Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 12, 2010

Forward Ruslan Fedotenko and defenseman Garnet Exelby have been invited to the New York Rangers training camp.

Forward Marcus Nilson has been invited to the New Jersey Devils training camp.

Forward Tyler Arnason will be attending the Florida Panther's camp.

Defenseman Shane Hnidy has been invited to the Phoenix Coyotes training camp.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Free agent defenseman Christoph Schubert may be close to signing with Swedish club Frolunda HC. Source

According to an Austrian source, free agent defenseman Doug Lynch is looking to sign with an NHL team. It's believed the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are interested.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 22, 2009

It's Sunday, so it must be time for Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

"League sources" are saying that the Montreal Canadiens are interested in acquiring forward Ryan Smyth from the Colorado Avalanche. Avs GM Francois Giguere is shopping the forward, as well as several other players. Giguere has orders from ownership to slash payroll. Smyth has three years left on a $6.5 million a year deal, and also has a no trade clause. Brochu's take: No one is going to take Smyth at $6.5 million, and especially not for three more years! Smyth is a good forward but his value is not in his production. I really don't believe in all these Smyth rumours.

The Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning may be interested in Ottawa Senators defenseman Christoph Schubert. The Sens would like defenseman Ladislav Smid in return. Brochu's take: While both teams need defensemen desperately, there are better options for Schubert. As for Smid, I think he's worth more than Schubert, Bruce.

The Atlanta Thrashers have been shopping defensemen Ron Hainsey and Niclas Havelid. Both are expected to be dealt at the deadline. Brochu's take: Havelid, yes. Hainsey, no.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in acquiring forward Erik Cole. Brochu's take: Like I've said before, as long as the Oilers are in the playoff race, they won't be subtracting roster players.

The Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks are interested in Sens forward Chris Neil.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Alex Kovalev. There's also rumors that the Penguins are interested in re-acquiring him. Brochu's take: The BJs are looking for more centres than wingers. The Pens could be a good fit for Kovalev.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 3, 2009

Minnesota Wild forward Marian Gaborik will have surgery on his hip on Monday and will be out a minimum of 10 weeks. This will rule out any chance of Gaborik being traded before the trade deadline, as players that are placed on the long-term injury list are ineligible to be traded. There's a small chance that his rights could be traded right before the July 1st UFA deadline. Brochu's take: And so dies the Gaborik rumors. Perhaps Gaborik should have taken that $8 milllion a year contract when he had the chance; now no one will pay that much for a oft-injured player.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that Senators GM Bryan Murray might be willing to shop 1st round pick he received from the Tampa Bay Lightning. There has been interest in forward Antoine Vermette and defenseman Christoph Schubert, but none of the offers were good enough for the Sens. The Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets are believed to have mild interest in forward Jason Spezza. The BJs might also be interested in Vermette and forward Chris Kelly and might be offering up defenseman Kris Russell in return, although the Sens are believed seeking a more established blueliner. Brochu's take: Hmmm...looks like Garrioch reads the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch, because this is essentially what they reported a few days ago, aside from Kelly's name being thrown in. Spezza's name continues to be in the rumor mill, but seriously, he won't be moved. Source

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

Forward Dan LaCouture has left the Carolina Hurricanes franchise and signed with KHL team Barys Astana. Brochu's take: There were rumours of this a few days ago, but I don't think there was much interest in where Dan Lacouture was going. Source

Weekend rumor roundup for Nov 22-23, 2008

Here's the latest NHL and hockey rumor update for this weekend:

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun speculates that the Montreal Canadiens might be willing to shop forward Alexei Kovalev in order to fit Mats Sundin into their lineup. GM Bob Gainey has renewed his interest in the Swedish free agent after previously stating that he will was no longer pursuing him. Brochu's take: The Sundin rumors are amping up again.

Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis still has that 2-year, $20 million offer on the table for Mats Sundin, but if he can't sign him, the Canucks could make a pitch for Ottawa Senators centre Jason Spezza. Brochu's take: Could. However, given that the salary cap will go down next year, and the Canucks are comfortably under the cap, they might hesitate on adding a long term, expensive contract.

The Calgary Flames are shopping defenseman Adrian Aucoin. Source

The Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason is reporting that the Sabres should get rid of forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly, as well as defenseman Henrik Tallinder if the Sabres are to make the playoffs. Brochu's take: Afinogenov has been on the market for quite some time, but no one has been biting. Connolly's well-known injury troubles will scare off potential suitors. Tallinder's probably the only one that could attract some interest. Source

Garrioch on his Canoe.ca blog stated that the Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Sens defenseman Christoph Schubert. No word on what may be coming back though. Source