NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 14, 2009

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has refuted rumors that he has entered draft negotiations with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Speculation was rampant on Tuesday that the Lightning were willing to send the 2nd overall pick and forward Ryan Malone to the Leafs in exchange for the 7th overall pick. There was also a rumor that the Leafs would consider sending Luke Schenn and Tomas Kaberle and the pick to the Bolts for the 2nd overall pick. Burke still stands that he would try to get John Tavares at the draft. Brochu's take: I think this story will continue to simmer and heat up once the draft rolls around. I really don't think Burke will give up Schenn. Source

The Globe and Mail is reporting that Jim Balsillie has reached an agreement with the city of Hamilton for “an option on a 20-year lease” for Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Place and the convention centre. In the meantime, it has been revealed that Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf's offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes is valued at around $130 million, significantly less than Balsillie's $212.5 million. Brochu's take: The bankrupty hearing is still ongoing, but you really have to wonder if the judge is going to look at both offers and see which one is better for the creditors. It doesn't take a genius to see that Balsillie's offer puts more money in the creditors' pockets. There's also rumors that Reinsdorf's offer isn't really "official" and that he was more or less kicking the tires on the whole deal. Source

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Mitch Fadden to a three-year, entry-level contract. Fadden was the Bolts' 4th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenseman P.K. Subban to a three-year, entry-level contract. Subban was the Habs' 2nd round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Canadiens have also re-signed defenseman Andre Benoit, who played the last two seasons with Sodertalje in Sweden, to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Boston Bruins have signed forward Jamie Arniel to a three-year, entry-level contract. Arniel was the B's 4th round pick in 2007.

Weekend rumor roundup for May 2-3, 2009

The New York Rangers have re-signed goalie Steve Valiquette to a one-year, $725,000 contract. Source

Here's some of the latest rumors from CBC's Hockey Night in Canada intermission program, The Hotstove:

Al Strachan reported that there are rumors that Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon could be on his way. Strachan cites friction between Tallon and president John McDonough, and McDonough might want to bring his own guy on the team.

The Hotstove panel also reported that Mike O'Connell, David McNabb and Chuck Fletcher are rumored to be in the mix for the Minnesota Wild GM position.

Pierre LeBrun reported that contract talks between the Vancouver Canucks and the Sedin brothers are not going well, and three NHL teams are very interested in landing them both in the free agent market this summer. The Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs all have the cap space and interest in the Swedish twins. Brochu's take: I still think Vancouver will sign them both in the summer, at slightly less than market value.

According to the CBC panel, if the New York Islanders take defenseman Victor Hedman first overall in the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning would consider trading the 2nd overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Tomas Kaberle and Luke Schenn. Consequently, the Leafs would take John Tavares. Brochu's take: That would be one crazy proposal. There's a lot of speculation that the Islanders could be edging towards taking Hedman, so there's a real possibilty that this could happen. LeBrun reports that Lightning owner Oren Koules was scouting another top draft pick, Matt Duchene tonight.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 2, 2009

According to the National Post, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is not looking to deal Tomas Kaberle, but would be willing to consider a "home-run" deal for him. Burke has not asked Kaberle to waive his no-movement clause, but a source close to the player's agent said the Leafs would soon be given a list of teams he would agree to play for. The Post also reports that an NHL team has offered a top-5 pick for defenseman Luke Schenn, but Burke isn't biting. Brochu's take: Burke's got a point about Kaberle, who's contract is actually fair in today's market. Schenn is pretty much an untouchable at this point. Source

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that "there's talk [Florida]Panthers GM Jacques Martin has had talks with [Pittsburgh]Penguins GM (and old friend from their Senators days) Ray Shero about a Jay Bouwmeester for Ryan Whitney and draft picks deal." Brochu's take: Why would Shero do that for a impending UFA? Source

The Ottawa Senators have fired head coach Craig Hartsburg, only 48 games into his first season behind the team's bench. Binghamton Senators head coach Cory Clouston will replace him for the rest of the season. GM Bryan Murray has also said there will be "judgements" made on players before the trade deadline. Brochu's take: They fired the wrong guy. Murray has just been re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titantic, and sooner or later owner Eugene Melnyk will fire him as well.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed forward Alexandre Picard on waivers.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Nathan McIver on waivers.

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 8, 2008

The Anaheim Ducks have claimed forward Joakim Lindstrom off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks and assigned him to Iowa of the American Hockey League.

The Boston Bruins have put forwards Peter Schaefer, Nate Thompson and Jeremy Reich on waivers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Luke Schenn to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Leafs also put forward Boyd Devereaux and defenseman Staffan Kronwall.

The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Patrick O'Sullivan to a three year contract averaging $2.925 million a year.

The Vancouver Canucks have put forwards Jason Krog and Matt Pettinger on waivers.

The San Jose Sharks have placed defenseman Kyle McLaren on waivers.

The Detroit Red Wings have place defenseman Aaron Downey on waivers.