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.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 15, 2009

According to Al Strachan of the Score's Hardcore Hockey Talk, the Montreal Canadiens have made an offer to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Vincent Lecavalier. However, it's believed the Bolts want Andrei Markov in return, someone the Habs do not want to trade. The deal is still rumored to involve P.K. Subban and a 1st rounder. Brochu's take: More updates as this story begins to explode across the NHL.

Strachan also reports that various NHL governors have had informal discussions about a dispersal draft, if the Phoenix Coyotes do indeed fold. Meanwhile, TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that the Coyotes are likely to be sold in the next two months, with current owner Jerry Moyes retaining as much as 20 percent.

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez met this morning with commissioner Gary Bettman at the NHL Headquarters in Manhattan. He was there to update the commissioner on the status of Hartford's plans for a new arena in the city. Perez hopes to bring back NHL hockey back to Connecticut. Brochu's take: I got an idea, move the Coyotes to Hartford and bring back the Whalers. But only if they promise to play "Brass Bonanza" after every single goal. Source

According to the Columbus Blue Jackets blog "Puck-rakers", BJ's assistant GM Chris MacFarland was at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto last night, watching the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Nashville Predators. Writer Aaron Portzline also reports that two scouts from the Pittsburgh Penguins, one each from the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers were at the Blue Jackets-Colorado Avalanche game on Tuesday. Brochu's take: It looks like teams are circling the Leafs, looking to pick up whatever's left. Scouts are at every game, but trade speculation seems to be picking up around the league.

There appears to be still no contract talks between the Minnesota Wild and free-agent to be Niklas Backstrom. There has been no indication that GM Doug Risebrough event wants the goaltender to come back. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 13, 2009

Speculation around the NHL and hockey world is growing about the possibility of the Tampa Bay Lightning trading forward Vincent Lecavalier. Bob McKenzie notes that it's up to Lecavalier if he wants to stay in Tampa, or be traded. His no trade clause does not kick in until July 1st. McKenzie also noted that the the proposed deal with the Montreal Canadiens includes Tomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins, Josh Gorges, prospect P.K. Subban and a package of draft picks (including a first rounder ). Source

La Presse is also reporting that the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers could be interested. Brochu's take: Forget the Rangers, their lack of salary cap space is what prevented Mats Sundin from signing there. The Kings and Oilers have the cap room, but do they have the assets? Rumours are that any package from the Oilers would have to include forwards Shawn Horcoff and Rob Schremp. The Lightning would also like Alexander Frolov from LA. Source

ESPN's Scott Burnside reports the Phoenix Coyotes were penalized 25% of their portion of the revenue-sharing pot last season. Teams can only collect their share of the revenue-sharing money if they attain certain revenue and attendance targets. Also, the Coyotes last week laid off 18 staff members, approximately 10% of their staff. Rumors of contraction have spread through the league as well. Brochu's take: The CBC Hotstove panel were discussing the possibility ( and implementation) of the dispersal draft already! Before we talk about the "c" word, I believe the league and NHL will do everything possible to relocate the franchise first.

The Florida Panthers have placed defenseman Cory Murphy on waivers.

Montreal-Tampa Bay rumor?

During TSN's broadcast of the Edmonton Oilers-St. Louis Blues game, Darren Dreger reported during the 2nd intermission that there has been steady dialogue between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning about Vincent Lecavalier. Sources are saying that there are some in the Bolts organization who want to trade Vinny, and some who don't. Lecavalier's agent has flown down to Tampa to "quiet" down the issue and clear the status of his client. Dreger adds that up to 4 NHL roster players could be involved, and the deal could likely involve forwards Chris Higgins and Tomas Plekanec, defenseman P.K. Subban and draft picks/prospects. Brochu's take: The TSN panel also discussed Lecavalier's reluctance to play in Montreal and his huge contract. Montreal does want to make a splash this season, but a lot of things would have to fall in place for this rumor to come true.

Thrashers prepared to trade Hossa

*** 2:44pmEST update *** Sportsnet and ESPN have confirmed that the Calgary Flames have signed goaltender Curtis Joseph. Source

Atlanta Thrashers GM and coach Don Waddell would still like to sign impending free agent Marian Hossa, but admitted that he may have to trade the forward. "The good thing is, in the next three or four weeks, we'll know which direction we're headed," Waddell said. "We'll be prepared for whatever we'll try to do." Waddell also thinks he can get a lot in return for Hossa, contrary to speculation that rental players won't get as much as years past. "I think the prices will be high again this year, absolutely." Waddell said. Source

The asking price for Hossa seems to be a young forward, a top to mid-level prospect and high draft picks. Some of the rumoured offers for Hossa are:

The Ottawa Senators have offered Antoine Vermette, Brian Lee, a 1st round draft pick and a 4th round pick in 2008.

The Montreal Canadiens have offered Michael Ryder, P.K. Subban, a 1st round draft pick and a 3rd round pick in 2008.

The Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of making a trade for a power-play quarterback defenseman, and a deal could occur this week.