NHL and hockey rumors for May 27, 2008

According to Swedish reports, Luleå forward Lubos Bartecko is getting some interest from several NHL teams. The Slovakian scored 16 goals and 27 assists in 48 games for the Swedish club. Brochu's take: Rumor has it that the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild are interested, as are his previous NHL teams, the St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers. Source

According to Metro News, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM job will be given to one of two candidates: Doug Armstrong or Neil Smith. TSN is reporting that Armstrong will be interviewed by MLSE this week, while Marty York cites "irrefutable sources" that Armstrong will be the winner. Brochu's take: A good choice on the Leafs part if this is true. Armstrong built the Dallas Stars team that went to the Western Conference finals. Source

York is also reporting that Dave Nonis will be hired as the GM of either the St. Louis Blues or the Atlanta Thrashers this week.

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

There are rumors that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Dmitri Kalinin could be signing with a Russian team for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Defenseman Bruno St. Jacques will be leaving the Anaheim Ducks organization and will play with ERC Ingolstadt in Germany for the 2008-2009 season. Source

There's speculation that Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Fredrik Norrena could be joining Ässät in Finland. Source