Afino-gone-ov?

Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News is reporting that the Buffalo Sabres should trade forward Maxim Afinogenov. Gleason notes his eight years of relative sub-par productivity and his contract ($3.5 million for another season) as factors to get rid of him. Brochu's take: Maybe Afinogenov would benefit from a change of scenery. He has speed to burn, but his hands have never caught up to him. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Jon Kalinski from Michigan State University to an entry-level contract. He will join the AHL Philly Phantoms for the remainder of the season.

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Jeff Penner from the Unversity of Alaska-Fairbanks to an entry-level contract. He will join the AHL Providence Bruins next week.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to Swedish sources, Linköping forward Tony Mårtensson is rumoured to be signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brochu's take: Martensson led the SEL in points with 17 goals and 50 assists. He could provide the Blue Jackets with some much needed offense. Source

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Travis Roche will leave the organization and play for SC Bern of the Swiss Nationalliga A for 2008-2009.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Micki DuPont will leave the organization and play for EV Zug of the Swiss Nationalliga A for 2008-2009.

There's a rumor that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja might sign with SEL club Malmo. Brochu's take: This might be an option more than anything. Lilja will probably sign with the Wings this summer.

Cleary to sign 5-year extension?

The Detroit Red Wings blog on Mlive.com is reporting that the Red Wings and forward Dan Cleary have agreed on a 5-year contract extension, and are working out the details for the dollar value. Cleary wants to get a deal done before he becomes a UFA on July 1. The deal is rumored to average around $2.5 million to $3 million a year. Source

The rumor around Buffalo is that goaltender Ryan Miller could become the future goalie of the Detroit Red Wings. With the Sabres allowing its' big free agents walk (or traded), Miller could be headed to his home state of Michigan. The goaltender is due to be an UFA in July 2009. Source

According to Swiss newspaper Blick, Travis Roche could be leaving the AHL San Antonio Rampage and sign with SC Bern of the Swiss Nationalliga A. Roche is property of the Phoenix Coyotes. Source

There's been some more fuel added to the Adam Foote controversy. Foote had allegedly "threatened to be a bad teammate" if he stayed with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Also, the Columbus Dispatch Blue Jackets "Puck-rakers" blog reported that Calgary Flames coach Mike Keenan knew ahead of time that Foote would be traded to the Colorado Avalanche and his equipment guys helped sew "52" and "Foote" on an Avs jersey before the trade was "officially" announced.