NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 22, 2008

The Colorado Avalanche have reclaimed forward Jesse Boulerice off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers.

The New York Rangers have placed forward Patrick Rissmiller on waivers.

The Florida Panthers have placed Wade Belak on waivers.

The St. Louis Blues are desperate for some offensive help, and are rumored to be interested in acquiring Philadelphia Flyers forward Joffrey Lupul. There's also some interest in Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander, who has been linked to the Chicago Blackhawks for some time.

Brochu's European and Asian rumor roundup:

Forward Claude Lemieux, who was trying to make a comeback to the NHL, is now rumored to be signing a contract within the next two weeks with the Worcester Sharks, the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate. Lemieux played a few games with the China Sharks of the Asia League, but has now left the team. The China Sharks are also affiliated with San Jose. Brochu's take: If this rumor is true, than he's one step closer to his goal.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Prestin Ryan has left the organization and has signed with Adler Mannheim in Germany.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 21, 2008

There's a rumor floating around tonight that the Chicago Blackhawks have traded defensemen Brent Sopel and Dustin Byfuglien to the Washington Capitals for forward Michael Nylander. Byfuglien was a late scratch from tonight's Chicago Blackhawks-Dallas Stars game. Brochu's take: Bob McKenzie of TSN reported that this deal was very close to happening, and it might have happened tonight. Stay tuned.

The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Jesse Boulerice on waivers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have claimed forward David Koci off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist is rumoured to be signing with Swedish club Rogle. Tjarnavist has been a healthy scratch for the Avs inevery single game this season. Source

Oilers claim Boulerice off waivers

The Edmonton Oilers have claimed forward Jesse Boulerice off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche. Boulerice was playing on an AHL contract with Colorado's affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. Brochu's take: A replacement for the injured Steve MacIntyre, I assume.

Defenseman Keith Carney has retired from the NHL. The 38 year old, who last played with the Minnesota Wild, had a few NHL teams interested in his services but decided to spend more time with his young family. Source

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed defenseman Josef Melichar on waivers, as per the TSN ticker.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 11, 2008

According to the Inside the Kings blog from the Los Angeles Daily News, the Kings may be shopping Brad Richardson or John Zeiler due to roster inflexibility. The two players are currently on one-way contracts and have been healthy scratches for most of the season. This also explained why the Kings did not pick up Buffalo Sabres forward Matt Ellis on waivers, even if they were interested. Brochu's take: I had reported that the Kings picked up Ellis on waivers, sorry about that. Ellis has cleared and has been sent to Buffalo's AHL affiliate. Source

The Colorado Avalanche has terminated the contract of forward Scott Parker for insubordination. Parker refused an assignment to the Av's AHL affliate Lake Erie Monsters and now is an unrestricted free agent. Brochu's take: He's not going to get much interest, especially with this kind of "insubordination." Source

According to the Puck-rakers blog on the Columbus Dispatch website, Ottawa Senators scout Nick Polano has been at every Blue Jackets home game this season. Aaron Portzline dismisses the Jason Spezza rumors, however he notes that an asking price of Nikita Filatov and a no.1 draft pick would "start the conversation." Brochu's take: An interesting tidbit about that Sens scout. I wonder who he's looking at, considering Filatov is in the AHL right now. Source

The Colorado Avalanche have placed forward Jesse Boulerice on waivers.

The Detroit Red Wings have placed forward Aaron Downey on waivers, according to the TSN ticker. Brochu's take: I think this is the second time this season.

NHLPA down to three candidates

The NHL Players Association has narrowed its search for a new executive director down to three finalists: former U.S. attorney Paul Kelly, NFL Players Association lawyer Richard Berthelsen, and Bill Gregson, president and chief executive of sports store chain Forzani Group. The frontrunner appears to be Kelly, who led the investigation into union founder Alan Eagleson. Source

The Vancouver Police Department has issued a press release stating they will NOT pursue legal action against Jesse Boulerice for his on-ice actions Wednesday night. Boulerice received a 25 game suspension from the league for his crosscheck on Ryan Kesler.

Coach Bob Hartley and GM Don Waddell are rumoured to be fired soon if the Thrashers don't pull out of their losing streak. The Thrashers are 0-5 and are the only NHL team to not win a game this season.

Mara, Matvichuk on trade block?

Richard Matvichuk looks to have played his last game for the New Jersey Devils. GM Lou Lamoriello has announced that he will try to trade the defenseman so that he can have an opportunity to play for another team. "We've already talked to (other teams) and more than likely something will be done in the near future," Lamoriello said. Tom Gulitti is also speculating that the Devils could use the $1.368 million from Matvichuk's contract to spend on UFA Danny Markov. Source

Paul Mara may also be on the trading block. Mara has been a healthy scratch for two straight games for the New York Rangers, and seems to be in coach Tom Renney's doghouse.

According to New York sources, Jon Sim will be out for the season with a knee injury.

Jesse Boulerice could be suspended for more than 20 games for his crosscheck on Ryan Kesler. Boulerice received a match penalty for crosschecking Kesler in the face on Wednesday night, and is suspended indefinitely by the league pending review.