NHL and Hockey Rumors for March 12, 2013

The Anaheim Ducks have traded forward Dan Sexton to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Kyle Wilson.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed forward Henrik Samuelsson to a three-year, entry level contract.  Samuelsson was the 1st round pick of the Coyotes in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Steven Oleksy to a three-year, two-way contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Arturs Kulda is set to rejoin the team.  Kulda and his KHL team Sibir Novosibirsk have mutually terminated their contract.  He may have to go through waivers.

The Boston Bruins may be close to adding forward Carl Soderberg to their lineup.  Soderberg is in the SEL playoffs with Linkoping.  Soderberg would not have to clear waivers.

Huselius to AIK?

According to Expressen, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kristian Huselius could be playing for Swedish team AIK if there is an NHL lockout.  Source

Hockey and NHL Rumors for Nov 2, 2010

The Edmonton Oilers have placed goaltender Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed forward Jon Sim on waivers.

The San Jose Sharks have placed defenseman Mike Moore on waivers.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Zack Kassian to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Calgary Flames have signed defenseman Mark Giordano to a 5-year, $20.1 million contract extension.

There are rumors that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be interested in acquiring Dustin Penner from the Edmonton Oilers.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:


Goalie Vesa Toskala has signed a month-long contract with Swedish club AIK.

Hockey and NHL Rumors for Oct 26, 2010

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the Vancouver Canucks will try to move defenseman Kevin Bieksa as soon as possible.

The Atlanta Thrashers have placed Nigel Dawes on waivers.  He has cleared.

The Los Angeles Kings have placed goalie Erik Ersberg on waivers.  He has cleared.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Erik Ersberg is expected to sign with KHL team Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

There are rumors that Atlanta Thrashers forward Evgeny Artyukhin will sign with SKA St. Petersburg in Russia.

San Jose Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss has been loaned to Swedish club Brynas.

Hockey and NHL Rumors for Oct 12, 2010

Andreas Lilja

The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Andreas Lilja to a one-year contract.  Brochu's take:  They better check his passport to be sure!

The Boston Bruins have placed goalie Nolan Schaefer on waivers.

The New Jersey Devils have placed enforcer Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond on waivers.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Staffan Kronwall has left the Calgary Flames organization and signed a one year deal with Djurgarden in the Swedish Elite League.  Source

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.

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 31, 2009

This is the larger version of Brochu's European Rumor Roundup:

Peter Forsberg has made his latest comeback to hockey by playing a pre-season game with Swedish club Modo. Forsberg played on the first line against Geneva in Switzerland. Forsberg has also been provisionally named on Sweden's 2010 Olympic roster. Brochu's take: So I guess we can expect Forsberg rumours to continue all season? Keeps me busy, I suppose. ;-)

Ottawa Senators goalie Jeff Glass has signed a one-year deal with KHL team Barys Astana. Source

Defenseman Frantisek Kaberle has signed with HC Kladno of the Czech Extraliga. Kaberle was bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this summer. Source

According to Hokey.cz, free agent forward Petr Sykora is weighing offers from several KHL teams. Source

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 19, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Todd Bertuzzi to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

According to the "Working the Corners" Sharks blog, head coach Todd McLellan has stripped forward Patrick Marleau of his captaincy, and is quoted as saying that "nobody's our captain" at the moment. Joe Thornton has also been relieved of his assistant captain duties. Brochu's take: You have to wonder if Marleau's time is up in San Jose, considering he only has one year left on his contract. The rumor is that Dan Boyle will be the new captain. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Christian Backman and forward Jiri Novotny will sign with HC Frolunda and HC Servette, respectively. Source Source2

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 13, 2009

The Tampa Bay Lightning have sent forward Evgeny Artyukin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Drew Milller and a third round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Ladislav Smid to a two-year deal, and have signed forwards Gilbert Brule and Ryan Stone to one-year, two-way deals.

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed goalie Thomas Greiss to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Nikolai Zherdev is expected to sign a deal with KHL team Salavat Yulaev. Zherdev became a free agent when the New York Rangers refused to accept his arbitration salary.

The San Jose Sharks have signed Swedish goalie Henrik Karlsson to a contract. Karlsson was a free agent that played with Farjestad last season. Source

Hockey and NHL rumors for Aug 7, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Jason Williams to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed forward Brendan Shanahan to a one-year deal.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Jannik Hansen to a one-year, two-way contract.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen has retired from hockey. Brochu's take: One of the few remaining players that actually played for the Winnipeg Jets, he will be missed.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Drew Bannister to a one-year deal. Bannister played for the Kassel Huskies in Germany last season.

Forward Jeff Hamilton has left the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and signed with HC Lugano in Switzerland. Source

Nashville Predators forward Antti Pihlstrom has left the organization and signed with Swedish club Farjestad. Source

Latest NHL Signings! Part XIX Swedish edition

Here's the long overdue version of Brochu's European rumor roundup: (with a focus on players coming in/out of Sweden to NHL teams.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Mika Pyorala to a 1-year, $500,000. Brochu's take: Pyorala is one of those European free agents to keep an eye on.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Andreas Engqvist to a three-year deal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Rickard Wallin to a one-year contract and goalie Jonas Gustavsson to a 1-year, $900,000. Brochu's take: Gustavsson was the most talked about European free agent this summer, and will be given a chance to back up Toskala in T.O.

Montreal Canadiens forward Yanick Lehoux has left the organization and signed with Swedish club Sodertalje.

Anaheim Ducks forward Josh Green and Minnesota Wild defenseman Tomas Mojzis have both signed deals with Modo.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for July 6, 2009

The Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Clay Wilson to a two-year contract.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed forward Trevor Frischmon to a one-year deal.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Toronto Maple Leafs are rumored to be signing Swedish forward Rickard Wallin. Wallin is the captain of Swedish club Farjestad. Source

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Ilkka Pikkarainen. Pikkarainen returns to the organization after spending three seasons with Finnish club HIFK. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Matt Nickerson. Nickerson spent last season with Ilves of the SM-Liiga. Source

The St. Louis Blues have signed goalie Hannu Toivonen. Toivonen returns to the NHL after spending 2008-2009 with Ilves.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Steve McCarthy. McCarthy spent last season with KHL club Salavat Yulaev.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 17, 2009

According to Al Strachan of the Score, there's a rumor that the Toronto Maple Leafs could send defenseman Tomas Kaberle to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Marek Zidlicky and goaltender Josh Harding. The speculation is that the Leafs brass are very impressed with Harding. Harding is also due to be a restricted free agent this summer. Brochu's take: This may be the last chance for GM Brian Burke to deal Kaberle. Zidlicky is a good offensive defenseman, but his numbers have decreased since his Nashville days.

The Nashville Predators have named former Predator Martin Gelinas Director of Player Development. Gelinas spent last season with SC Bern of the Swiss Nationalliga A. Brochu's take: I take it this means Gelinas has retired from playing hockey.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

New York Islanders forward Jeremy Colliton is rumoured to be leaving the organization and signing with Swedish team Rogle for the 2009-2010 season. Source

Russian reports are saying that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Petr Sykora could be signing with KHL team Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 30, 2009

Sorry about the lack of updates lately, I have been involved in another hockey-related project and it's been taking up my time. But I should be updating the blog regularly in the lead-up to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft!

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Rick Rypien to a two-year, $1.1 million contract.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo to a three-year, entry-level contract. Bortuzzo was the Pens' third round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Alex Plante to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers took Plante in the 1st round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. (edit. Thanks for the correction!)

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Chris Terry to a three-year, entry-level deal. Terry was the Canes' 5th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Micheal Haley to a one-year, two-way NHL contract. Haley had been playing for the Isles' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

Brochu's European rumor roundup: (signings)

The Montreal Canadiens have officially signed free agent forward Mikael Johansson to a one-year, two-way contract. The 23-year-old Johansson has spent the past four seasons with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Elite League.

The Florida Panthers have signed free agent goaltender Alexander Salak to a contract. The 22 year old Czech native has spent the last two seaons with Finnish club TPS. Source

The New York Rangers have signed free agent forward Andres Ambuhl to a contract. Ambuhl has played for HC Davos in Switzerland for the past several seasons. Source

New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Pock has left the organization and signed a contract with Swiss club Rapperswil. Source

Weekend rumor roundup for May 23-24, 2009

The Calgary Flames have fired head coach Mike Keenan. Brochu's take: It was thought that Keenan's job was safe after the Flames playoff exit, but GM Darryl Sutter must have a change of mind. Sutter may take the job himself again.

According to the New York Post, Rangers forward Bobby Holik is set to retire from hockey. Holik wants to spend more time with his family. Brochu's take: Hard to think that Holik once earned $9 million a season in the pre-lockout days.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to Swedish reports, the Montreal Canadiens have offered a contract to free agent forward Mikael Johansson. The 23-year old forward played for Farjestad in the SEL. Source

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist is rumored to be signing with KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 16, 2009

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Anton Gustafsson to a three-year, entry-level contract. Gustafsson was the Caps' 1st round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed forward Steve Bernier to a two-year, $4 million contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Niclas Havelid has left the New Jersey Devils and signed a one year contract with Linkopings HC in Sweden. Source

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jakub Petruzalek forward has signed with Lukko Rauma in Finland.

There are rumors from Russia that New York Rangers forward Nikolai Zherdev could sign with a KHL team. Zherdev is a restricted free agent this summer.

There are rumors from Russia that Washington Capitals forward Viktor Kozlov will be playing with SKA St. Petersburg next season. Source

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 May 9, 2009

According to TSN, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly admits that Jim Balsillie's bid for the Phoenix Coyotes caught league officials by surprise and says there have been three offers to keep the team in Arizona. "He makes his own decisions and he's making a decision that this is the way he wants to get into the National Hockey League." Daly said. "We don't usually like to pick fights, but we end them." Daly was also named the temporary CEO of the Coyotes on Friday. In the meantime, the city of Hamilton has confirmed talks with Balsillie's camp, and expressed their interest in getting the Coyotes. Brochu's take: Get your popcorn ready, folks. It seems like this is Balsillie's Last Stand of getting an NHL franchise, and he's going to fight until the end. As for the NHL, did they not in early March claim they weren't in control of the Coyotes? And Daly's comments on owner Jerry Moyes seemed contradictory, since Moyes is looking for the best deal for himself, not the creditors. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Erik Karlsson to a three-year, entry-level contract. Karlsson was the Sens' first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrick Roy met with Colorado Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix on Thursday, but it's unknown what was discussed. Roy has been rumored to be coming back to the Avs organization in some fashion, possibly for the vacant GM job.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The three frontrunners to land Swedish free agent goalie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson appears to be the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 5, 2009

According to RDS, the Montreal Canadiens have contacted Marc Crawford for the head coach position. Crawford is currently doing colour commentary on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. Brochu's take: Crawford also speaks a little bit of French, so that will help him out. Source

The latest name in the rumor mill for the vacant GM position of the Minnesota Wild appears to be Pierre McGuire. Brochu's take: If that indeed happens, I expect Dion Phaneuf, Zach Parise and Carey Price being traded to the Wild at once.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Slovakian hockey team HC Kosice has targeted New York Islanders forward Tomas Marcinko and Los Angeles Kings forward Vladimir Dravecky for the 2009-2010 season. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Niclas Havelid has been linked with a number of Swedish teams, including Linkoping, Sodertalje and Timra. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 1, 2009

The Phoenix Coyotes have denied a report that the NHL has been running the franchise since February. Coyotes President Doug Moss refuted that report late Wednesday night, saying the league has not assumed control of the Coyotes. "We are not reporting to the league," Moss said. "We report to (owner) Jerry Moyes. I'm dealing with things in my area, the business side, and Donnie (GM Don Maloney) is dealing with the hockey side." Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Globe and Mail is reporting that Jaromir Jagr hasn't ruled out a return to the NHL, and if he does return, his first choice would be the Edmonton Oilers. The 37 year old still has one year left on his contract with KHL club Avangard Omsk, but wants to play with the team that offered him a contract last summer. "I was pretty excited when I heard that Edmonton pushed pretty hard for me to get (there)," Jagr said Thursday at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. "I really appreciate it. If I ever go to (the NHL), they would be my No. 1 pick because they showed the interest first. I never forget that and I respect that." Brochu's take: Anything is possible, especially given a year's time. He would be pretty dynamite on Ales Hemsky's line. Source

Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik has signed a two-year contract with Russian team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Brochu's take: Hmmm, I always thought Zednik would have no trouble securing an NHL contract. Funny enough, he was announced as a candidate for this year's Masterton trophy. Source

Colorado Avalanche forward Per Ledin has left the organization and signed a 6-year deal with Swedish club HV71. Source