NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 12, 2009

According to the New York Post, NHL general managers have given their approval to the Rangers' request for a compensatory pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in the wake of the death of 2007 first-round selection Alexei Cherepanov. Brochu's take: While technically in the CBA, (teams unable to sign their first round picks get a pick anyways) the way that this whole thing went down seemed a bit sketchy. Source

TSN's Ice Chips is reporting that Nashville Predators general manager David Poile left the door open for a possible return to the team by Alexander Radulov. Radulov's team in the KHL was eliminated from the playoffs earlier this week. Radulov has one year remaining on his contract with Nashville and would not need to clear waivers to rejoin the team. Brochu's take: I doubt it. Both sides haven't talked to each other in months, and by all accounts, Radulov is happy in Russia. Source

Miroslav Satan's future is still unclear. He's been demoted by the Pittsburgh Penguins to their AHL affiliate, but has not asked him to report. There's a possibility that the Pens could call Satan up on re-entry waivers, but the team can't fit him under their salary cap. An annoucement is expected tomorrow. Brochu's take: A suspension is possible if he doesn't report, in which case the Penguins don't have to pay his salary. Source

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that contract talks between GM Mike Gillis and the Sedin twins are at a standstill, and talks may be shut down until the end of the playoffs. Brochu's take: I think they will re-sign at slightly under market value. Despite some stupid GMs out there, it's hard to see if anyone is willing to shell out > $11 million for these two. Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gary Roberts has officially retired from the NHL.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 7, 2009

The Philadelphia Flyers have nullified the trade they made on March 4 for defenceman Kyle McLaren. The 31-year-old did not pass his physical, according to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren. McLaren had been sent to Philadelphia from San Jose in exchange for a sixth round pick at this year's draft. TSN is reporting that McLaren will be sent to the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. Brochu's take: I don't remember this happening in recent memory. It's strange that even though the transaction has been nullified, McLaren is still being sent to Philly's AHL affiliate. Source

Gary Roberts is expected to announce his retirement officially on Monday. The 42-year old cleared waivers on Wednesday and will not play another game for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season. Brochu's take: Roberts' has had a fantastic career, and to see him retire in the middle of the NHL season is not fitting for a warrior like him.

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Craig Schira to a three-year, entry-level contract. The blueliner has scored 16 goals and 39 assists in 65 games with the WHL Vancouver Giants. Source

Waiver Wackiness!

It seems half of the NHL was put on waivers today! But here's a wrap-up. I've left some off for a subsequent post.

The New York Rangers have claimed Sean Avery off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars.

The Calgary Flames have claimed defenseman Lawrence Nycholat off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.

The New York Rangers have also placed forwards Aaron Voros and defenseman Erik Reitz on waivers.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed forward Brendan Morrison on waivers.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Miroslav Satan on waivers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed forward Gary Roberts on waivers.

The Atlanta Thrashers have placed forward Eric Perrin on waivers.

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Craig Adams on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed forward Jon Sim on waivers.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 2, 2009

Bill Guerin's destination and status remains a hot topic in the NHL. As of Sunday night, no deal is done, but according to Darren Dreger of TSN, the "mystery" team is still waiting to sign off the deal. Guerin has already agreed to waive his no trade clause, and it appears an official announcement will come on Monday. Brochu's take: There's also the possibility the deal will fall through, but regardless, a decision will be expected on Monday.

Tim Sassone of the Chicago Herald believes that the Chicago Blackhawks were offering forward Jack Skille around the league in the hopes of landing a centre and a defenseman. The 'Hawks are also believed to be offering defensemen Cam Barker and James Wisniewski, if the right deal came along. Brochu's take: Barker's been on the block for most of this season. The Hawks are in a very similiar position as the Pittsburgh Penguins of last year, and may think a big trade will put them over the top. Source

Larry Brooks of the New York Post believes that Rangers forward Blair Betts is available and the Detroit Red Wings are interested. Source

The Columbus Dispatch blog "Puck-rakers" is reporting a rumor that the Ottawa Senators will trade forward Antoine Vermette to the Blue Jackets in exchange for goalie Pascal Leclaire. Writer Aaron Portzline believes that there's a 50-50 chance that Vermette will be traded. Brochu's take: This would be a good "hockey" trade, as the Sens need a goalie desperately and Vermette could be used as a second line centre. Source

Rumors continue to swirl that the Tampa Bay Lightning will trade Gary Roberts to the Calgary Flames. Roberts and teammate Mark Recchi have been made available by the Bolts. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for June 30, 2008

The Edmonton Oilers have traded forward Jarret Stoll and defenseman Matt Greene to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. Brochu's take: This could mean the end of Joni Pitkanen's stay in Edmonton, but there is still a small chance he will be re-signed. There are also rumors that the Ottawa Senators are looking to trade Antoine Vermette to the Oilers for the Finnish defenseman.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired the negotiating rights to forward Brian Rolston from the Minnesota Wild for a conditional pick in the 2009 or 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The pick will depend on if Tampa can re-sign Rolston to a contract.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract with Ryan Malone. Brochu's take: Some were saying Malone could get $5 million on the open market, so in some ways this is a bargain.

The Bolts have also signed Gary Roberts to a one-year, $1.25 million contract with performance incentives that could increase the salary to $2 million.

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed defenseman John-Michael Liles to a 4-year deal worth slightly over $4 million a year. The Avs also re-signed defenseman Adam Foote to a two-year, $6 million contract.

The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed defenseman Steve Eminger to a one-year deal.

Lightning acquire rights to Malone, Roberts

The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired the rights to left wings Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced. Brochu's take: When was the last time you heard a trade was announced by the owners? You can tell that Koules and Barrie will be very hands on with this franchise. **TSN is saying it is a fourth round pick** Source

The Atlanta Thrashers have put Alexei Zhitnik on waivers.

Both Todd Bertuzzi and Andrew Raycroft cleared waivers on Saturday and will be bought out by their respective teams. Bertuzzi has one year at $4 million left on his contract while Raycroft has one year at $2.2 million.

Prucha for Malholtra?

The New York Rangers continue to scout the Columbus Blue Jackets closely, as another scout was at Sunday's game. The Puck-rakers blog adds that the Rangers have dispatched scout Gilles Leger to some Blue Jackets’ games. Word is that the Rangers like Manny Malholtra. The Blue Jackets have been interested in Petr Prucha for a few years. Could a swap be imminent? Source

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik could be available. Orpik was recently scratched for two games by coach Michel Therrien. Brooks claims there are players on the Pens that have ill feelings towards Therrien. Jarkko Ruutu and Gary Roberts have reportedly asked for trades. Source

On CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast on Saturday night, Al Strachan mentioned that the Vancouver Canucks could be interested in three players on the Nashville Predators. Strachan, on the intermission program "Hotstove", reported that the Canucks should be looking at centres David Legwand, Jason Arnott and Radek Bonk. Legwand recently signed a long term extension with the Predators.

Marleau to Toronto?

The following rumours are from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. has inquired about Patrick Marleau. The San Jose Sharks are believed to be shopping him. Marleau's no-movement clause kicks in on Jan 1, 2008.

There are whispers the Ottawa Senators contacted the Pittsburgh Penguins about Gary Roberts or Colby Armstrong a month ago. The word is Pittsburgh wanted Antoine Vermette in return because the team is looking for a winger to play with Sidney Crosby. Pens GM Ray Shero believes Vermette could be a nice fit.

Jarret Stoll's name has been tossed around in the rumor mill, and it looks like the latest rumor has him sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Gilbert Brule. The Edmonton Oilers made Stoll a healthy scratch on Friday.

The Montreal Canadiens are "sniffing" around to see if there is a market for Cristobal Huet.

Marc Crawford's tenure as LA Kings head coach could be on thin ice. Rumour has it Kings GM Dean Lombardi is feeling pressure from ownership to get results and Crawford might not be the right fit for young players.

The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators could be preparing trade offers for Marian Hossa if the Atlanta Thrashers don't sign him to an extension.

The Thrashers have claimed Mark Recchi on re-entry waivers from the Penguins.