Dowd, Fitzpatrick, Grahame on waivers

The Philadelphia Flyers have placed centre Jim Dowd and defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick on NHL waivers Thursday. "At the end of the day, we felt it would give us more roster flexibility if they both clear," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren told the Philadelphia Inquirer from the world junior tournament in the Czech Republic. "It will allow us to do more things with our team, maybe even bring up a defenceman." Could a trade be coming soon? Source

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed goaltender John Grahame on waivers. Grahame is earning $1.4 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. "John Grahame didn't do anything wrong, he didn't get any support," GM Jim Rutherford said. "We're just giving another guy a chance here." The Hurricanes have called up Michael Leighton from the AHL Albany River Rats. Source

Penguins in trade talks

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero won't be making any panic moves to help his injury-riddled club, but he is keeping all the doors open. Shero cannot divulge specifics of any talks in which he is engaged, but acknowledged that he is speaking with other clubs. "You hear from somebody almost every day in this job," Shero said. "There is plenty of conversation." Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Darryl Boyce to an entry-level contract. The 23 year old undrafted centre had been playing with the AHL Toronto Marlies. Source

With the new year, many players can now be signed to contract extensions. Here are some of the ones that are close to signing:

The Dallas Stars can officially sign Mike Ribeiro to a long-term deal. Co-GM Les Jackson said the Stars have already started negotiations with Ribeiro's agent, Don Meehan. "We're talking, and things are moving forward," Jackson said. "We think things are very positive." Source

Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke is looking to sign forward Corey Perry to a long-term extension when he gets back to Anaheim on Jan 7. He is hoping to avoid the contract situation he had last year with Dustin Penner. Source

The Detroit Red Wings have offered goaltender Chris Osgood a three-year extension, but his agent, Rollie Thompson, said they still haven't decided on a term. A one-year, incentive-laden contract also is a possibility. Source

The Red Wings have also been in negotiations with defenseman Andreas Lilja and forward Dan Cleary. A deal may be close with both players.

Hnidy for Bochenski, update on more outdoor games

The Anaheim Ducks have traded defenseman Shane Hnidy and a sixth round pick in 2008 to the Boston Bruins for forward Brandon Bochenski. This is the "minor" deal that GM Brian Burke hinted at before. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN reports on his blog that several other teams are interested in conducting outdoor games, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs would like to have the game at BMO field, which is owned by MLSE, but it could also be held at Rogers Centre. Other teams interested are the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche. Source

For more on possible outdoor games, check my previous post here.

Cheechoo available?

The Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times is reporting that San Jose Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo is being shopped. Cheechoo is signed through 2010-11, and makes $3 million a year. The article is also stating that there is a rumor that Cheechoo could be swapped for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. The Edmonton Oilers are also reportedly in the running for Cheechoo. Source

Sergei Samsonov cleared waivers on Monday and the Chicago Blackhawks have called him on re-entry waivers. Coach Denis Savard has said that he would only be called up if there were teams interested in picking him up. There's speculation that the Carolina Hurricanes and the San Jose Sharks could pick up the Russian winger. Source

Curtis Joseph continues to be in the rumor mill after his strong performance with Team Canada at the Spengler Cup. The usual teams have been mentioned, but Pittsburgh remains the most hotly rumoured destination.

Gordie Dwyer has been cut by the Portland Pirates (Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate) and has signed with the Schwenningen Wild Wings of the ASSTEL-Bundesliga in Germany, one division under the DEL. Source

Poll Results:

Who will win the 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship?

Canada	129 (75%)
Czech Republic	3 (1%)
Denmark	1 (0%)
Finland	4 (2%)
Kazakhstan	0 (0%)
Russia	3 (1%)
Slovakia	0 (0%)
Sweden	8 (4%)
Switzerland	0 (0%)
USA	24 (13%)

Total Votes: 172

More outdoor games coming?

With the Winter Classic going on today in Buffalo, there has been talk that outdoor games could become a fixture in the NHL schedule. "It's something we're going to look at doing more of," said Bill Daly, the NHL's deputy commissioner. "I wouldn't say we'd do an outdoor game every year. But it could become a semi-regular event. It's a little early to make those predictions. But it's a pretty interesting event." Source

The Globe and Mail is also reporting that there are rumors that the Ottawa Senators are looking to play an outdoor game on the Rideau Canal in front of temporary bleachers. The Montreal Canadiens are also looking to play their NHL All-Star game in 2008-2009 outdoors, possibly on the St. Lawrence river. Source

According to the Hurricanes blog on WRAL.com, Carolina could be targeting two defenseman: Marek Zidlicky of the Nashville Predators and Joe Corvo of the Ottawa Senators. Source

Konstantin Pushkarev has mysteriously rejoined the Iowa Stars of the AHL. Pushkarev had left the Dallas Stars organization in November to return home to Russia.

Happy New Year to all my readers!