NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 29, 2008

Marty York of Metro News is reporting rumors that the Edmonton Oilers are trying to trade a goaltender for a "hard-nosed forward. or two." York quotes two NHL sources that the Oilers are dangling one of their three goalies as trade bait. The Oilers currently have Dwayne Roloson, Mathieu Garon and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers on their roster. Brochu's take: I doubt that the Oilers are shopping Garon or Drouin-Deslauriers, but they have been shopping Roloson for a long time. Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed defenseman Ken Klee off re-entry waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks will pick up half of Klee's salary.

The Florida Panthers have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore to a one-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Konstantin Pushkarev has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian KHL. The Dallas Stars released Pushkarev earlier this month.

Russian sources are reporting that the Colorado Avalanche may be interested in signing goaltender Ray Emery once the KHL season is over. Brochu's take: There may be better goalies available next summer.

Poll Results:

Should the NHL expand to Europe?

Yes	14 (10%)
No	114 (82%)
Who cares?	10 (7%)

Total votes: 138

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!!

More outdoor games coming?

With the Winter Classic going on today in Buffalo, there has been talk that outdoor games could become a fixture in the NHL schedule. "It's something we're going to look at doing more of," said Bill Daly, the NHL's deputy commissioner. "I wouldn't say we'd do an outdoor game every year. But it could become a semi-regular event. It's a little early to make those predictions. But it's a pretty interesting event." Source

The Globe and Mail is also reporting that there are rumors that the Ottawa Senators are looking to play an outdoor game on the Rideau Canal in front of temporary bleachers. The Montreal Canadiens are also looking to play their NHL All-Star game in 2008-2009 outdoors, possibly on the St. Lawrence river. Source

According to the Hurricanes blog on WRAL.com, Carolina could be targeting two defenseman: Marek Zidlicky of the Nashville Predators and Joe Corvo of the Ottawa Senators. Source

Konstantin Pushkarev has mysteriously rejoined the Iowa Stars of the AHL. Pushkarev had left the Dallas Stars organization in November to return home to Russia.

Happy New Year to all my readers!

Conroy, Yelle for Holik?

Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated is suggesting that both Craig Conroy and Stephane Yelle of the Calgary Flames could be available. Muir saids Calgary wants scoring and is willing to take a veteran forward with leadership experience and a winning background, someone like Bobby Holik of the Atlanta Thrashers. Sports Illustrated

On Saturday's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast on CBC, a segment called "Hot Stove" discussed various rumours around the league. The segment involved a panel of Al Strachan, Eric Duhatschek and Scott Morrison. These are the topics they discussed:

Strachan believes that if GM John Ferguson Jr. is let go at the end of the season, the Maple Leafs would consider TSN analyst Glenn Healey for the GM job.

Strachan also suggested that the Vancouver Canucks would pick up Richard Matvichuk if he was called up on re-entry waivers. The New Jersey Devils may also try to work out a trade.

Duhatschek suggests that with the Montreal Canadiens' 100th anniversary as an organization occuring in 2009, the All-Star game could be played outdoors. Montreal may also be getting the NHL entry draft and awards show the same year. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Yanick Le-who? Yanick Lehoux has been suspended by the San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes affiliate) of the AHL. Lehoux left the team to sign with Russian club Khimik Mytischy. Source

Konstantin Pushkarev has left the Dallas Stars affiliate in Iowa to return home to Russia. He is believed to have signed a $1 million contract to play with CSKA Moskva (Moscow). This is the second player in two weeks that has left the Dallas organization, as Vadim Khomitski left in October. Source

Expect more of these signings in the future, as there is still no transfer agreement between the NHL and Russia.