NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 16, 2009

The Montreal Canadiens have signed free agent forward Dany Masse to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year old has spent the past five seasons in the QMJHL. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Viktor Stalberg to a two-year, entry-level contract. Stalberg was the Leafs' sixth round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the past three seasons with the University of Vermont in the NCAA. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have relieved Craig MacTavish of duties as head coach. "We both agree that it is time for a change," said Oilers' GM Steve Tambellini at a news conference in Edmonton on Wednesday. MacTavish will leave the organization completely. Brochu's take: It was time for a change in Edmonton. MacTavish should have no problems getting another head coaching job in the NHL. Source

According to Robin Brownlee of Oilers Nation, there are rumors that defenseman Sheldon Souray has asked the Edmonton Oilers for a trade. Brochu's take: Something is just isn't right about this rumor. Apparently, he had some concerns about the coaching staff (a problem that might have been resolved now), and he has deep roots in Alberta. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that Leafs GM Brian Burke has already contacted both the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning about their respective top picks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Burke has made it clear that he wants John Tavares, and will make a concerted effort to get him. Brochu's take: I think Burke wants to make a splash at the draft, but he doesn't exactly have a lot of assets to get that no. 1 pick. Source

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Ryan Shannon to a one-year contract.

NHL and hockey rumors for Sept 3, 2008

The Vancouver Canucks have traded forward Ryan Shannon to the Ottawa Senators for defenseman Lawrence Nycholat. Brochu's take: A depth move, the Canucks have more than enough bottom-6 forwards. As for Nycholat, the veteran AHLer should provide some insurance for the Nucks defense.

In an interview with Team 1040 radio in Vancouver, defenseman Kevin Bieksa acknowledged that there are rumors of him being traded, but he ignores them. He first heard about the rumours during the NHL entry draft. Brochu's take: There's been a lot of speculation in the Vancouver media about a possible trade with the Anaheim Ducks and Mathieu Schneider, who looks likely to be moved. The recent acquistion of Nycholat could mean the Canucks may be up to something.

In an interview with AM640 in Toronto, Mats Sundin has still not decided if he wants to continue playing hockey. Sundin admitted he hasn't even skated yet, and has only worked out a few times. Sportsnet is also reporting that Sundin will meet with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher on Friday. Brochu's take: And another episode of "The Bald and the Beautiful" concludes without any real conclusion...

The Nashville Predators have suspended forward Alexander Radulov indefinitely without pay for the 2008-09 season. Radulov signed a contract with UFA of the KHL despite having one year remaining on his existing contract with Nashville.

The Detroit Red Wings are close to a one-year, ~$850,000 deal with defenseman Chris Chelios.

NHL free agent signings for July 23, 2008

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forwards Ryan Shannon, Rick Rypien, Mike Brown and defencemen Nathan McIver, Zach Fitzgerald and James Sharrow. They were all restricted free agents.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Darren Haydar to a one-year, $525,000 contract. The Wings also re-signed left wing Ryan Oulahen to a one-year contract. Source

The Boston Bruins have placed forward Glen Murray on waivers. Murray has one year left on his contract that pays him $4.15 million in 2008-2009.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Mathieu Darche to a one-year, two-way deal. Source

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed head coach Randy Carlyle to a two-year contract extension.

Satan to Vancouver, Streit and Higgins to Atlanta?

According to Slovakian hockey site hokej.sk, there's a rumor that the Vancouver Canucks have offered forwards Ryan Shannon and Mike Brown to the New York Islanders for Miroslav Satan. Also, GM Dave Nonis was spotted talking to GM Garth Snow for 15 minutes at the GM meetings in Florida. Source

Swiss website hockeyfans.ch reports that the Montreal Canadiens are very interested in Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin and everyone's favourite rental player, Atlanta Thrashers forward Marian Hossa. The rumour is that the Habs have offered defenseman Mark Streit, forward Christopher Higgins and a first round pick to the Thrashers for Hossa. Source

TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting that GM Bob Gainey is targeting an "impact player" at the trade deadline. It's believed that Gainey has offered Michael Ryder and a draft pick to the Calgary Flames for Alex Tanguay. McKenzie also confirms that the Canadiens are after Hossa and Sundin as well. Source

Rumors continue to fly about the Tampa Bay Lightning shopping forward Brad Richards, but his $7.8 million contract and no trade clause remains in the way. La Presse believes that the Canadiens would have interest. Source

The Los Angeles Kings have traded defenseman Jaroslav Modry to the the Philadelphia Flyers for a third round draft pick in 2008. Source