Waiver Wackiness!

It seems half of the NHL was put on waivers today! But here's a wrap-up. I've left some off for a subsequent post.

The New York Rangers have claimed Sean Avery off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars.

The Calgary Flames have claimed defenseman Lawrence Nycholat off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.

The New York Rangers have also placed forwards Aaron Voros and defenseman Erik Reitz on waivers.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed forward Brendan Morrison on waivers.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Miroslav Satan on waivers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed forward Gary Roberts on waivers.

The Atlanta Thrashers have placed forward Eric Perrin on waivers.

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Craig Adams on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed forward Jon Sim on waivers.

NJ/Atlanta trade, Avery on waivers, more players on waivers

The Atlanta Thrashers have traded defenceman Niclas Havelid and forward Myles Stoesz to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for blueliner Anssi Salmela.

The Dallas Stars have officially put Sean Avery on re-entry waivers. Brochu's take: We won't know until tomorrow if the New York Rangers picked him up, or some other NHL team.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Andrew Conboy to a three-year, entry-level contract. Conboy was suspended by Michigan State University this season for an attack on a Michigan player during a game.

The Los Angeles Kings have placed defenseman Tom Preissing on waivers.

The New York Islanders have placed defenseman Joe Callahan on waivers.

The Vancouver Canucks have placed defenseman Lawrence Nycholat on waivers.

The Phoenix Coyotes have placed forward Steve Goertzen on waivers.

The Pittsburg Penguins have placed forward Bill Thomas on waivers.

Canucks claim Vaananen, Habs claim Metropolit

The Vancouver Canucks have claimed defenseman Ossi Vaananen off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. Brochu's take: A depth move, or a prelude to a trade of a Canucks defenseman?

The Montreal Canadiens have claimed forward Glen Metropolit off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers.

TSN is reporting that the Dallas Stars will place Sean Avery on re-entry waivers on Monday. It's expected the New York Rangers will pick him up. Brochu's take: Unless someone else picks him up before the Rangers can, which might happen.

The Montreal Canadiens have placed defenseman Doug Janik on waivers.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 11, 2009

After clearing waivers, the Dallas Stars have assigned forward Sean Avery to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. It's presumed that after several games, the Stars will re-call Avery through re-entry waivers, and the Rangers will pick him up. Brochu's take: Of course, it's entirely possible, if not probable, that some other NHL team will pick up Avery before the Rangers get a chance. Also, like Bob McKenzie says in his blog, the Stars could just keep Avery in the minors as long as possible and not make a decision at all.

The Edmonton Oilers have denied a local report that forward Jaromir Jagr is close to joining the team. According to the Edmonton Journal, a Czech source says Jagr is close to finalizing a deal that would see him join the Oilers for the remainder of the season. Jagr is currently playing with KHL team Avangard Omsk. Brochu's take: Not only that, he would have to clear waivers before he can come back to the NHL. Jagr does not have an out clause in his three-year contract with Omsk, but it's quite possible that he could sign with Edmonton in the summer. The Oilers offered a contract last summer, and with the KHL facing economic uncertainty, Jagr could contemplate a return to the NHL. Source

There's been a lot of speculation that the Anaheim Ducks are looking to shop defenseman Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. According to NJ.com, the New Jersey Devils could be interested in both players. Brochu's take: I think the Ducks will hang on to Pronger. As for Niedermayer, it's unknown if he wants to return in 2009-2010. But rumors are that he would be willing to accept a trade to four teams: The Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and the Devils. Source

According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey held a meeting with the coaching staff in Montreal before the team left for its six-game road trip this week. LeBrun believes that the Canadiens will be active, and will be willing to trade some of their young assets or some of their impending free agents to "right the ship." Brochu's take: Tomas Plekanec's name has been tossed around the rumor mill, with the Chicago Blackhawks the most interested. Source

Lightning/Hurricanes trade, Avery on waivers

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded forward Jussi Jokinen to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Wade Brookbank, Josef Melichar and a fourth-round draft pick in 2009. Brochu's take: A pretty even hockey trade. Jokinen earns $1.81 million, while Melichar and Brookbank make a combined $1.475 million. The Bolts get a nice extra draft pick for taking on an extra contract. Source

The Dallas Stars have placed forward Sean Avery on waivers. Brochu's take: His journey back to New York City begins.

The Toronto Sun is reporting that New York Rangers scout Rick Kehoe has been following the Calgary Flames across the continent. Flames GM Darryl Sutter is said to have liked Rangers forward Nigel Dawes in the past. Brochu's take: Dawes could be available at the right price. Source

Nashville Predators scout Ray Knickle continues to monitor the Calgary Flames. The Flames might be willing to part with forward Matthew Lombardi for a defenceman such as Dan Hamhuis, writer Mike Zeisberger suggests. Brochu's take: I don't think Calgary needs another defenseman, and the loss of Lombardi would really kill their depth. Look for the Flames to add to their roster, not subtract.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 7, 2009

The Washington Capitals have claimed defenseman Staffan Kronwall off re-entry waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The St. Louis Blues have placed goalie Manny Legace on waivers, with the intention to send him to the AHL. Brochu's take: Hmm, didn't see this coming. There's a small possibility that the Detroit Red Wings might pick him up.

According to New York reports, the Rangers are looking to re-acquiring forward Sean Avery from the Dallas Stars. GM Glen Sather accompanied the team to Dallas to speak with Stars co-GM Les Jackson. Avery is about to come off a "behaviour modification" program, and would be eligible to play in the NHL soon. The plan is put Avery on waivers, assign him to the Rangers AHL affiliate in Hartford, and see if he fits into the plan. Then, the Stars would call him up through re-entry waivers, and the Rangers would pick him up and pay half the salary owed to Avery. Brochu's take: A complicated plan, this is. The Stars don't have an AHL affiliate at the moment. If this was to take place, the Rangers are assuming that no other NHL team will pick up Avery on waivers. Rumors are that this is not necessarily the case. Source

Rumours continue to swirl that the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade goaltender Vesa Toskala at the trade deadline. This has come on the heels that both the coach and GM have called him out in consecutive days. Brochu's take: The market for goalies that don't perform to their contract is obviously low. But I think GM Brian Burke can still get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him. The Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames are looking for goaltending depth.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 15, 2008

The Dallas Stars will not allow Sean Avery to return to the team and the Stars say they won't challenge the conduct clause in Avery's contract and will explore any options for his future that are consistent with the anger management counselling he's receiving as part of his suspension. Brochu's take: Let's hope Avery cleans up his act, otherwise, he just shouldn't be in the NHL.

The Anaheim Ducks have traded forward Brian Sutherby to the Dallas Stars for the rights to forward David McIntyre and a conditional 6th round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Blues are in early negotiations with the NHL to begin the 2009-2010 season in Sweden, playing against the Detroit Red Wings. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to Swiss sources, Florida Panthers forward Ville Peltonen will leave after his contract expires and sign with HC Lugano of the Nationalliga A for the 2009-2010 season. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 12, 2008

According to ESPN, there is a rumor going around that the New York Rangers are interested in re-acquiring Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery, and would like to send defenseman Michal Rozsival in exchange. Avery would then be sent to the Ranger's AHL affiliate in Hartford, which would free up salary cap space to sign Mats Sundin. Brochu's take: A very strange rumor. The Rangers really weren't interested in re-signing him this past summer, so why would they want him in the organization now? Source

According to the New York Post, Mats Sundin will be in New York City this weekend and will meet with Rangers GM Glen Sather. The hockey rumor mill is indicating that the top 2 teams on Mats Sundin's list are the Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. Brochu's take: This will be my last post about Mats Sundin until he ACTUALLY signs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Dana Tyrell to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Miami Herald's On Frozen Pond hockey blog is speculating that the Edmonton Oilers are trying hard to acquire Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Brochu's take: The hometown microscope has not really worked for most players (case in point, Joffrey Lupul), and Bouwmeester has said in the past he doesn't want to play in Edmonton. It's also curious that these type of rumors always begin to percolate as the Panthers make their way through Western Canada. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 5, 2008

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Dallas Stars have previously tried to send forward Sean Avery to the minors, and have asked the AHL team Manitoba Moose if they would take him. The Moose were again asked if they would take him, and they responded that "there would be absolutely no chance" they would take him. Brochu's take: The NHL's decision on Avery's suspension should come early Friday morning. Even AHL teams don't want anything to do with Avery.

Rumors are swirling that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get defenseman Tomas Kaberle to waive his no trade clause. The Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are very interested in the Czech blueliner. Brochu's take: Kaberle is living his last days in Toronto, especially if he gets into coach Ron Wilson's doghouse. Perhaps a new locale will help rejuvenate his play.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Petri Kontiola, who has asked for a trade, is rumored to be leaving his team, the AHL Rockford Icehogs, and will join Timra of the Swedish Elite League. Source

Defenseman Steve Marr has also left the Blackhawks organization and has signed with German hockey club Herner EG.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 3, 2008

The has suspended Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery indefinitely. He will have a hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman Wednesday. Avery made some derogatory remarks in reference to Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf's girlfriend and Avery's ex, Elisha Cuthbert. "I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada," Avery said on camera this morning in Calgary. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight." Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks also said he would have suspended Avery if the NHL did not step in. Brochu's take: The hockey media have speculated that Avery has played his last game with Dallas. However, there are few options for the Stars, as Avery is hated around the league and has a relatively big contract.

Stefan Legein will return to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. Legein had retired at the age of 19 earlier this summer because he was no longer interested in playing hockey. Legein has been working out at home in Ontario and will try to make to to the BJ's AHL affiliate in Syracuse in January. Brochu's take: Perhaps Legein thought making it in the NHL is better than working at a pizza shop. Source

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, 26 teams, including all six Canadian teams, are interested in 22 year old University of Denver Pioneer forward Tyler Bozak. Bozak has seven goals and 18 points in 15 games this season. NHL scouts are also looking at Boston University defenseman Matt Gilroy, who refused 20 NHL offers last year to complete his degree at BU. The 25 year old has one goal and 9 points in 13 games this season. Brochu's take: Dreger calls this the "Brunnstrom Buzz", in reference to the media fury about Fabian Brunnstrom. BTW, Dreger did NOT start the Brunnstrom buzz. Ken Campbell from The Hockey News was the first to report about the Swedish forward. I'm just a bit tired of TSN and Dreger taking "credit" for discovering him. Source

Newday is reporting that New York Rangers forward Petr Pruch has refused a 10-day conditioning assignment with the Rangers AHL affiliate. Writer Steve Zipay believes the Rangers should trade Prucha to free up some cap space, possibly to sign Mats Sundin. Brochu's take: Rumors of trading Prucha have been around all year, but it seems no one wants him. I believe Prucha would really benefit from a new team if given more ice time. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 8, 2008

The Montreal Canadiens have denied a report in a Montreal newspaper that the team was up for sale and billionaire Jim Balsillie was interested in buying the team. Balsillie has issued an apology to the Canadiens for any misunderstandings he might have caused, and has flatly denied the rumour.

Mike Brophy of Sportsnet reported a player in the Dallas Stars team has told him that no one in the organization other than GM Brett Hull wanted Sean Avery on their team. Hull recently defended his decision to sign Avery, which has caused a split in the dressing room. Brochu's take: Mike Modano's recent comments would add fuel to that fire. How long will it take NHL GMs to realize that Avery causes more headaches than positives?

The Los Angeles Kings have re-claimed forward Matt Ellis off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Forward Dany Roussin has left the ECHL Bakersfield Condors (Los Angeles Kings affiliate) and signed with HC Briançon in France. Brochu's take: Roussin was once Sidney Crosby's linemate with the Rimouski Oceanic, and put up huge numbers. He's never been able to translate those numbers into the NHL or at the pro level.

Zherdev to NY, Hossa, Malkin, Avery signed

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman. Brochu's take: Zherdev and Fritsche had been on the block for some time, and rumors of a Columbus/NY trade have been percolating for a year now.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed Marian Hossa to a one-year, $7.45 million contract. Brochu's take: The NHLPA is not going to like this one, but Hossa wants to win the cup. So get ready for the Hossa sweepstakes in 2009.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially signed Evgeni Malkin to a five-year deal worth $8.7 million a year.

The Pens have also signed defenseman Brooks Orpik to a six-year, $22.5 million contract extension.

The Dallas Stars have signed forward Sean Avery to a four-year, $15.5 million contract, with a limited no-movement clause.

The Stars also signed restricted free agent forward B.J. Crombeen to a one-year deal.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed restricted free agent defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a three-year contract worth $12 million.

The 'Canes have also signed defenceman Josef Melichar to a one-year contract worth $1 million.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenceman Janne Niskala to a one-year deal.

The Bolts have also re-signed forward Ryan Craig to a two-year contract worth $1.575-million.

NHL and hockey rumors for June 23, 2008

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the San Jose Sharks might be willing to deal forward Milan Michalek.

TSN is reporting that New York Rangers forward Sean Avery is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Rumor has it that Marian Hossa has turned down the 7 year, $50 million contract offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins and will test free agency on July 1.

The Colorado Avalanche have traded forward Brad Richardson to the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft.

The Phoenix Coyotes traded Pittsburgh’s third-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft (90th overall, previously acquired) to the NY Rangers for defenseman Alex Bourret.

For a list of minor draft trades, here's the link.

Poll Results:

Who will most likely get an offer sheet?

Jeff Carter	71 (23%)
Jay Bouwmeester	58 (18%)
Mike Green	66 (21%)
Corey Perry	75 (24%)
Shea Weber	28 (9%)
Other	9 (2%)

Total Votes: 307

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!

MacLean involved with Lightning again?

According to the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website, Doug MacLean could once again be involved with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Apparently, MacLean is back in good graces with Lightning majority owner Oren Koules, even though MacLean and Florida real estate developer Jeff Sherrin sued Koules for $50 million when the group's Absolute Hockey Enterprise's venture fell apart in November. It's rumored that he could become the new president or GM (or both). Source

The same blog is saying that the Columbus Blue Jackets will be active around the NHL Entry Draft in June, as the team will be looking for a top line centre. The Jackets will probably use their 1st round pick acquired from the Adam Foote trade in a package to acquire that centre. Source

The New York Post is reporting that New York Rangers GM Glen Sather rejected a trade that would have involved sending Sean Avery to the San Jose Sharks for Steve Bernier. Writer Larry Brooks suggested that this rejection spurred the Brian Campbell trade, as well as the Marian Hossa trade, as the Pittsburgh Penguins were pursuing Bernier as well. Source

On CBC's Hockey Night in Canada intermission program "The Hotstove", panelist Pierre LeBrun suggested that there might be some interest in Alexei Yashin. Yashin wrapped up the RSL season with his team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, where he scored 15 goals and 41 points in 54 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Pohl is rumoured to be signing with HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga A for next season. Source

Avery breaks off contract talks

Forward Sean Avery has broken off contract talks with the New York Rangers. It's believed that Avery is looking for a multi-year contract worth $2.5 million a year. Source

The Dallas Stars have placed forward Toby Petersen on re-entry waivers. The process involving re-entry waivers changes after the trade deadline, as a team can claim Petersen for half price and place him on their NHL roster, but they cannot play him in the regular season or in playoff games for the remainder of the season. That allows teams to make call-ups like this without much risk of losing a player. Source

Habs interested in Eriksson?

According to a source, several Montreal Canadiens scouts have been spotted at the Dallas Stars affiliate in Iowa, keeping an eye on forward Loui Eriksson. Eriksson had been a healthy scratch for Dallas for several games and sent down to Iowa for more playing time.

The NHL is looking into an incident involving Sean Avery and Jason Blake that happened on Saturday. The FAN 590 in Toronto reported that an unnamed Rangers player said Avery ignited a scuffle with Leafs forward Darcy Tucker because of insensitive remarks towards Blake. The league is expected to speak with Avery about the incident some time this week, possibly Tuesday. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Russian Super League team Locomotiv Yaroslavl has offered David Aebischer a contract around $1 million dollars. Aebischer is currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes AHL affiliate. It's also believed that Swiss Nationalliga A teams HC Lugano and ZSC Lions have shown interest in signing the goaltender. Source

Jason York may be close to signing with Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss Nationalliga A. Source