During TSN's broadcast of the NHL game between the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators, analyst Bob McKenzie mentioned that Canucks defensemen Mattias Ohlund and Kevin Bieksa have both been in the rumor mill, and several teams have been asking if they are available. McKenzie suggests that teams with surplus offensive players, such as the Philadephia Flyers, could help out the Canucks, while at the same time shed some salary to fit free agent Brendan Shanahan. Brochu's take: McKenzie also mentioned the possibilty of a Joffrey Lupul or Jeff Carter moving. It will take a good package to pry those steady defenseman out of Vancouver.
According to the Sun Sentinel, Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin spoke about the Panthers’ tepid start and noted that he’s considering moving some veteran players who aren’t producing. “When I look at our performance so far, I don’t think it’s good enough,” Martin said. “We made some moves in the offseason and some of our players have to be better. Some of our veterans have to give us a better performance.” Brochu's take: Since there's not exactly a surplus of veterans on the Cats' roster, I would assume he is speaking about Richard Zednik and Jay Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester continues to be rumored to be headed on his way out of Florida. Source
The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed defenseman Janne Niskala on waivers.
Martin Gelinas has signed a two-week try-out contract with Swiss hockey club SC Bern. He will be given a chance to participate in the European Champions Hockey League and may earn a full contract. Brochu's take: The mainstream media has unfortunately forgot to mention that this is a two-week tryout. Bern will decide on November 24 if they will sign Gelinas long term. Source
The news of New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur possibly missing up to 4 months with elbow surgery has sparked rumors that they could be interested in Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin or Edmonton Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson. Brochu's take: While Roloson is the cheaper option, Khabibulin could be a better fit. With Brodeur out for almost the entire regular season, Khabibulin's contract won't be that much of a burden.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 4, 2008
According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, Brendan Shanahan was in Philadelphia Monday to meet with Flyer's GM Paul Holmgren. Brochu's take: Shananhan wants to remain in the East, and Philly is pretty close to his house and family in New York.
According to Mike Heika's Dallas Stars blog on The Dallas Morning News website, the Stars have signed forward Mark Parrish to a one-year, $500,000 contract, subject to a physical to be held tomorrow. Parrish was signed to an AHL try-out contract with the New York Islanders, but was free to sign with any NHL team. Source
The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Michel Ouellet on re-entry waivers.
The Carolina Hurricanes have placed forward Dan LaCouture on waivers.
There are rumors that the 2009-2010 NHL Season may begin in Sweden, with the city of Malmö hosting the game. Malmö is currently building a new arena. Source
The Columbus Blue Jackets are rumoured to be moving one of their depth defenseman, and a minor trade could come in the very near future.
According to Mike Heika's Dallas Stars blog on The Dallas Morning News website, the Stars have signed forward Mark Parrish to a one-year, $500,000 contract, subject to a physical to be held tomorrow. Parrish was signed to an AHL try-out contract with the New York Islanders, but was free to sign with any NHL team. Source
The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Michel Ouellet on re-entry waivers.
The Carolina Hurricanes have placed forward Dan LaCouture on waivers.
There are rumors that the 2009-2010 NHL Season may begin in Sweden, with the city of Malmö hosting the game. Malmö is currently building a new arena. Source
The Columbus Blue Jackets are rumoured to be moving one of their depth defenseman, and a minor trade could come in the very near future.
Senators trade Nikulin to Coyotes for Fata
The Ottawa Senators have traded disgruntled forward Alexander Nikulin to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Drew Fata. Brochu's take: Looks like he got what he wanted. But with Phoenix's youthful lineup, where does he fit in? Source
Sunday, November 02, 2008
NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 3, 2008
The Toronto Maple Leafs are rumored to be on the verge of trading one of their surplus defenseman, and the most likely two are Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo, who were on display in Sunday night's game between the Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. "We've had preliminary discussions with a few managers," GM Cliff Fletcher said during the game. "And there will be a time I'm sure in the near future when a trade could be available for us. We'd be looking to move just one defenceman and hopefully get a forward in return that would fit into our scheme of things." Fletcher was also spotted in a suite with Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford, who has been looking for a defenseman. Brochu's take: Stay tuned, there could be a trade brewing between these two teams. Source
Fletcher also dismissed rumours that he was interested in Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk and insisted he has not talked to the Thrashers about anything. GM Don Waddell claimed the speculation as a "wild rumour".
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
Ottawa Senators forward prospect Alexander Nikulin has demanded a trade or he will return to Russia. The 23-year old Nikulin has stated that he will return to Russia if the Senators do not have a deal in place by Monday. GM Bryan Murray has shopped the forward for some time, but no one was seriously interested. Brochu's take: This is going to happen more and more with Russian draft picks. Source
Minnesota Wild forward Petr Kalus has signed a contract with KHL team HK MVD Balashikha. Kalus bolted from the AHL farm team in October.
New Jersey Devils forward Erik Rasmussen has signed with Finnish team Assat Pori.
Florida Panthers forward Rob Globke has signed with Frederikshavn White Hawks in Denmark.
Fletcher also dismissed rumours that he was interested in Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk and insisted he has not talked to the Thrashers about anything. GM Don Waddell claimed the speculation as a "wild rumour".
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
Ottawa Senators forward prospect Alexander Nikulin has demanded a trade or he will return to Russia. The 23-year old Nikulin has stated that he will return to Russia if the Senators do not have a deal in place by Monday. GM Bryan Murray has shopped the forward for some time, but no one was seriously interested. Brochu's take: This is going to happen more and more with Russian draft picks. Source
Minnesota Wild forward Petr Kalus has signed a contract with KHL team HK MVD Balashikha. Kalus bolted from the AHL farm team in October.
New Jersey Devils forward Erik Rasmussen has signed with Finnish team Assat Pori.
Florida Panthers forward Rob Globke has signed with Frederikshavn White Hawks in Denmark.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Welcome to Brochu is Hockey, Mach II!
Hi everyone!
As you can see, Brochu is Hockey has a new look. It's been coming for a long time, and I hope you like it. It's a bit streamlined now, and I've optimized the site for widescreen monitors. Some of the links may not work, and some details need to be ironed out but overall, I think it looks really good. If some of you can't see the new look, I suggest clearing your cache. Feel free to leave a comment.
Thanks to everyone who have visited the site over the last few years! Hopefully, this new look will take Brochu is Hockey to the next level, whatever that is. ;-) Look out for new features in the next couple of weeks.
Now let's back to what you're here for, rumours!
Another Sunday edition of Bruce Garrioch's "Rumours Du Jour":
Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer (of CSI fame) has backed off on its interest in building an arena in Las Vegas and has pulled its bid off the table.
Brendan Shanahan could be headed to the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche or the Carolina Hurricanes. Brochu's take: Rumor is that Shanny wants to stay in the East, so that rules out Colorado.
The Anaheim Ducks may be shopping forward Chris Kunitz in order to make room for Mats Sundin. Brochu's take: Kunitz is probably on the market, but there's not much interest in him.
"Expect to see the Sabres move [forward] Ales Kotalik, who is making $2.5 million, before the March 4 trade deadline." Brochu's take: They might, but again the market is not strong for underperforming forwards with big cap hits.
"[Vancouver Canucks GM Mike]Gillis was telling anybody who would listen last week he is not going to trade [defenseman] Mattias Ohlund. As I told Gillis in an e-mail, he can deny he won't deal Ohlund all he wants, but if he doesn't get him signed before the trade deadline, then a move is a strong possibility. Oddly enough, Gillis admitted that "teams have called" on all his players and that means there's interest. He can't deny that." Brochu's take: That could be said about any player that has an expiring contract this season! And I could say that all 29 teams have interest in Sidney Crosby, and there's "no denying that".
The Anaheim Ducks have apparently jumped into the Mats Sundin sweepstakes: Brochu's take: I'll file this under "SC", as in salary cap.
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Senators are pushing hard for a puck-moving defenseman, and may be willing to part with a roster player. Garrioch suggests that the Sens could part with forward Mike Fisher or Antoine Vermette, who have both under-performed this season. Brochu's take: Fisher isn't going anywhere, but Vermette's name has been in the rumour mill for some time. Maybe the Hawks will come calling? Source
The "Between the Circles" blog on the Chicago Daily Herald website is reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks are looking for a top-6 forward, preferrably a centre, and another defenseman. Tim Sassone suggests they could send goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and defenseman Cam Barker to the minors, but they have both played well. Brochu's take: Like Sassone said, the Hawks are pushing the cap as it is. Unless they trade someone off their roster or demote them to the minors, they won't be making any moves. Source
As you can see, Brochu is Hockey has a new look. It's been coming for a long time, and I hope you like it. It's a bit streamlined now, and I've optimized the site for widescreen monitors. Some of the links may not work, and some details need to be ironed out but overall, I think it looks really good. If some of you can't see the new look, I suggest clearing your cache. Feel free to leave a comment.
Thanks to everyone who have visited the site over the last few years! Hopefully, this new look will take Brochu is Hockey to the next level, whatever that is. ;-) Look out for new features in the next couple of weeks.
Now let's back to what you're here for, rumours!
Another Sunday edition of Bruce Garrioch's "Rumours Du Jour":
Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer (of CSI fame) has backed off on its interest in building an arena in Las Vegas and has pulled its bid off the table.
Brendan Shanahan could be headed to the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche or the Carolina Hurricanes. Brochu's take: Rumor is that Shanny wants to stay in the East, so that rules out Colorado.
The Anaheim Ducks may be shopping forward Chris Kunitz in order to make room for Mats Sundin. Brochu's take: Kunitz is probably on the market, but there's not much interest in him.
"Expect to see the Sabres move [forward] Ales Kotalik, who is making $2.5 million, before the March 4 trade deadline." Brochu's take: They might, but again the market is not strong for underperforming forwards with big cap hits.
"[Vancouver Canucks GM Mike]Gillis was telling anybody who would listen last week he is not going to trade [defenseman] Mattias Ohlund. As I told Gillis in an e-mail, he can deny he won't deal Ohlund all he wants, but if he doesn't get him signed before the trade deadline, then a move is a strong possibility. Oddly enough, Gillis admitted that "teams have called" on all his players and that means there's interest. He can't deny that." Brochu's take: That could be said about any player that has an expiring contract this season! And I could say that all 29 teams have interest in Sidney Crosby, and there's "no denying that".
The Anaheim Ducks have apparently jumped into the Mats Sundin sweepstakes: Brochu's take: I'll file this under "SC", as in salary cap.
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Senators are pushing hard for a puck-moving defenseman, and may be willing to part with a roster player. Garrioch suggests that the Sens could part with forward Mike Fisher or Antoine Vermette, who have both under-performed this season. Brochu's take: Fisher isn't going anywhere, but Vermette's name has been in the rumour mill for some time. Maybe the Hawks will come calling? Source
The "Between the Circles" blog on the Chicago Daily Herald website is reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks are looking for a top-6 forward, preferrably a centre, and another defenseman. Tim Sassone suggests they could send goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and defenseman Cam Barker to the minors, but they have both played well. Brochu's take: Like Sassone said, the Hawks are pushing the cap as it is. Unless they trade someone off their roster or demote them to the minors, they won't be making any moves. Source
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