NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 9, 2009

According to TSN, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly admits that Jim Balsillie's bid for the Phoenix Coyotes caught league officials by surprise and says there have been three offers to keep the team in Arizona. "He makes his own decisions and he's making a decision that this is the way he wants to get into the National Hockey League." Daly said. "We don't usually like to pick fights, but we end them." Daly was also named the temporary CEO of the Coyotes on Friday. In the meantime, the city of Hamilton has confirmed talks with Balsillie's camp, and expressed their interest in getting the Coyotes. Brochu's take: Get your popcorn ready, folks. It seems like this is Balsillie's Last Stand of getting an NHL franchise, and he's going to fight until the end. As for the NHL, did they not in early March claim they weren't in control of the Coyotes? And Daly's comments on owner Jerry Moyes seemed contradictory, since Moyes is looking for the best deal for himself, not the creditors. Source

The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Erik Karlsson to a three-year, entry-level contract. Karlsson was the Sens' first round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrick Roy met with Colorado Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix on Thursday, but it's unknown what was discussed. Roy has been rumored to be coming back to the Avs organization in some fashion, possibly for the vacant GM job.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The three frontrunners to land Swedish free agent goalie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson appears to be the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 6, 2009

Research-in-Motion CEO Jim Balsillie has made a formal offer of $212.5 million dollars to buy out the suddenly bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, and move them into the southern Ontario market. It's believed that Balsillie would put the team in Hamilton for the time being. But late Tuesday night the NHL signalled its intention to fight Balsillie every step of the way and insisted it — not the Coyotes' current owner — will determine the fortunes of the team. The NHL has removed Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes from all positions of authority with the club. Brochu's take: If you've been reading my blog over the years, you know I'm a supporter of Balsillie. I think commissioner Gary Bettman should step aside and stop blocking Balsillie. It's unfortunate for Coyotes fans, but I think a profitable team in the greater Toronto area would increase even more interest in the NHL. More on this over the next few days as the story develops. Source

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel to a three-year, entry-level contract. Pierro-Zabotel was the Pen's third round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The New York Rangers have signed free agent forward Jordan Owens to a contract.

The Dallas Stars have signed forward Michael Neal to a three-year, entry-level contract. Neal was Dallas’ fifth-round selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Canadian Press is reporting that Alexander Medvedev, the billionaire owner of Russia's KHL is interested in buying an NHL franchise. "We have considered 10 opportunities, we have short-listed three and we continue to look at these three teams," Medvedev said Tuesday at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. "We will just make our due diligence. It's a very strange situation when real hockey [cities] like Quebec don't have an NHL team." Medvedev is expected to meet with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly next week. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 5, 2009

According to RDS, the Montreal Canadiens have contacted Marc Crawford for the head coach position. Crawford is currently doing colour commentary on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. Brochu's take: Crawford also speaks a little bit of French, so that will help him out. Source

The latest name in the rumor mill for the vacant GM position of the Minnesota Wild appears to be Pierre McGuire. Brochu's take: If that indeed happens, I expect Dion Phaneuf, Zach Parise and Carey Price being traded to the Wild at once.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Slovakian hockey team HC Kosice has targeted New York Islanders forward Tomas Marcinko and Los Angeles Kings forward Vladimir Dravecky for the 2009-2010 season. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Niclas Havelid has been linked with a number of Swedish teams, including Linkoping, Sodertalje and Timra. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 4, 2009

According to the New York Post, Markus Naslund has retired from the NHL at the age of 35. Naslund notified New York Rangers GM Glen Sather of his decision at an exit interview on Thursday. The Rangers have not commented on the newspaper report. Naslund still has one year remaining on his contract, worth $3 million. Brochu's take: Naslund was once amongst the top 3 players in the league. However, he's never really been the same since the Steve Moore hit.

The San Jose Sharks have signed forward John McCarthy to a two-year, entry-level contract. McCarthy was the Sharks' 7th round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

According to TSN, the Philadelphia Flyers have had significant discussions with Ray Emery's agent, J.P. Barry, about a return to the NHL. Emery played in Russia last season in the Kontinental Hockey League with Atlant Mytischi and has a lucrative offer on the table to return to the KHL with the same club. The Flyers have been rumored to be looking to improve their goaltending position, and they are also interested in Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson and Atlanta Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen. Brochu's take: There's also rumors that the Edmonton Oilers are looking closely at the young netminder. Source

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting the Blackhawks and free agent-to-be forward Martin Havlat are discussing a 8-10 year contract extension. Brochu's take: While Havlat finally had an injury-free season, his questionable injury history should scare any team off a long-term offer like that. The Hawks would be making a big mistake if they did that. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Buffalo Sabres goalie Mikael Tellqvist has left the organization and has signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan for the 2009-2010 season.

Weekend rumor roundup for May 2-3, 2009

The New York Rangers have re-signed goalie Steve Valiquette to a one-year, $725,000 contract. Source

Here's some of the latest rumors from CBC's Hockey Night in Canada intermission program, The Hotstove:

Al Strachan reported that there are rumors that Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon could be on his way. Strachan cites friction between Tallon and president John McDonough, and McDonough might want to bring his own guy on the team.

The Hotstove panel also reported that Mike O'Connell, David McNabb and Chuck Fletcher are rumored to be in the mix for the Minnesota Wild GM position.

Pierre LeBrun reported that contract talks between the Vancouver Canucks and the Sedin brothers are not going well, and three NHL teams are very interested in landing them both in the free agent market this summer. The Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs all have the cap space and interest in the Swedish twins. Brochu's take: I still think Vancouver will sign them both in the summer, at slightly less than market value.

According to the CBC panel, if the New York Islanders take defenseman Victor Hedman first overall in the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning would consider trading the 2nd overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Tomas Kaberle and Luke Schenn. Consequently, the Leafs would take John Tavares. Brochu's take: That would be one crazy proposal. There's a lot of speculation that the Islanders could be edging towards taking Hedman, so there's a real possibilty that this could happen. LeBrun reports that Lightning owner Oren Koules was scouting another top draft pick, Matt Duchene tonight.