Hockey and NHL Rumors for Oct 2, 2010

The Minnesota Wild have signed goalie Jose Theodore to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Darcy Hordichuk and defenseman Shane O'Brien on waivers.

Darcy Tucker has retired from the NHL, as well as Mathieu Dandenault.

Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 29, 2010

With Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding out for the season, there have been rumors swirling as to what the Wild will do with their backup situation.  Free agent goalie Jose Theodore's agent Don Meehan has contacted the Wild to see if they are interested in his client.  As well, there are rumors that the Wild are looking at San Jose Sharks goalie Thomas Greiss.  Brochu's take:  It's surprising that Theodore wasn't even given a tryout by any NHL team.  His experience could be a good compliment to Nicklas Backstrom.  Source

The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Mike Mottau to a two-year, $1.6 million contract.

The Islanders have also invited several players late to their training camp, as forwards Dean McAmmond, Krys Kolanos, Jed Ortmeyer, defenseman Anders Eriksson, and goalie Manny Legace have been given professional tryout contracts.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Luke Walker to an entry-level contract.

Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 8, 2010

Yes, I am back! Just in time for the new NHL season. Long story short, I got lazy. But I should be posting on a regular basis from now on.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed free agent forward Jeff Halpern to a one-year, $600,000 contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed forward Kyle Wellwood to a training camp tryout contract.

There are rumors that the Vancouver Canucks may invite free agent goalie Jose Theodore training camp on a try-out contract.

Canucks offer Sundin 2 year, $20 million

TSN is reporting that up to four teams have made offers to Mats Sundin, including the Vancouver Canucks who have made a two-year, $20 million contract with a no trade clause. Brochu's take: Fans in Vancouver must be screaming for the return of Dave "Sensible" Nonis. Source

According to the Fan 590 radio station, the Pittsburgh Penguins have made an approach to Jaromir Jagr.

The Columbus Dispatch blog "Puck-rakers" is reporting the the Blue Jackets have made offers to Wade Redden and Kristian Huselius, and are waiting for a response.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed restricted free agent Andrei Kostitsyn to a three-year, $9.75 million contract extension.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed goalie Ty Conklin to a one year, $750,000 contract.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaile Andrew Raycroft to a one year deal. Terms were not disclosed.

The Washington Capitals have signed goalie Jose Theodore to a two-year, $9 million contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed defenseman Kurt Sauer to a four-year, $7 million contract. The 'Yotes also signed forward Todd Fedoruk to a three-year deal. Terms were not disclosed.

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-sign defenseman Mark Eaton to a two-year, $2 million contract.

Bruce Garrioch's latest rumours

The latest from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock could become the next coach of the Ottawa Senators. Babcock has the option for next year, but could become a "free agent" if he chooses to. Senators GM Bryan Murray and Babcock have a close relationship, with Murray hiring Babcock as the coach of the Anaheim Ducks.

The Chicago Blackhawks may be shopping Martin Havlat and his $6 million a year contract in the off-season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets may try to acquire San Jose Sharks centre Patrick Marleau in the off-season.

The Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning could make a pitch for impending UFA goaltender Jose Theodore. Garrioch believes that Theodore needs a strong playoff run with the Colorado Avalanche to boost his stock.

Paul Kelly, the NHLPA's executive director, said yesterday the union would be willing to change the CBA to allow Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke's plan for salary retention. Burke has been floating the idea that teams be allowed to pick up as much as $500,000 of a player's contract if the player is moved to another team.

The likelihood of the Atlanta Thrashers shopping defenseman Alexei Zhitnik in the summer is high. Zhitnik has one year left at $3.5 million and has been a healthy scratch several times this season.

The talk out of Philly is that if the Toronto Maple Leafs had traded Tomas Kaberle to the Philadelphia Flyers at the deadline, Toronto would not only have received Jeff Carter in return, they would have gotten a 1st round pick in the deal as well.

Garrioch also speculates in this article that the Ottawa Senators could buy out Ray Emery. Under the terms of the new CBA, Emery, who is 25 and doesn't turn 26 until September, would only be eligible to receive $2.25 million in a buyout because he's under 26. The Senators would be allowed to spread the cap hit over double the remaining term of the deal which means it would cost the club $562,500 per season for four years.

Lightning interested in Roloson, Theodore?

According to the Boston Globe, there are rumors that the Tampa Bay Lightning are "sniffing around" Edmonton Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson and Colorado Avalanche netminder Jose Theodore. The Lightning are still looking for a no. 1 goalie. Source

The Globe is also reporting that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sergei Fedorov could be headed to the Carolina Hurricanes. During the 1998 Olympic break, the Canes offered the then-Group II free agent a contract, which the Detroit Red Wings matched. The Wings are also rumoured to be interested in re-acquiring Fedorov. The Jackets are interested in Wings forward Tomas Kopecky. Source

The Chicago Blackhawks have pushed all in in the poker game that is the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes. RDS is reporting that the Hawks have offered a 3-year, $11 million contract. Foppa is rumored to be seriously considering the offer. Source

RDS is also reporting that 3 teams are interested in Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Foote. The Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers are reportedly interested in the defenseman. Source

Various sources are reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks have signed defenseman Brent Seabrook to a 3-year, $10.5 million contract extension.

NHL trade rumors from Marty York

The following rumours are from Marty York of Metro News:

The Colorado Avalanche have had it with the inconsistent goaltending of Jose Theodore and Peter Budaj and are in trade talks with several teams, including the Ottawa Senators. The Sens have lost confidence in Martin Gerber but Avalanche execs consider him an upgrade over Theodore and Budaj, making a Colorado-Ottawa trade a possibility.

The Edmonton Oilers won't publicly say Dwayne Roloson has been demoted but they believe he's regressed and are relying more on their so-called backup, Mathieu Garon.

Several teams have turned down offers from the Tampa Bay Lightning concerning goalie Marc Denis. Denis has been shopped all season, but no one wants his contract. The Colorado Avalanche have already told the Lightning that they are not interested.

York is reporting that Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander may be hiding an injury and could miss a few games. He is also reporting that the bad ice in Washington could explain some of their failures.

The NHL will no longer subsidize an annual road trip in which the fathers of players joined their sons, a trip that many teams are doing this season. Joe Bowen, the Toronto Maple Leafs play-by-play announcer, said the NHL decided to count the fathers’ trips against the clubs’ salary caps, which ultimately meant they could not happen any more.

Mark Recchi has cleared waivers and assigned to the Pittsburgh Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre. It's expected that he will be recalled soon on re-entry waivers.

The Anaheim Ducks have already received offers for their players. According to The Globe and Mail, the Ducks need to free up only around $1 million in "tagging room" for players under contract for 2008-2009. "We have an offer," GM Brian Burke said. "I could hang up this phone and fix this right away. We're trying to make the best hockey deal we can make. We're not in a bind at all. Of the 29 teams — we don't talk to Edmonton - so of the 28 other teams, there's plenty of interest in making this predicament go away." Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have traded goaltender Alex Auld to the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Nate DiCasmirro and a fifth round draft choice in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Forsberg back sooner?

Another day, another Forsberg rumour. According to Aftonbladet, Peter Forsberg may be returning to hockey sooner than before. Harald Lückner, Modo's coach had this to say: "I spoke to Peter about training with Modo, but he refused. I think he's looking to return to the NHL in September." Lückner also believes that there's a slim possibility that he may play with Modo for the upcoming year. Forsberg has decided not to play any more Swedish matches or do any on-ice training until training camp resumes in the NHL. Thanks to "Wolf" for the translation.

Jose Theodore may miss the beginning of the season after recovering from knee surgery. RDS reports that he could miss up to 5 weeks. Source

The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Vadim Khomitski to a one year, one way contract. Khomitski played in nine games for the Iowa Stars in the AHL last season, scoring one goal and six assists. Source