NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 31, 2009

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs are close to signing free agent forward Christian Hanson. The 23-year old Hanson has played the past four seasons with Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and is also the son of Dave Hanson of Slapshot fame. Brochu's take: Will he be puttin' on the foil? Source

The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Mark Mitera to a three-year, entry-level contract. Mitera was the Ducks' first round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and has been playing with the University of Michigan. Mitera will report to the AHL Iowa Chops. Source

The Ducks have also signed free agent forwar MacGregor Sharp to a two-year, two-way entry-level contract. Sharp has played the past four seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Brochu's take: He already has a great name for hockey. Source

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Cody Almond to an entry-level contract. Almond was the Wild's fifth round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and has played the past four seasons with the WHL Kelowna Rockets. Source

The Detroit Red Wings have signed free agent defenseman Sebastien Piche to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 21-year old has spent the last five seasons in the QMJHL. Source

The Boston Bruins have signed free agent forward Yannick Riendeau to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year old has spend the last five seasons in the QMJHL. Brochu's take: On hockeydb.com, he also spend time in France playing for Chamonix? Source

The San Jose Sharks have signed free agent defenseman Joe Loprieno to an entry-level contract. The 22-year old has spend the past three seasons with Merrimack College of the NCAA. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 30, 2009

The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Nick Petrecki to a three-year, entry-level contract. Petrecki, the Sharks first round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has played the last two seasons with Boston College. Brochu's take: This isn't "official", but will be announced this week. Source

According to Darren Dreger's blog on TSN, free agent forward Tyler Bozak is expected to sign a contract this week. Up to 26 NHL teams are interested in the University of Denver forward. Brochu's take: Your guess is as good as mine, but if you want my opinion, he'll go to a team that will offer an immediate spot on their roster. He will sign a two-year entry-level contract with bonuses.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There's a rumor from Sweden that Boston Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson will leave the organization in the summer and sign with SEL club Frolunda. Axelsson will be a UFA this summer. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Niclas Havelid is also rumoured to be leaving for Sweden and signing with Vasteras in the summer. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 28, 2009

The Dallas Stars have signed goalie Richard Bachman to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 21 year old was the Stars' fourth round (No. 120 overall) pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, and has spend the last two seasons with Colorado College of the NCAA. Source

The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Ryan Stoa to an entry-level contract. The 21 year old was the Avs second round pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and spent the four seasons with the University of Minnesota in the WCHA. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free agent defenseman Jay Harrison for the rest of the 2008-2009 season. Harrison just finished the season with Zug of the Swiss Nationalliga A. Brochu's take: I don't quite understand Burke's signing of free agents after the trade deadline. Is it just to fill the lineup with warm bodies? Source

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Mark Letestu to a two-year contract. Brochu's take: An AHL depth signing. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 27, 2009

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Jamie McBain to a three-year, entry-level contract. McBain was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and played for the University of Wisconsin for the past three seasons. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed free agent goalie Johan Backlund to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old Backlund has appeared in 49 games with Timra of the Swedish Elite League this season, posting a 2.56 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and four shutouts. Source

There's a rumor that the Columbus Blue Jackets are among the top teams in the running for coveted free agent forward Tyler Bozak.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen is getting interest from several NHL teams. Lehtonen plays for Timra of the SEL, and had 15 goals and 15 assists in 41 games this season. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Mar 26, 2009

The Washington Capitals have signed free agent defenseman Zach Miskovic to a one-year contract. The 23-year old has spent the past four seasons with St. Lawrence University of the NCAA. Source

According to RDS, the Colorado Avalanche have signed free agent forward Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll to a three-year entry level contract. The 20-year old has spent five seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. Source