NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 29, 2008

Brian Burke has been officially announced as the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is a six year contract, believed to be in the $18 million range. Highlights from his press conference are:

-Cliff Fletcher is to remain as a consultant.

-He won't make trades before the Christmas trade freeze, and has a personal deadline of 10 days before that, which means he won't make any trades until the new year.

-One of his first priorities will be to make the team tougher, which could mean acquiring an enforcer.

-No mention of Dave Nonis, who has been rumored to be named the vice-president and director of hockey personnel.

-Burke tried to acquire Mikhail Grabovski from the Montreal Canadiens while he was the GM of the Anaheim Ducks.

-From his discussions with Mats Sundin, he doesn't believe the Leafs fit the profile that Sundin has stated.

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Bryan Helmer to an NHL contract. Helmer had been playing with the Caps AHL affiliate, Hershey Bears.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Luke Richardson has retired from the NHL. Richardson cleared waivers on Friday and will take a job within the Sens organization.

The New York Islanders have placed defenseman Thomas Pock on waivers.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 27, 2008

The Florida Panthers have traded forward/defenseman Wade Belak to the Nashville Predators for forward Nick Tarnasky.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have put Andrew Hutchinson and Jason Ward on re-entry waivers on Thursday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets placed forward Kirill Starkov on waivers Wednesday. He has cleared.

The Ottawa Senators have placed defenseman Luke Richardson on waivers.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 11, 2008

According to the Inside the Kings blog from the Los Angeles Daily News, the Kings may be shopping Brad Richardson or John Zeiler due to roster inflexibility. The two players are currently on one-way contracts and have been healthy scratches for most of the season. This also explained why the Kings did not pick up Buffalo Sabres forward Matt Ellis on waivers, even if they were interested. Brochu's take: I had reported that the Kings picked up Ellis on waivers, sorry about that. Ellis has cleared and has been sent to Buffalo's AHL affiliate. Source

The Colorado Avalanche has terminated the contract of forward Scott Parker for insubordination. Parker refused an assignment to the Av's AHL affliate Lake Erie Monsters and now is an unrestricted free agent. Brochu's take: He's not going to get much interest, especially with this kind of "insubordination." Source

According to the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website, Ottawa Senators scout Nick Polano has been at every Blue Jackets home game this season. Aaron Portzline dismisses the Jason Spezza rumors, however he notes that an asking price of Nikita Filatov and a no.1 draft pick would "start the conversation." Brochu's take: An interesting tidbit about that Sens scout. I wonder who he's looking at, considering Filatov is in the AHL right now. Source

The Colorado Avalanche have placed forward Jesse Boulerice on waivers.

The Detroit Red Wings have placed forward Aaron Downey on waivers, according to the TSN ticker. Brochu's take: I think this is the second time this season.

Weekend rumor roundup Sept 27-28, 2008

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed defenseman Luke Richardson to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Teemu Selanne to a two-year, $5.25 million contract. However, the club is still around $1.2 million above the salary cap. Brochu's take: More moves may be on the way. Stay tuned.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, there are "whispers" that the Ottawa Senators are interested in Vancouver Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund. Brochu's take: First, remember that Garrioch started the Ohlund rumors a few weeks ago. Ohlund also has a no trade clause. Source

Marty York of Metro News is reporting that the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a quality defenseman and are dangling goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Brochu's take: Roloson rumors are bound to pop up all season, as he is expected to be traded. Source

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

After being released by the New York Rangers, Petr Nedved will play for his hometown team, HC Bili Tygri Liberec of the Czech Extraliga.

Los Angeles Kings forward Petr Kanko has signed with HC Ocelari Trinec in the Czech Republic for the 2008-2009 season.

NHL and hockey rumors for Sept 16, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Matt Murley to a one-year contract.

The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Brad Richardson to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Free agent defenseman Nolan Pratt is close to signing a deal with a KHL team. Pratt was close to signing a deal in Russia last November, but the Buffalo Sabres came calling. Pratt has not received any offers from NHL teams this summer. Source

Defenseman Mark Popovic has signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. Source

According to a recent interview, Alexei Yashin has received some offers from NHL teams, but deems the offers to be too low. It's believed that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Atlanta Thrashers were among the teams making offers. Brochu's take: Yashin is probably better off playing in Russia, if he thinks he can get a better offer in North America. Source

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos is reporting rumors that both free agents Mats Sundin and Teemu Selanne have received lucrative offers from KHL teams, but both want to remain in the NHL, if they decide to continue playing hockey. It's believed that the Anaheim Ducks are still trying to make moves to fit Selanne under their cap.

NHL and hockey rumors for Sept 12, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes and forward Eric Staal have agreed to a seven-year, $57.75 million contract extension. The deal works out to a $8.25 million cap hit per year.

The Detroit Red Wings and forward Henrik Zetterberg have started negotiations on a long-term contract extension. The forward could easily a $9 million a year salary if he reaches the open market. Source

There are rumors that the Vancouver Canucks could be shopping defenseman Lukas Krajicek.

Defenseman Luke Richardson has been invited to the Ottawa Senators training camp on a try-out contract. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Calgary Flames forward Marcus Nilson has joined CSKA Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL. Details still have to be ironed out, but Nilson has already practised with the team and both sides are negotiating his release from Calgary's contract. Source

According to NHLPA director Paul Kelly on the 640 AM radio in Toronto, Alexander Radulov wants to leave the KHL, despite only a few games in. Kelly "has extremely good authority" that Radulov wants to return to the NHL and the Nashville Predators. Brochu's take: Another interesting twist to the Radulov saga. Radulov had burned his bridges when he was officially suspended by the Preds, but would the team have him back?

NHL and hockey rumors for June 23, 2008

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the San Jose Sharks might be willing to deal forward Milan Michalek.

TSN is reporting that New York Rangers forward Sean Avery is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Rumor has it that Marian Hossa has turned down the 7 year, $50 million contract offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins and will test free agency on July 1.

The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Brad Richardson to the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft.

The Phoenix Coyotes traded Pittsburgh’s third-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft (90th overall, previously acquired) to the NY Rangers for defenseman Alex Bourret.

For a list of minor draft trades, here's the link.

Poll Results:

Who will most likely get an offer sheet?

Jeff Carter	71 (23%)
Jay Bouwmeester	58 (18%)
Mike Green	66 (21%)
Corey Perry	75 (24%)
Shea Weber	28 (9%)
Other	9 (2%)

Total Votes: 307

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!

Lightning and Rangers to play in Sweden?

According to expressen.se, NHLPA chief Paul Kelly has confirmed that an NHL game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers will be played in Sweden for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. The event will be held in the Globen arena in Stockholm, which will also be host to a game between the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. Source

A Sportsnet article, citing the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch, is reporting that seven teams have inquired about Boston Bruins forward Glen Murray. These seven teams are the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks. Source

The Colorado Avalanche have sent forward Brad Richardson to the minors, and maybe finished with the Avalanche organization. There are rumors that he could be used as trade bait to bring in some scoring to the Avs lineup, which has suffered some serious injuries. Source