Blackhawks showcasing Richmond?

The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled defenseman Danny Richmond from the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL on Sunday. Earlier this week, GM Dale Tallon admitted that Richmond was a possible candidate to be traded. The trade freeze ended Friday and Tallon also said he would begin to talk to teams about possible moves. "Seems we get one back and we lose two," Tallon said of injuries. "It looked like we were going to be really healthy there for a while. When that happens we'll be a much better team." Perhaps Richmond is being showcased? Source

The Denver Post is reporting that LA Kings defenseman Rob Blake would waive his no trade clause if he was asked. "(The Kings) would have to come to me first, but, yeah, it's a possibility," Blake said, after Saturday's 3-1 Kings victory over the Avs. Source

Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is looking for a puck-moving defenseman and an enforcer. It's believed he's made calls for Chicago Blackhawks tough guy David Koci. Could he be interested in Rob Blake? Source

Forward Darren McCarty will try to make a comeback to the NHL after signing with the Flint Generals of the IHL. The 35-year-old plans to practice with the International Hockey League team on Monday but must be cleared by the NHL before playing, the Generals announced Saturday. Hat-tip to the people over at HockeyFights.com and Kuklas Korner, who had this earlier than the major media outlets.

Brochu's European round-up:

Goaltender Fred Brathwaite has signed with Avangard Omsk of the Russian Super League. Brathwaite had left the Atlanta Thrashers affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, in December.

Forward Nathan Perrott has left the Toronto Marlies (Maple Leafs AHL affiliate) and signed with Vityaz Podolsk Chekhov of the Russian Super League. Source

Big rumour update

There are lots of trade rumors going around today, most of them from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

The Nashville Predators could look to move centre Jason Arnott.

The LA Kings are shopping defenseman Tom Preissing. The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes are interested. Garrioch also adds that Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is looking for another blueliner to help out Zdeno Chara. The New York Rangers are also shopping Paul Mara, and Garrioch believes that he would be a good fit in Boston because he is an ex-Bruin.

If the Edmonton Oilers don't re-sign defenseman Joni Pitkanen, there is "strong belief" that he could be moved by the trade deadline.

The Philadelphia Flyers are not happy with Steve Downie and could use him as tradebait.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in goaltender Ray Emery. Emery rumours continue to fly around the league.

The Ottawa Senators are still looking to move defenseman Joe Corvo.

Extension/Contract news, also from Garrioch:

Garrioch claims that sources tell him that Washington Capitals GM George McPhee "insulted" Alexander Ovechkin by offering a five-year, $37.5 million deal. Ovechkin rejected the offer and is believed to be seeking a $9-10 million a year contract.

Citing NHL agents, Garrioch claims Dion Phaneuf has turned down a 5 year, $30 million contract extension from the Calgary Flames. Phaneuf will become a RFA this summer.

Samsonov waived, Rangers interested in Ryder?

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Sergei Samsonov on waivers. This will free up some cap space for a possible trade. Source

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that the New York Rangers have definitely inquired about Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Ryder. Source

Finnish NHL players implicated in drug trafficking

The Agence France-Presse (AFP) is reporting that Finnish ice hockey players competing in the NHL have been implicated in a network of trafficking amphetamines recently uncovered in Finland and Estonia, as reported by the sports newspaper Urheilulehti. Police have refused to comment on the affair. "We have decided not to make public the results of the preliminary inquiry or the names of the people being questioned," the head of the enquiry Ari Karvonen said. The head of the Finnish Association of Ice Hockey Players however dismissed the newspaper claims. This story will continue to be updated as it breaks. Source

Ottawa Senators goaltender Ray Emery was sent home from practise because he was "ill". Emery's absence comes just one day after a stick-slamming outburst during an optional practice on Thursday, apparently venting some frustration with his lack of playing time. There were rumours of Emery being shopped earlier this season, and perhaps with this latest incident, GM Bryan Murray would consider offers for him. The usual suspects that would be interested are the LA Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Source

Sportsnet hockey analyst Pierre LeBrun reports that Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster has given the green light for Marc Denis and his agent to talk to other teams to see if anyone is interested. Feaster has assured that Denis will be recalled on re-entry waivers if a team is indeed interested. Denis is earning $2.8 million this year and will earn $3 million next year.

Rumors are hotter than ever that the Minnesota Wild will be sold to former Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold of Racine, Wis., within months. The Wild, who became an expansion franchise for $80 million eight years ago, could bring $225 million in a sale. Source

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