn't been able to do it with trades.

The Columbus Blue Jackets blog "Puck-rakers" on the Columbus Dispatch website is reporting that the Vancouver Canucks are expected to trade goaltender Curtis Sanford, and the Jackets are interested. It's also reported that the Dallas Stars could be another possible destination. Brochu's take: The Canucks do have to make a roster spot with the impending return of Roberto Luongo. The BJs have an abundance of draft picks that could be used to acquire Sanford.

The Phoenix Coyotes have placed forward Garth Murray on waivers.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 28, 2008

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that once Brian Burke is officially named the new president and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he will start shaping the team in his mode. The rumor is that defensemen Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina could be on the trading block, despite their no trade clauses. Alex Ponikarovsky and Nik Antropov are also believed to be considered trade bait. Brochu's take: There has been no "official" signing of Burke, yet. As for Burke, there is a widely reported (but wrong) notion that he likes to build a team with North Americans and not Europeans. Don't forget he made a trade during the 1999 NHL Entry Draft to draft the Sedins.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Forward Michal Birner has left the Anaheim Ducks organization and has signed with Pelicans Lahti of the Finnish SM-Liiga.

There are rumours from Sweden that Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Fredrik Norrena may be signing with Linkoping. Norrena is currently the odd man out in Columbus. Source

There's also a rumor that forward Mikael Renberg will come out of retirement and play with Swedish Elite League team Frolunda. Source

Daily Sundin rumor

The title is a bit of a joke. It seems whenever the Toronto Maple Leafs lose, the centre of the universe is saturated with rumours of every single person on the Leafs being shopped. The majority of the rumors are about centre Mats Sundin, who has consistently stated he does not want to be traded, and hasn't been asked to waive his no trade clause. Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons has thrown his hat in the ring (rink?), adding that the Leafs should listen to offers for Darcy Tucker, Jason Blake, Pavel Kubina, Mark Bell, Andrew Raycroft and Alexei Ponikarovsky. Source

Bob McKenzie has also jumped on the Sundin rumour mill, stating that he would probably get more back in a package than any player that was traded around last year's trade deadline.

Various sources have confirmed that the Carolina Hurricanes claimed Chicago Blackhawks forward Sergei Samsonov on re-entry waivers. The Canes will pick up half his salary.

GM Garth Snow attended the New York Islanders-Vancouver Canucks game. The Islanders are slowly falling out of the playoff race and could become sellers at the trade deadline. Could we see Miroslav Satan in a Canucks uniform come Feb 27?

Brochu's European round-up:

Defenseman Joe Rullier has been released from his pro tryout contract with the New York Islanders AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers and signed with the Kloten Flyers of the Nationalliga A in Switzerland.

Swedish reports have St. Louis defenseman Christian Backman headed to the Carolina Hurricanes. Source