NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 17, 2009

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Taylor Ellington to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Victoria native was originally selected 33rd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Source

Speculation continues that Patrick Roy will become the next head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. However, the rumor is that current assistant coach Don Lever has the inside track on the job. Brochu's take: There continues to be a bit of an uproar because Lever does not speak French. I don't think Roy has enough experience to become an NHL coach yet.

The Phoenix Coyotes have placed forward Brian McGrattan on re-entry waivers.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

SM-Liiga team Tappara has loaned forward Jori Lehterä to St. Louis Blues AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen for the rest of the season. Lehtera was drafted by the Blues in the third round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Source

HC Lugano forward Patrick Thoresen is still considering a return to the NHL. Thoresen had an excellent season in the Swiss Nationalliga A, scoring 22 goals and 41 assists in 48 games. Brochu's take: Thoresen still has a lot of upside to him, and I can imagine his old teams, the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers, would come calling. Source

Roman Wick: This year's Fabian Brunnstrom?

According to Swiss reports, several NHL teams have been scouting Swiss forward Roman Wick, and there are rumors that he could be the next "Fabian Brunnstrom." (ie. the next hyped European free agent prospect.) Wick plays for Kloten Flyers, and was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators 156th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but was never signed to a contract. Wick's agent Christoph Graph said to slapshot.ch: "It is not a rumor, it's true: We are bringing Wick next season into the NHL." Up to 20 NHL teams have been scouting the Swiss forward, including the Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings. Brochu's take: He could become this year's overhyped European prospect. However, Wick does have two years in the WHL under his belt. With the early success of Brunnstrom, more and more NHL teams are scouting the European leagues for unknown talent. Source

According to Bill Meltzer's blog on NHL.com, forward Patrick Thoresen wants to come back to the NHL next season. Thoresen is currently leading the Swiss Nationalliga A in scoring while playing with HC Lugano. "My goal is to play well enough to get a 1-way contract and become an NHL player again," Thoresen said. Brochu's take: He could be a nice player to pick up. However, he has to be put into a top-6 role to succeed. The Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers are reported interested in re-aquiring the Norwegian. Source

NHL free agent signings for July 19, 2008

A lot of NHLer's have been signing in Europe, so here's another edition of Brochu's European rumor roundup:

San Jose Sharks forward Curtis Brown has signed with Kloten Flyers of the Swiss Nationalliga A.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Joe DiPenta has signed with Swedish team Frolunda for the 2008-2009 season.

Dallas Stars goalie Johan Holmqvist has also signed with Frolunda Indians of the SEL.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Patrick Thoresen has signed with HC Lugano in Switzerland.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Eric Boguniecki from ERC Ingolstadt in the DEL.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nate DiCasmirro has signed with HC Bolzano of the Italian Serie A.

New Jersey Devils forward Sergei Brylin is rumored to have signed a three-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.

Blue Jackets forward Mark Rycroft has signed to play with KHL team Dinamo Minsk in Belarus.

Radulov signs with Salavat Yulaev Ufa!

Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov has signed a three-year contract with KHL team Salavat Yulaev Ufa. In an interview with Russian paper Sport-Express, Radulov stated that he was approached by the Russian team with a great offer, an offer that Nashville could not match. Brochu's take: This isn't a rumor folks, this has happened. Radulov is due to be a RFA next year, so his contract will be suspended. If he ever returns to the NHL, he will have one year remaining on his entry-level deal. Source

There are rumors that Philadelphia Flyers forward Patrick Thoresen could be headed to Switzerland or Sweden, with SEL clubs Skellefteå, Timrå, and Brynäs the most interested in the Norwegian forward. Source

Swedish sources are saying that defenseman Jaroslav Modry could be signing with Malmo of the Elitserien for 2008-2009. Source

Florida Panthers defenseman Magnus Johansson is rumored to be headed to Atlant Mytischi of the KHL.

The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Brendan Buckley to a contract. Buckley spent last season playing for German club Iserlohner Roosters. Source

Goalie Mike Morrison has left the New York Islanders organization and signed with Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia. Source

Defenseman Bryce Lampman has left the Dallas Stars organization and signed with Amur Tigers Khabarovsk in Russia.

Edmonton Oilers forward Jonas Almtorp has been given a try-out for Lulea.

Brad Richards to Philly?

The following rumours come from Al Strachan, courtesy of the show "The Spin" on The Score network:

The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards. Strachan also said that the Flyers were in the Dan Boyle sweepstakes, should the Lightning fail to sign him. Jeff Carter is rumored to be part of the deals.

Strachan believes the Montreal Canadiens are gunning after Florida Panthers forward Olli Jokinen, as well as the Boston Bruins, who could be going after some star players at the trade deadline.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that two Blue Jackets scouts were watching the last Lightning game, and GM Scott Howson has some interest in Richards. The Blue Jackets have the cap space to add Richards, but do they have the prospects or picks to get him?

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that Toronto Maple Leafs interim GM Cliff Fletcher and captain Mats Sundin met on Thursday to discuss his future with the team, and asked him for a list of teams that he would like to be traded to. Sundin has not give him a list, but may this weekend. Source

Dwayne Roloson has not demanded a trade, but is not happy with his playing situation. The Edmonton Sun is reporting that he would not oppose to going to a team where he would play more games.

Pierre McGuire of TSN was on the Team 990 radio in Montreal and mentioned that several teams have made offers for Florida Panthers defenseman Ruslan Salei and could become a hot commodity at the deadline.

The Philadelphia Flyers have claimed forward Patrick Thoresen off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Trent Hunter to a 5-year, $10 million contract extension.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Alex Steen to a 2-year, $3.4 million contract extension.

Rangers after Boyle, Rucinsky and Sundin?

The New York Rangers dominate this rumor report, as several sources indicate that they could make a big splash at the trade deadline.

The New York Post is reporting that the Rangers are making a push for Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle. If Boyle is not signed by the deadline, and if there are no takers for forward Brad Richards, Boyle could be moved.

The New York Post reported the New York Rangers are believed interested in bringing back St. Louis Blues winger Martin Rucinsky for a fourth tour of duty on Broadway. St. Louis president John Davidson likes defenseman Marek Malik, but the Rangers would require a defenseman in return. Source

Marty York of Metro News believes that Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is "no. 1" on the Rangers shopping list. Source

New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is in the market for a "rental" player, and is not interested in signed players. Source

Team 1040 radio in Vancouver is reporting a rumour that the Dallas Stars would send defenseman Phillipe Boucher and goalie Mike Smith to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Brad Richards.

The Boston Bruins have placed forward Stanislav Chistov on waivers. Chistov left his Russian Super League team Salavat Yulaev Ufa late last week. Source

The Los Angeles Kings claimed Matt Ellis off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings.

The Edmonton Oilers put Patrick Thoresen on waivers Thursday.