The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Michael Ryan to a one-year contract. He was actually signed to KHL team Dinamo Minsk, but he never made the team.
According to Sport-Express Daily, an English-language paper in Russia, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens are the two teams most interested in Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk. Both GMs Cliff Fletcher and Bob Gainey approached Atlanta GM Don Waddell at the general managers meetings in Chicago. Brochu's take: The Canadiens do want to make a splash this season, but unless they have $7 million in imaginary cap space, they are not getting Kovalchuk. And the Leafs don't have anyone in their team or farm system that would interest the Thrashers. Source
The St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that the Blues have contacted Brendan Shanahan's agent about his client's interest in signing with the team. The Blues have not made a formal contract offer. Source
The Montreal Canadiens have suspended defenseman Pavel Valentenko without pay on Friday after the prospect left the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League to sign a three-year contract with Dynamo Moscow. The matter has been referred to the IIHF.
The Team 1040 radio in Vancouver reported that Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough was in attendance at Friday's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. Brochu's take: You have to wonder why he was there, as the Wild don't play the Canucks or Ducks until December. Maybe they were there to talk about a trade...perhaps Marian Gaborik? Just wondering...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 31, 2008
The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Daniel Alfredsson to a four-year, $21.6 million contract extension. Brochu's take: A definite home town discount, considering Alfie's numbers. Will this set the bar for future contracts? I don't think so.
The Philadelphia Flyers have traded defenseman Tim Ramholt to the Nashville Predators for forward Josh Gratton. Brochu's take: Could this open up a roster spot for a new defenseman? Seems strange that the Flyers are trading a defensman when they need all they can get.
The Predators also acquired forward Hugh Jessiman from the New York Rangers for future considerations.
The St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Chris Holt to a contract.
Marty York of Metro News believes that Mats Sundin will sign a "megabucks" deal with the Ottawa Senators and Brendan Shanahan will sign with the New Jersey Devils within the week. Brochu's take: The Senators have cap issues still, so that's not going to happen. Rumors of Shanny heading back to his old team(s) have been heating up. Source
Mats Sundin was spotted watching the Vancouver Canucks - Los Angeles Kings game on Thursday night. Sundin has been in LA for the past week getting back in shape.
Brochu's European rumour roundup:
The Moscow Dynamo website reports that Montreal Canadiens defenseman Pavel Valentenko has signed a three-year deal with the KHL club. The Habs had allowed Valentenko to fly to Russia for family reasons, but was completely unaware of the signing. Brochu's take: So much for the ceasefire between the NHL and KHL. Source
The Philadelphia Flyers have traded defenseman Tim Ramholt to the Nashville Predators for forward Josh Gratton. Brochu's take: Could this open up a roster spot for a new defenseman? Seems strange that the Flyers are trading a defensman when they need all they can get.
The Predators also acquired forward Hugh Jessiman from the New York Rangers for future considerations.
The St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Chris Holt to a contract.
Marty York of Metro News believes that Mats Sundin will sign a "megabucks" deal with the Ottawa Senators and Brendan Shanahan will sign with the New Jersey Devils within the week. Brochu's take: The Senators have cap issues still, so that's not going to happen. Rumors of Shanny heading back to his old team(s) have been heating up. Source
Mats Sundin was spotted watching the Vancouver Canucks - Los Angeles Kings game on Thursday night. Sundin has been in LA for the past week getting back in shape.
Brochu's European rumour roundup:
The Moscow Dynamo website reports that Montreal Canadiens defenseman Pavel Valentenko has signed a three-year deal with the KHL club. The Habs had allowed Valentenko to fly to Russia for family reasons, but was completely unaware of the signing. Brochu's take: So much for the ceasefire between the NHL and KHL. Source
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 30, 2008
On XM's NHL Live, ex-Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster reported a rumour that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Thrashers have entered "major" trade discussions. Brochu's take: No names yet, but stay tuned.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Alex Grant to an entry-level contract.
According to Al Strachan on The Score, there's talk that Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke may end up with the New York Rangers or Boston Bruins, instead of the Toronto Maple Leafs job. Strachan also speculated that current Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher will stay longer than expected and become the permanent general manager.
Free agent forward Brendan Shanahan has told his agent Rick Curran that he will no longer wait for the New York Rangers to offer a contract, and will put himself on the open market. Brochu's take: There's been some speculation that the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are interested in the veteran winger. Source
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
According to Swiss sources, free agent forward Martin Gelinas is in contract negotiations with Nationalliga A teams SC Bern and EHC Biel. Gelinas has been hoping to sign with an NHL team. Source
The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Alexander Vasyunov to an entry-level contract. Vasyunov has already played two games with KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. Brochu's take: Vasyunov has been assigned to Lowell in the AHL. I assume he must have had an out-clause.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Alex Grant to an entry-level contract.
According to Al Strachan on The Score, there's talk that Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke may end up with the New York Rangers or Boston Bruins, instead of the Toronto Maple Leafs job. Strachan also speculated that current Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher will stay longer than expected and become the permanent general manager.
Free agent forward Brendan Shanahan has told his agent Rick Curran that he will no longer wait for the New York Rangers to offer a contract, and will put himself on the open market. Brochu's take: There's been some speculation that the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are interested in the veteran winger. Source
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
According to Swiss sources, free agent forward Martin Gelinas is in contract negotiations with Nationalliga A teams SC Bern and EHC Biel. Gelinas has been hoping to sign with an NHL team. Source
The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Alexander Vasyunov to an entry-level contract. Vasyunov has already played two games with KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. Brochu's take: Vasyunov has been assigned to Lowell in the AHL. I assume he must have had an out-clause.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 29, 2008
Marty York of Metro News is reporting rumors that the Edmonton Oilers are trying to trade a goaltender for a "hard-nosed forward. or two." York quotes two NHL sources that the Oilers are dangling one of their three goalies as trade bait. The Oilers currently have Dwayne Roloson, Mathieu Garon and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers on their roster. Brochu's take: I doubt that the Oilers are shopping Garon or Drouin-Deslauriers, but they have been shopping Roloson for a long time. Source
The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed defenseman Ken Klee off re-entry waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks will pick up half of Klee's salary.
The Florida Panthers have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore to a one-year contract.
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
Defenseman Konstantin Pushkarev has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian KHL. The Dallas Stars released Pushkarev earlier this month.
Russian sources are reporting that the Colorado Avalanche may be interested in signing goaltender Ray Emery once the KHL season is over. Brochu's take: There may be better goalies available next summer.
Poll Results:
Should the NHL expand to Europe?
Total votes: 138
Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!!
The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed defenseman Ken Klee off re-entry waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks will pick up half of Klee's salary.
The Florida Panthers have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore to a one-year contract.
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
Defenseman Konstantin Pushkarev has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian KHL. The Dallas Stars released Pushkarev earlier this month.
Russian sources are reporting that the Colorado Avalanche may be interested in signing goaltender Ray Emery once the KHL season is over. Brochu's take: There may be better goalies available next summer.
Poll Results:
Should the NHL expand to Europe?
Yes | 14 (10%) |
No | 114 (82%) |
Who cares? | 10 (7%) |
Total votes: 138
Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 28, 2008
The Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Ken Klee on re-entry waivers.
The Atlanta Thrashers have placed forward Mike Hoffman on waivers.
According to Tim Sassone's "Between the Circles" blog on the Chicago Daily Herald website, the Chicago Blackhawks are one of the teams interested in Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza., who is rumored to be on the block. Brochu's take: I thought the Spezza rumors died down once he signed that huge extension. Again, the small issue of the salary cap stands in the way of this rumour. Source
The Atlanta Thrashers have placed forward Mike Hoffman on waivers.
According to Tim Sassone's "Between the Circles" blog on the Chicago Daily Herald website, the Chicago Blackhawks are one of the teams interested in Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza., who is rumored to be on the block. Brochu's take: I thought the Spezza rumors died down once he signed that huge extension. Again, the small issue of the salary cap stands in the way of this rumour. Source
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