NHL and hockey rumors for Aug 9, 2008

The National Post is reporting that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher is waiting for a list of teams that defenseman Bryan McCabe is willing to waive his no trade clause for. Fletcher has stated that McCabe has "softened his stance". Source

The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Teppo Numminen and forward Tyler Bouck to one-year contracts.

The Calgary Flames have re-signed forward Cam Cunning.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed center Pascal Pelletier to a one-year contract.

The Florida Panthers have signed forward Janis Sprukts to a two-year contract. Sprukts spent last season with Finnish team Lukko.

The Carolina Hurricanes have invited forward Jeff O'Neill to a try-out contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed forward Adam Perry to a contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Vancouver Canucks forward Byron Ritchie has signed with Swiss Nationalliga A club Geneve-Servette for the 2008-2009 season.

NHL and hockey rumors for June 13, 2008

According to TSN, Craig Hartsburg will be introduced as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators on Friday. The Sault Star is reporting that the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds coach met with Sens owner Eugene Melnyk on Thursday and agreed to a 3 year deal. Kitchener Rangers' coach Peter DeBoer met Melnyk in Barbados Wednesday, but could not come to terms. Brochu's take: I'm not sure if Hartsburg is the right guy in Ottawa, but at least they have someone. Source

There are unconfirmed rumors that the Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed goaltender Johan Hedberg to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Swedish club Timrå has an interest in Vancouver Canucks forward Byron Ritchie. In an interview with Dagbladet, Timra IK sport chief Stefan Lindqvist has approached Ritchie's agent about playing in Sweden. Source

According to Aftonbladet, the Colorado Avalanche have signed Swedish free agent forward Per Ledin to a one-year, $600,000 contract. Source

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jay Harrison has signed with EV Zug of the Swiss Nationalliga A for the 2008-2009 season. Source

There are rumors that KHL club Vityaz Poldolsk/Chekhov has made an approach for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Derrick Walser. Source

Bernier available, Canucks to sell?

According to The Province columnist Ed Willes, the Vancouver Canucks "would be better off selling rather than buying at the trade deadline." Willes believes that forwards Markus Naslund, Byron Ritchie, Matt Cooke and defenseman Aaron Miller could fetch a return. Source

The Edmonton Journal believes that San Jose Sharks forward Steve Bernier could be shopped to bring a defenseman at the trade deadline. Source

Scouts from three teams were at the Phoenix Coyotes-Dallas Stars game Monday night. The Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers were represented. Joe Nieuwendyk is serving as Florida's scout. Source

There are rumors that Calgary Flames prospect Dan Ryder may be returning to the organization soon. Ryder, brother of Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Ryder, left the Quad City Flames (Flames AHL affiliate) earlier this year under mysterious circumstances. Source

The Dallas Stars have signed forward Krys Barch to a two-year, $1.15 million contract extension.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed minor-league defenseman Deryk Engelland to a two-year contract extension.

Look for my European round-up sometime this week; there's quite a lot of rumors from Europe in the past few days.