Hockey Rumors for Feb 2, 2010

Happy Groundhog Day!

The Calgary Flames have traded forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the New York Rangers in exchange for forwards Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins. Brochu's take: This trade has been rumored for 24 hours, and it was believed that Kotalik's no trade clause was holding it up. The Flames wanted Jokinen in the lineup tonight, for some odd reason.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Nick Boynton on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed forward Trevor Gillies on waivers.

According to the Team 1040 in Vancouver, there is a rumor that the Vancouver Canucks are interested in acquiring Scott Niedermayer from the Anaheim Ducks. There is speculation that he wants to spend his last season in the NHL closer to home. Several Ducks' scouts were spotted at the last Toronto-Vancouver game.

Prust for Vandermeer, Lepisto to Phoenix

The Calgary Flames have traded defenseman Jim Vandermeer to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Brandon Prust.

The Washington Capitals have traded defenseman Sami Lepisto to the Phoenix Coyotes for a 5th rounder in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded goalie Chad Johnson to the New York Rangers in exchange for a 5th round pick.

The Los Angeles Kings have traded forward Brian Boyle to the New York Rangers in exchange for a 3rd round pick in 2010.

Trade deadline wrap-up, Part 1

Here's part 1 of the NHL Trade Deadline wrap-up:

The Calgary Flames have acquired Olli Jokinen and a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from the the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Matthew Lombardi, forward Brandon Prust and a conditional first round draft pick. The draft pick heading to the Coyotes will either be in the upcoming NHL entry draft or the 2010 draft, at Calgary's option. Brochu's take: The Flames are really making a run for it, and Jokinen should shore up their centre depth. It's a lot to give up for him, but Jokinen does have one more year on his contract.

The Flames also acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Lawrence Nycholat, prospect Ryan Wilson and a 2nd round pick in 2009. Brochu's take: With the injury to Mark Giordano, the Flames needed another defenseman. With Leopold in the fold, he should make a strong defensive core even stronger. Again, it's a big price to pay for a pending UFA.

The Flames also traded goalie Kevin Lalande to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fourth-round draft pick in 2009.

The Ottawa Senators have traded forward Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goalie Pascal Leclaire and a 2nd-round pick in 2009. Brochu's take: This trade has been rumored for a few days now. If Leclaire can regain his form from a year ago, this could become a steal for the Sens. Vermette should help the centre depth on the BJs, but I really don't see him as a top 6 forward.

The Phoenix Coyotes also traded defenseman Derek Morris to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Dmitri Kalinin and forwards Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha. Brochu's take: Don Maloney's role as ex-assistant GM of the Rangers comes into play again. I think the Coyotes get the better deal, as Dawes and Prucha are good young players, while Kalinin provides veteran depth. Morris has been rumored to multiple teams, but his price has been driven up by the lack of quality defenseman available.

Columbus signs Huselius, other signings

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Kristian Huselius to a four-year, $19 million contract. Brochu's take: A somewhat decent deal, as Huselius was amongst the better wingers left in the free agency market.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Nolan Baumgartner to a one-year, two-way contract. The Canucks have also signed forward Alexander Bolduc and re-signed goalie Curtis Sanford.

The Calgary Flames have re-signed left wing Brandon Prust and right wing David Van Der Gulik, and also signed defensemen Mark Giordano and Ryan Wilson.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Randy Jones to a two-year contract and forward Riley Cote to a three-year deal.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed left wing Ryan Bayda and defensemen Wade Brookbank on one-year contracts and defenseman Tim Conboy on a two-year contract.

The Minnesota Wild have re-signed defenseman Kurtis Foster to a one-year deal.