NHL and hockey rumors for Sept 16, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Matt Murley to a one-year contract.

The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Brad Richardson to a two-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Free agent defenseman Nolan Pratt is close to signing a deal with a KHL team. Pratt was close to signing a deal in Russia last November, but the Buffalo Sabres came calling. Pratt has not received any offers from NHL teams this summer. Source

Defenseman Mark Popovic has signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. Source

According to a recent interview, Alexei Yashin has received some offers from NHL teams, but deems the offers to be too low. It's believed that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Atlanta Thrashers were among the teams making offers. Brochu's take: Yashin is probably better off playing in Russia, if he thinks he can get a better offer in North America. Source

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos is reporting rumors that both free agents Mats Sundin and Teemu Selanne have received lucrative offers from KHL teams, but both want to remain in the NHL, if they decide to continue playing hockey. It's believed that the Anaheim Ducks are still trying to make moves to fit Selanne under their cap.

NHL and hockey rumors for June 16, 2008

According to Newsday, Alexei Yashin wants to return to the NHL with the New York Islanders. Yashin's agent and GM Garth Snow has had discussions about a contract, but nothing is conclusive at this point. Yashin has a standing contract offer from his Russian team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv for the 2008-2009 season. Brochu's take: Are the Islanders really this desperate for offense? But than again, stranger things have happened...nah, this is much stranger. Source

Swiss reports are indicating that the Montreal Canadiens may be having problems with signing impending UFA Mark Streit. The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have shown interest in the defenseman/forward. Streit's preference is to play for a team's blueline corps. Source

Unrestricted free agent Blake Wheeler is narrowing down his list of teams to around 3 or 4. Wheeler is believed to have limited himself to teams in the East. The Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are amongst the interested teams. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that German clubs Kolner Hale and Adler Mannheim are pursuing Phoenix Coyotes forward Mike York. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Richard Matvichuk could be joining the Straubing Tigers of the DEL. Source

New Jersey Devils forward Petr Vrana could be joining Swedish club Brynas for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Poll Results:

Who is this summer's biggest free agent?

Marian Hossa	305 (65%)
Pavol Demitra	7 (1%)
Brian Campbell	94 (20%)
Wade Redden	11 (2%)
Kristian Huselius	11 (2%)
Brian Rolston	17 (3%)
Other	19 (4%)

Total Votes: 464

Thanks to everyone who participated in the polls!

Bruins, Habs, Rangers to target Hossa

According to the Boston Globe, three NHL teams will make a serious move for impending UFA Marian Hossa: The Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. It's believed that the Pittsburgh Penguins will make attempt to sign the forward, but it's unlikely given the other free agents the Pens have to sign. Brochu's take: The Pens want to sign Malkin as soon as possible, and they still have to lock up other young talents like goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. They'll give a half-hearted offer to Hossa, but they know he is a pure rental.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is reporting that Alexei Yashin is ready to return to the NHL but teams should hurry since he has already received an offer to return to his RSL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Garrioch reports that the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have contacted Yashin's agent. Brochu's take: There's a reason why 30 NHL teams didn't touch him last summer. If someone is stupid enough to offer what he wants, ($4 million or more) than by all means go right ahead.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Andreas Karlsson has signed with Frolunda of the SEL for the 2008-2009 season. Source

The Detroit Red Wings have signed goalie Daniel Larsson to an entry-level contract. Source

Yashin back to the NHL?

Alexei Yashin wants to return to the NHL for the 2008-2009 season. His agent, Mark Gandler, reports that Yashin is happy playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Russian Super League, but misses the high level of play of the NHL. After his buyout last summer, Yashin wanted to return to the Ottawa Senators, but there was no interest. Three other teams made a bid, but tried to lowball Yashin to a lower salary. He's open to coming back next season, and teams that are rumored to have shown some interest are the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks. Source

Brochu's European roundup:

Forward Jason Guerriero will leave the AHL Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators affiliate) at the end of the season and play next year for EHC Visp of the Swiss Nationalliga B. Source

Forward Jean-Guy Trudel will leave the AHL Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis Blues affiliate) at the end of the season and play next year for ZSC Lions of the Swiss Nationalliga A. Source

MacLean involved with Lightning again?

According to the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website, Doug MacLean could once again be involved with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Apparently, MacLean is back in good graces with Lightning majority owner Oren Koules, even though MacLean and Florida real estate developer Jeff Sherrin sued Koules for $50 million when the group's Absolute Hockey Enterprise's venture fell apart in November. It's rumored that he could become the new president or GM (or both). Source

The same blog is saying that the Columbus Blue Jackets will be active around the NHL Entry Draft in June, as the team will be looking for a top line centre. The Jackets will probably use their 1st round pick acquired from the Adam Foote trade in a package to acquire that centre. Source

The New York Post is reporting that New York Rangers GM Glen Sather rejected a trade that would have involved sending Sean Avery to the San Jose Sharks for Steve Bernier. Writer Larry Brooks suggested that this rejection spurred the Brian Campbell trade, as well as the Marian Hossa trade, as the Pittsburgh Penguins were pursuing Bernier as well. Source

On CBC's Hockey Night in Canada intermission program "The Hotstove", panelist Pierre LeBrun suggested that there might be some interest in Alexei Yashin. Yashin wrapped up the RSL season with his team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, where he scored 15 goals and 41 points in 54 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Pohl is rumoured to be signing with HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga A for next season. Source