Carter to Columbus?

With Nikolai Zherdev firmly entrenched in Russia and with no sign of blinking, GM Doug MacLean has made calls to other teams and free agents to address the RW situation on his team. Columbus' payroll sits at a comfortable level around 28 million, and MacLean wants to fit Carter onto the team without going too high, as he wants to get a piece of the revenue sharing. When asked in The Columbia Dispatch newspaper if Zherdev would sign in the next week or so, MacLean blunted stated, "I doubt it." The Columbus Dispatch

The NY-EDM rumour would most likely involve an exchange of prospects. However, the Oilers are specifically asking for Fedor Tyutin.

Sources close to both Los Angeles and New Jersey indicate the two teams have been talking very closely the last few weeks.

Matvichuk to San Jose, Hamhuis update

Late reports coming from New Jersey are indicating that Richard Matvichuk is heading to San Jose. This could be the beginning of a payroll exodus from New Jersey, as GM Lou Lamoriello is trying to find salary cap room to sign Brian Gionta, Paul Martin and David Hale. Also, expect the Gomez rumours to heat up in the next week or two.

According to sources close to Dmitri Kalinin, he will sign a one year contract with Buffalo.

The Hamhuis-Edmonton rumours have picked up steam since the Dumont signing. GM David Poile has said, "We're safely under the cap (maximum), but we're certainly at — if not over — our own personal budget, so I think if there are any future transactions, they'll probably be more in the form of a trade, as opposed to a separate acquisition.'' The Tennessean

Tanabe to Carolina, Isbister close

As reported on this site, David Tanabe has signed with Carolina. The deal is a one-year, $900,000 contract. TSN

Brad Isbister is also close to signing with the Hurricanes.

Dumont to Nashville

JP Dumont will be playing his hockey in Nashville. TSN reports the deal at two years, 4.5 million. This adds fire to the Hamhuis to Edmonton rumours I keep getting. Link

Eric Daze is healthy again. Montreal, Chicago and St. Louis are interested in his services. The over/under odds in Vegas on games he will play this year is 10.

Brian Leetch is still looking to sign. According to sources, he's narrowed it down to 3 teams: the Rangers, the Islanders and the Bruins.

Hamhuis to Edmonton

Reports coming from Nashville are indicating GM David Poile is having trouble signing RFA Dan Hamhuis. Lowe in Edmonton is actively seeking a top defenseman, and talks have gone on between the two teams. My sources tell me that this is close to happening, around 63%. Tennessean Article

Jan Hrdina has signed in Sweden for HV 71. Link

The Vancouver Canucks are in need of a backup for Roberto Luongo. The list of rumoured goalies is Wade Flaherty, Steve Shields, Mike Dunham, Brian Boucher and Scott Clemensen. There are also news coming from Vancouver that they are trying to get Jani Hurme to escape his contract in Finland to play in the NHL.

Yanic Perreault to Chicago

Chicago is interested in signing Yanic Perreault.

David Tanabe has been spotted lunching with the GM of the Carolina Hurricanes. Obviously, this leads to speculation that he will sign with them.

The Canucks will announce on Monday or Tuesday the re-signing of Trevor Linden to a one year, $750,000 deal.

The Canucks are also interested in bringing Oleg Kvasha.

The Edmonton/NY Rangers deal is to involve 6 players. More on this later. Expect a veteran defenseman to head over to Edm.

PJ Axelsson to Ottawa

According the the balding fatass Bruce Garrioch, the Ottawa Senators are interested in acquiring PJ Axelsson. In exchange, they would send Anton Volchenkov.

http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Senato...77397-sun.html

Columbus has become the frontrunner in the JP Dumont sweepstakes.

According to a NJ source, Brian Gionta will sign a deal and then be traded to LA for Alexander Frolov and a draft pick. More to come on this.

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed Johan Franzen.

Garth Snow will be announcing the signing of Rick DiPietro in the next week or so.

There are rumblings of a big trade between Edmonton and the New York Rangers.

Zherdev to Toronto

Zherdev to Toronto for Matt Stajan and a 1st round pick.

Jason Allison to sign a deal with Atlanta.

Matt Cooke for Michel Ouellet.

Anson Carter is close to a deal with Detroit.