Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 9, 2010

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed free agent forward Nigel Dawes to a one-year, $600,000 contract. It is a two-way contract.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed free agent forward Ryan Potulny to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Cody Franson to a two-year, $1.6 million contract. Brochu's take: The two-year deal for restricted free agents seems to be the norm. Expect other NHL teams to sign their RFAs to two-year deals as well.

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed forward Kirk Maltby to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Wings have also placed defenseman Derek Meech on waivers.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that free agent forward Richard Park has signed a multi-year deal to play in Switzerland. Sources are saying he has signed for Genève-Servette HC or Rapperswil-Jona Lakers. Source

Hockey and NHL rumors for July 30, 2009

The Tampa Bay Lightning are buying out the rest of forward Vaclav Prospal's contract. He has 3 years at $3.5 million per year left on his deal, which means a 6-year cap hit of $1.167 million if his contract is bought out. Brochu's take: Good to see TB management is back at making stupid hockey decisions. Prospal is a decent point producer for his salary. Having that dead cap space for that long is not a good idea for any team.

The Minnesota Wild have re-signed goalie Josh Harding to a 1-year, $1.1 million contract. Brochu's take: I expect Harding will be traded in 2009-2010.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Josh Gratton and defenseman Michael Vernace to one-year deals.

The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Jack Hillen to a two-year, $1.4 million deal.

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed forwards Liam Reddox and Ryan Potulny to one-year deals.

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed forward Scottie Upshall to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. The 'Yotes have also re-signed goalie Josh Tordjman to a one-year deal.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed goalie Dan LaCosta to a one-year dea.

The Ottawa Senators have signed Derek Smith to a one-year contract.

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 2, 2008

Marty York of Metro News is reporting that "both the Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators have informed Minnesota Wild officials that they’d be willing and eager to take Marian Gaborik off their hands in a trade if they can’t sign the high-scoring winger to a new contract." Brochu's take: The likelihood of the Wild trading Gaborik to a division rival is remote. However, Gaborik rumors will continue to spread until he signs a contract extension. Source

According to the Boston Herald and other Boston sources, forward Marc Savard could be on his way out of Boston, as the Bruins want to deal him for a puck-moving defenseman. Brochu's take: There's that pesky no trade clause, but Savard would have no shortage of suitors. Source

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded the rights to unsigned draft pick, Michal Sersen to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Tampa Bay’s fifth-round pick at the 2009 Entry Draft.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Luca Sbisa to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Buffalo Sabres have claimed forward Matt Ellis off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Dan Gendur to an entry-level contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes have placed defenseman Ryan Lannon and centre Mike Zigomanis on waivers.

The Edmonton Oilers have placed forwards Ryan Potulny and Carl Corazzini on waivers.

Hossa offered 7 year, $50 million?

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Pittsburgh Penguins have offered Marian Hossa a 7 year, $50 million contract, and are waiting for his answer. It's believed the Penguins have made signing Hossa their top offseason priority.

The same Puck-rakers blog is speculating if Hossa is signed, the Columbus Blue Jackets will "swoop in" and trade for forward Ryan Malone's rights. The Jackets are rumored to be offering Dan Fritsche or a second/third round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry draft. Source

Various sources are saying the Pens are also close to re-signing Evgeni Malkin to a new contract extension. Rumors are that it will be a 5 or 6 year deal, perhaps less than what Sidney Crosby is getting.

The Penguins have also filed salary arbitration for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. This will prevent rival teams from sending offer sheets for Fleury.

TSN is reporting that Montreal Canadiens goalie Yann Danis will not return with the team, and will test free agency. Rumors are that the Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings are interested in the young netminder.

In a Sportsnet interview, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed that goalie Ray Emery will not be back with the team, and could be bought out in the next 48 hours. He also stated that it was unlikely that Wade Redden will remain with the Sens, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Ryan Potulny to a one-year deal.

Peter DeBoer has been named the head coach of the Florida Panthers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Trevor Gillies to a one-year contract. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for June 7, 2008

The Edmonton Oilers have traded defenseman Danny Syvret to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Ryan Potulny. Brochu's take: Good move by both teams. Syvret would have been a 7th or 8th best defenseman in Edmonton, while Potulny will be given a chance to make the NHL roster instead of playing in the AHL. Could this mean that Jarret Stoll will be moved this summer? Source

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, Senators defenseman Wade Redden is getting ready to shop himself on the unrestricted free agent market. Sources are saying that Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin will make a big run for the blueliner, while other teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks are interested. Brochu's take: You can forget the Canucks, Predators, Flyers and Leafs, for they all have more than decent options in the back end. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free agent forward Tim Stapleton. Stapleton has played for Jokerit in the SM-Liiga in Finland for the past 2 years. Source

The Raleigh News and Observer reports that Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bret Hedican does not plan to return to the club next season, as he and his wife, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, are moving to Northern California. Hedican will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st.

The 'Canes have also signed goaltender Daniel Manzato to a one-year deal.