European rumors update April 28, 2008

As promised, this is another edition of Brochu's European rumour roundup:

The Edmonton Journal is reporting that Russian team Ak Bars Kazan is rumored to be preparing to make a $4 million salary contract offer to Montreal Canadiens forward Andrei Kostitsyn, a restricted free agent this summer. Brochu's take: It's unlikely that Kostitsyn will sign in Russia. He loves Montreal and his brother is playing there. Kostitsyn will certainly take a deal similiar in salary to stay with the Habs. Source

Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Vyborny has left the NHL and signed a three-year contract with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. He will also function as the club's sports manager, the Czech news agency CTK reported. Vyborny's father is also the head coach of Sparta. Brochu's take: Rumors of him leaving the NHL have been reported all season. He does have an out-clause, but it's unlikely he will returning to North America anytime soon. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Karel Rachunek has left the NHL and signed a two-year deal with Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) of the Russian Super League. Brochu's take: I don't think Rachunek will be returning to the NHL for a third time. He's good as gone. Source

Devils forward Noah Clarke has left the organization and signed with Ambri Piotta of the Swiss Nationalliga A.

There are rumors that New York Rangers forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau will leave the organization and play in Europe for 2008-2009. Both Malmo of the SEL and Hamburg Freezers of the DEL have expressed an interest. Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Andreas Karlsson is rumored to be signing for Frolunda of the SEL. Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed goalie Joel Gistedt to an entry-level contract. The Coyotes are also close to signing defenseman Jonas Ahnelov to a contract.

Morrison wants 4-year contract?

Vancouver Canucks forward Brendan Morrison is looking for a 4 year contract. GM Dave Nonis saids he intends to re-sign Morrison, but Morrison understands he may get more lucrative offers in the open market. Source

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

There's a rumour that Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Vyborny will join Swedish Elite League team HV71 next season. Source

European rumors update

Here's the latest rumours from Europe, which have been collected from various European sources in the past few days. This is the big version of Brochu's European round-up:

New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr has said that he would come to Russia to play his last years of the career. He said that he gave his "word" to play in Russia and wanted to play for Avangard Omsk, whose chairman stated that they would do everything they can to bring Jagr to Omsk. Jagr played for Avangard in the 2004-2005 lockout year. Source

Denik Sport (A Czech newspaper) reported that Columbus Blue Jacket forward David Vyborny is rumoured to have signed a contract with Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. Vyborny has stated that Sparta and Swiss club Lugano are his preferred destinations if he returned overseas. Vyborny played for Sparta during the lockout and his father is currently the head coach. Thanks to vakfan over at Southern Bohemian Ho(c)ke(y)j for the link! Source

There are rumours that New York Islanders prospect Jesse Joensuu will leave his team Ässät in Finland and come to North America for the remainder of the season. Source

According to Swiss newspaper Giornale del Popolo, both Chicago Blackhawks forward Martin St. Pierre and Atlanta Thrashers minor-leaguer Jason Krog could be joining HC Lugano this season. Source

Swedish defensive prospect Lars Jonsson is rumored to be leaving the Philadelphia Phantoms (Flyers AHL affilate) and could sign with one of four SEL teams; Färjestad, Leksand, HV71 and Linköping. Source

Bruce Garrioch's rumour round-up

Here is the latest from Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch. He covers a lot of rumours that have been floating around, so here are the ones that are less covered:

The Philadelphia Flyers may try to put a package together to get Mats Sundin from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Citing sources, GM Paul Holmgren would send Jeff Carter and a 1st round pick for the Swede.

The LA Kings are shopping forward Ladislav Nagy, and defensemen Brad Stuart, Jaroslav Modry and Rob Blake. GM Dean Lombardi wants a roster player, prospect and a 1st round pick for Blake's services.

Garrioch is also rehashing the old rumour of the Tampa Bay Lightning sending Martin St. Louis to the Dallas Stars for Marty Turco.

The Carolina Hurricanes want either Ottawa Senators defnseman Joe Corvo or forward Antoine Vermette, but are unwilling to send Erik Cole the other way. GM Jim Rutherford may also consider sending Cole to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward David Vyborny.

Marc Denis waived, Rangers/Blue Jackets update

Following the loss to Montreal Thursday night, goaltender Marc Denis has been waived by the Tampa Bay Lightning, effective Friday. If he clears waivers, he will report to their AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. "It's obvious a transaction is coming...but I don't want to speculate. With the money I make and the contract I signed, the no-trade clause has only very little value." Denis said. Source

The New York Daily News is also reporting on the rumors between the New York Rangers and the Columbus Blue Jackets. GM Scott Howson was spotted chatting with GM Glen Sather in the press box at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul last Thursday, and then both Howson and Sather enjoyed the rest of the game in the visiting teams' private box. Petr Prucha and David Vyborny seems to be the names that have been tossed around the most frequently. The Blue Jackets might also be interested in young forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. A trade could come very soon. Source

David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News is reporting that scouts from 6 teams were at the San Jose Sharks-LA Kings game on Wednesday. These teams were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. Source

Potential Rangers/Blue Jackets blockbuster?

Aaron Portzline reports on his Columbus Blue Jackets blog Puck-rakers that the New York Rangers and Blue Jackets have talked, but nothing is imminent. Portzline also reported that on Dec. 23, when the Blue Jackets played Nashville, Gord Clark – the Rangers’ director of player personnel – watched from high above the rink. The Rangers are said to be interested in right winger David Vyborny and a defenseman, maybe Adam Foote or Rostislav Klesla. The Blue Jackets are said to be interested in right winger Petr Prucha. Source

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is also reporting on this rumor, speculating that other players could be included in an expanded deal. The Rangers would like to get rid of the contracts of defensemen Paul Mara and Marek Malik, but would also have to include someone like forward Nigel Dawes to make up the difference. Brooks also notes that Jason Chimera could be included in any deal between the two teams. Source

There are rumors coming from Chicago that Tuomo Ruutu could be shopped by the Blackhawks to get a veteran defenseman. The plethora of young forward talent in the Chicago system has made Ruutu a valuable asset in the market.

The NHL could be returning to ESPN (ESPN2 to be accurate) for the 2008-2009 season.