There's a rumor from Russian paper Sport-Express that RSL club Vityaz Chekhov is close to signing Minnesota Wild forward Chris Simon to a contract for 2008-2009. Brochu's take: There may not be many NHL teams that would want Simon and his baggage. Plus, anytime you can play for a team with the name "Chekhov", you take it. Source
Rumors are that the Toronto Maple Leafs may decide to keep defenseman Pavel Kubina instead of trading him. The small window where his NTC is no longer valid has opened up after the Leafs were officially eliminated from the playoffs. Brochu's take: His good play down the stretch will get the Leafs more in return. He's good as gone this summer.
The Boston Bruins tried to move forward Peter Shaefer at the trade deadline, but found no takers. Brochu's take: They'll try again this summer, or may consider a buy-out.
The Phoenix Coyotes have signed top prospect Kyle Turris to an entry-level contract. He will join the Coyotes for their final three games. Brochu's take: Turris will be the front-runner for the Calder Trophy next season. With the great young talent in Phoenix, Wayne Gretzky's team has a chance to make the playoffs in 2008-2009.
The Florida Panthers have signed forward Andrew Sweetland to an entry-level contract. Sweetland’s success at the University of Maine garnered interest from several NHL clubs. The Calgary Flames scouted him extensively while he was rumoured to be close to a deal with the San Jose Sharks two weeks ago. Source
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Afino-gone-ov?
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News is reporting that the Buffalo Sabres should trade forward Maxim Afinogenov. Gleason notes his eight years of relative sub-par productivity and his contract ($3.5 million for another season) as factors to get rid of him. Brochu's take: Maybe Afinogenov would benefit from a change of scenery. He has speed to burn, but his hands have never caught up to him. Source
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Jon Kalinski from Michigan State University to an entry-level contract. He will join the AHL Philly Phantoms for the remainder of the season.
The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Jeff Penner from the Unversity of Alaska-Fairbanks to an entry-level contract. He will join the AHL Providence Bruins next week.
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
According to Swedish sources, Linköping forward Tony Mårtensson is rumoured to be signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brochu's take: Martensson led the SEL in points with 17 goals and 50 assists. He could provide the Blue Jackets with some much needed offense. Source
Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Travis Roche will leave the organization and play for SC Bern of the Swiss Nationalliga A for 2008-2009.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Micki DuPont will leave the organization and play for EV Zug of the Swiss Nationalliga A for 2008-2009.
There's a rumor that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja might sign with SEL club Malmo. Brochu's take: This might be an option more than anything. Lilja will probably sign with the Wings this summer.
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Jon Kalinski from Michigan State University to an entry-level contract. He will join the AHL Philly Phantoms for the remainder of the season.
The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Jeff Penner from the Unversity of Alaska-Fairbanks to an entry-level contract. He will join the AHL Providence Bruins next week.
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
According to Swedish sources, Linköping forward Tony Mårtensson is rumoured to be signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brochu's take: Martensson led the SEL in points with 17 goals and 50 assists. He could provide the Blue Jackets with some much needed offense. Source
Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Travis Roche will leave the organization and play for SC Bern of the Swiss Nationalliga A for 2008-2009.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Micki DuPont will leave the organization and play for EV Zug of the Swiss Nationalliga A for 2008-2009.
There's a rumor that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja might sign with SEL club Malmo. Brochu's take: This might be an option more than anything. Lilja will probably sign with the Wings this summer.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Leafs to buy out Tucker, Blake?
On the intermission program "The Hotstove" during CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Al Strachan stated that the Toronto Maple Leafs will definitely buy out Darcy Tucker's contract and will likely buy out Jason Blake's contract as well. Scott Morrison speculated that Blake could be traded sometime this summer, as well as Bryan McCabe, who is rumored to accept a trade to the New York Islanders. Brochu's take: The buy-out is the new buzzword in Toronto. Tucker's contract is relatively manageable and I doubt that he would get bought out. Moving Blake and McCabe's contracts would be easier and better off in the long run.
The Leafs also signed forward Kyle Rogers to a two-year, entry level contract. He will the AHL Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the season and playoffs. Brochu's take: Rogers was pursued by many teams, and is a good step for the re-building Leafs. Source
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero is unsure if he could re-sign forward Marian Hossa. When asked about the situation, he responded "I don't know. If I had to look into a crystal ball, it would be a little cloudy." Brochu's take: Hossa knows he is the top free agent this summer and could get a better contract if he goes to free agency. I can only see Hossa re-signing with the Pens if they make a deep run in the playoffs. Source
The newspapers in Florida speculate that the Florida Panthers will be making several important decisions this summer. GM and head coach Jacques Martin and franchise forward Olli Jokinen have butted heads this season, and one or both of them could be gone. Brochu's take: My feeling is Martin is good as gone. As for Jokinen, several teams will make a run for him and the Panthers will have to seriously address if the packages are enough to trade him.
The Dallas Stars have signed forward Raymond Sawada to a two-year, entry level contract and assigned him to the AHL Iowa Stars.
The Washington Capitals have signed center Mathieu Perreault to a three-year contract, entry level contract.
The Leafs also signed forward Kyle Rogers to a two-year, entry level contract. He will the AHL Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the season and playoffs. Brochu's take: Rogers was pursued by many teams, and is a good step for the re-building Leafs. Source
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero is unsure if he could re-sign forward Marian Hossa. When asked about the situation, he responded "I don't know. If I had to look into a crystal ball, it would be a little cloudy." Brochu's take: Hossa knows he is the top free agent this summer and could get a better contract if he goes to free agency. I can only see Hossa re-signing with the Pens if they make a deep run in the playoffs. Source
The newspapers in Florida speculate that the Florida Panthers will be making several important decisions this summer. GM and head coach Jacques Martin and franchise forward Olli Jokinen have butted heads this season, and one or both of them could be gone. Brochu's take: My feeling is Martin is good as gone. As for Jokinen, several teams will make a run for him and the Panthers will have to seriously address if the packages are enough to trade him.
The Dallas Stars have signed forward Raymond Sawada to a two-year, entry level contract and assigned him to the AHL Iowa Stars.
The Washington Capitals have signed center Mathieu Perreault to a three-year contract, entry level contract.
Shremp rumor update, Jagr to Russia?
According to to Oilers blog The Pipeline Show Blog, Rob Schremp's agent Scott Norton has denied that Schremp has had any real contact with Swedish teams. Norton believes that a person on the internet contacted Shremp about the possibility of playing in Europe in general terms, but there has been no official contact from any club. Norton did admit that Schremp is "not happy" with his current situation. Brochu's take: The Edmonton Oilers may have to deal with Schremp sometime this summer, and may have to decide if he is part of their future. Schremp could be used as a trading chip in the off-season, as he is pursued by several teams.
New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr is scheduled to meet with Russian team Avangard Omsk this weekend to discuss a contract for next year. Rangers GM Glen Sather is already scheduled to meet Omsk GM Anatoly Bardin about prospect Alexei Cherepanov coming to North America. With Jagr scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer because he failed to meet performance bonuses, he may be too pricey for the Rangers to re-sign. Brochu's take: This could be a bargaining tactic by Jagr to get a better contract, but he does genuinely like playing in Russia. Cherepanov stated in a previous interview that he would remain in Russia for another year, but it's possible that the Rangers could arrange an agreement to get Cherepanov out of his contract with Omsk. Source
The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Cody Wild to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers also inked center Tim Sestito to a two-year contract extension. Source
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Spencer Machacek to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Thrashers are also trying to sign prospect Angelo Esposito to a contract before the summer, but GM Don Waddell says negotiations are "not close". Source
The Minnesota Wild have signed Colton Gillies to a three-year, $2.625 million deal, beginning with the 2008-09 season ($87,500 signing bonus each year). Gillies also signed an amateur tryout contract to finish the season with the AHL Houston Aeros. Source
The Minnesota Star Tribune is also reporting that the Wild will offer defenseman Kurtis Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract. Brochu's take: Foster has more things to worry about than a contract after that horrific leg injury. At around $1 million, that's a bargain.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Nick Holden to a three-year, entry-level contract. Brochu's take: The Jackets stole one here. Holden is going to be a good player in the NHL.
New York Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr is scheduled to meet with Russian team Avangard Omsk this weekend to discuss a contract for next year. Rangers GM Glen Sather is already scheduled to meet Omsk GM Anatoly Bardin about prospect Alexei Cherepanov coming to North America. With Jagr scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer because he failed to meet performance bonuses, he may be too pricey for the Rangers to re-sign. Brochu's take: This could be a bargaining tactic by Jagr to get a better contract, but he does genuinely like playing in Russia. Cherepanov stated in a previous interview that he would remain in Russia for another year, but it's possible that the Rangers could arrange an agreement to get Cherepanov out of his contract with Omsk. Source
The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Cody Wild to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Oilers also inked center Tim Sestito to a two-year contract extension. Source
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Spencer Machacek to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Thrashers are also trying to sign prospect Angelo Esposito to a contract before the summer, but GM Don Waddell says negotiations are "not close". Source
The Minnesota Wild have signed Colton Gillies to a three-year, $2.625 million deal, beginning with the 2008-09 season ($87,500 signing bonus each year). Gillies also signed an amateur tryout contract to finish the season with the AHL Houston Aeros. Source
The Minnesota Star Tribune is also reporting that the Wild will offer defenseman Kurtis Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract. Brochu's take: Foster has more things to worry about than a contract after that horrific leg injury. At around $1 million, that's a bargain.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Nick Holden to a three-year, entry-level contract. Brochu's take: The Jackets stole one here. Holden is going to be a good player in the NHL.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Schremp, Parenteau to play in Sweden?
According to a Swedish source, Edmonton Oilers prospect Rob Schremp is rumored to play in Sweden next year. The Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Elite League has apparently offered Schremp a contract for next year, somewhere in the 170, 000 Kronor a week (approximately US $28, 500). Brochu's take: Something tells me that this could be the work of Schremp's agent, who's seen his client overpassed by several other young Oiler prospects. There may be room for Schremp on the Oilers' roster next season, but if he doesn't make it, I don't think he will be satisfied playing in the AHL for another year. Source
The same source is saying the Redhawks have also offered a contract to New York Rangers prospect Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau. Brochu's take: Parenteau is having a great season with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring 31 goals and 42 assists in 68 games. This rumor may be a bargaining chip to remind the Rangers that he's there.
The Edmonton Oilers also have signed University of Alberta Golden Bears defenceman Harlan Anderson to an AHL amateur try-out contract. The Alberta team captain will join the Springfield Falcons this week. Source
The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Matt Jones to a two-way, entry-level contract. Jones just finished his second season with Merrimack College.
The Detroit Red Wings have signed Ferris State University goalie Mitch O'Keefe to an AHL try-out contract.
The same source is saying the Redhawks have also offered a contract to New York Rangers prospect Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau. Brochu's take: Parenteau is having a great season with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring 31 goals and 42 assists in 68 games. This rumor may be a bargaining chip to remind the Rangers that he's there.
The Edmonton Oilers also have signed University of Alberta Golden Bears defenceman Harlan Anderson to an AHL amateur try-out contract. The Alberta team captain will join the Springfield Falcons this week. Source
The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Matt Jones to a two-way, entry-level contract. Jones just finished his second season with Merrimack College.
The Detroit Red Wings have signed Ferris State University goalie Mitch O'Keefe to an AHL try-out contract.
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