NHL and hockey rumors for May 27, 2008

According to Swedish reports, Luleå forward Lubos Bartecko is getting some interest from several NHL teams. The Slovakian scored 16 goals and 27 assists in 48 games for the Swedish club. Brochu's take: Rumor has it that the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild are interested, as are his previous NHL teams, the St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers. Source

According to Metro News, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM job will be given to one of two candidates: Doug Armstrong or Neil Smith. TSN is reporting that Armstrong will be interviewed by MLSE this week, while Marty York cites "irrefutable sources" that Armstrong will be the winner. Brochu's take: A good choice on the Leafs part if this is true. Armstrong built the Dallas Stars team that went to the Western Conference finals. Source

York is also reporting that Dave Nonis will be hired as the GM of either the St. Louis Blues or the Atlanta Thrashers this week.

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

There are rumors that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Dmitri Kalinin could be signing with a Russian team for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Defenseman Bruno St. Jacques will be leaving the Anaheim Ducks organization and will play with ERC Ingolstadt in Germany for the 2008-2009 season. Source

There's speculation that Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Fredrik Norrena could be joining Ässät in Finland. Source

Ducks trade watch, day 7

The Anaheim Ducks trade watch continues. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the most likely return for Scott Niedermayer would be Sunday for the game against the San Jose Sharks. GM Brian Burke has until then to free up around $900,000 from next year's salary cap. McKenzie is saying that "Burke is sitting on some deals that could be done in a heartbeat. He could move veteran Defenceman Sean O'Donnell for a draft pick or package defenceman Shane Hnidy and forward Brad May and the financial issues would be solved. But Burke is entertaining the idea of a "hockey trade" that would improve the Ducks and defenceman Mathieu Schneider would be part of that were it to happen." Source

Randy Youngman of the OC Register is reporting that Burke has been talking trade with the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, Chicago Blackhawks and Caroline Hurricanes. He's also reporting a rumor that the New Jersey Devils are interested in Schneider. Source

The Ducks announced on Monday that they have signed defenseman Bruno St. Jacques to a one-year contract. Subsequently, St. Jacques was recalled from the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate. Source

With the sale of the team official, the Nashville Predators are moving forward with their hockey team. This could mean several trades to improve their team, as the Predators have been looking for better goaltending. A few hours before announcing the sale had closed, Predators Holdings Chairman David Freeman said GM David Poile would soon have more freedom to move forward with other contract negotiations, explore trade opportunities and establish future payroll. Source

Goaltender Fred Brathwaite has left the Atlanta Thrashers AHL affiliate in Chicago and has been suspended by the organization. It's believed he received an offer to play in Russia. There are rumours that he may return to his old RSL team, Aq Bars Kazan. Source

Brochu's fantasy and injury update:

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo may miss several games with a rib contusion he suffered several weeks ago.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards suffered a leg injury in the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.