Canadiens and Thrashers talking?

La Presse is reporting that Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell was spotted at the Montreal Canadiens-New York Rangers game in Montreal on Sunday. Waddell is believed to have met with GM Bob Gainey, and talks were surrounded around Mathieu Dandenault. Michael Ryder's name was also tossed in, as he was a recent healthy scratch. Marian Hossa's name remains in the rumor mill, and could be a nice fit in Montreal. Source

Team 990 radio in Montreal has also reported that Waddell and Gainey have talked, with Waddell asking for Russian defenseman Alexei Emelin and forward Christopher Higgins.

Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail wonders when the Edmonton Oilers fire sale will start, and which players will most likely be traded. He figures that Jarret Stoll would get interest from the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets, while Joni Pitkanen, Steve Staios and Dwayne Roloson could get interest from teams making a playoff run. Duhatschek even suggests a swap of Stoll for Gilbert Brule. Source

Marty York of Metro News is reporting that the Ottawa Senators are setting their sights on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Blake. Source

Defenseman Duvie Westcott has been put on re-entry waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Vultures circling Toronto, interest in Staios?

The Toronto Star is reporting that there were 18 scouts from 16 NHL teams watching the Toronto Maple Leafs-St. Louis Blues game Tuesday. Mats Sundin remains the subject of trade rumors, and there is speculation that interim GM Cliff Fletcher will talk to Sundin this week about waiving his no trade clause. Source

According to Adam Proteau of the Hockey News, a Western Conference GM stated that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Steve Staios might draw some interest around the league. Source

In other Oiler news, it looks like billionaire Daryl Katz's new $200 million offer to buy the Oilers will be accepted by the EIG board members. Source

TSN is reporting that the Calgary Flames and defenseman Dion Phaneuf are close to a long-term contract extension, with minor details being ironed out. This should put the preposterous Phaneuf rumours to rest. Source

Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that Peter Forsberg has given his agent Don Baizley the go-ahead to speak to NHL teams that may be interested in signing the Swedish forward. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Forward Matt Hussey has left the AHL Lake Erie Monsters and signed with Jokerit in Finland. He was signed by the Colorado Avalanche last summer. Source

Dallas Stars prospect Sergei Korostin has left Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) in Russia and is now playing with the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He was the Stars' third round, 64th overall selection in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Source

Goaltender Maxime Ouellet, the former first-round NHL draft pick, has left Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and signed with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL. Source

Aftonbladet in Sweden is reporting rumours that Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norström will leave the NHL in 2008-2009 and sign with AIK of the Allsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden.

The paper is also reporting that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Dick Tarnström will also sign with AIK next season. Source

Staios to be traded?

According to the Metro News, Steve Staios could be traded for an established scorer. It's believed that Edmonton would package Staios and a prospect to get some scoring help. Rumours have swirled that it could be Glen Murray or Miroslav Satan, who is due to become an UFA next offseason. Source

Another Forsberg rumour has popped up in New York. According to Newsday, the Islanders have been pursuing Peter Forsberg. They have also inquired about the services of Josef Vasicek and Jason Allison. It's believed that GM Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang would offer a substantial contract to Forsberg, possibly in the $7-7.5 million range to entice him to the Island. Source

Mike Ricci has officially retired after 16 years in the NHL. Source