Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 21, 2010

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goalie Steve Mason to a two-year, $5.8 million contract extension.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have given their GM Ray Shero a five-year extension.

Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province is reporting that as Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider plays more and more, his trade quotient will rise.  Brochu's take:  Schneider is considered one of the best goalies not yet in the NHL, and he should get increased time in net this season with Luongo's reduced workload.  Source

Backes for Schneider?

According to the Team 1040 radio in Vancouver, there are rumors that the Canucks are interested in St. Louis Blues forward David Backes. The speculation is that the Blues have sent scouts to watch goalie Cory Schneider in Winnipeg, and the top brass of the Canucks was scouting the recent Montreal Canadiens-St. Louis Blues game. Brochu's take: GM Mike Gillis did give an offer sheet to Backes a few years back, so they must be still interested.

NHL rumor update Mar 1

The Team 1040 radio in Vancouver reported these two rumors, citing sources close to the negotiations:

The Florida Panthers wanted both Daniel and Henrik Sedin fom the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Olli Jokinen.

The initial offer for Brad Richards from the Canucks was Luc Bourdon, Cory Schneider and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2008. The Tampa Bay Lightning counter-offered with Ryan Kesler, Alex Edler, Mason Raymond and the three draft picks.

Both TSN and Rotoworld is reporting that Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke will accept a position in June as the President and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Source

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired right wing Nate DiCasmirro from the Phoenix Coyotes for right wing Steve Goertzen and assigned him to Syracuse of the American Hockey League. (Trades can still be conducted after the deadline, but the players are ineligible for the NHL playoffs.) Source

Senators fire Paddock, Low

The Ottawa Senators have fired coach John Paddock and assistant coach Ron Low. Speculation and rumours have surrounded the coach's future during the recent spell of bad games. GM Bryan Murray will take over coaching duties for the stretch run, while Paddock has been offered a job somewhere in the organization. Source

According to the Montreal Gazette, the Montreal Canadiens are believed to have offered forwards Michael Ryder, Maxim Lapierre and Mikhail Grabovski to the Atlanta Thrashers for Marian Hossa. GM Bob Gainey mentioned that the Thrashers wanted "4 elements", 3 of which were playing on Tuesday. Source

The Thrashers apparently wanted Antoine Vermette, Nick Foligno and 1st round pick in 2008 for Hossa, the Ottawa Sun reports. Source

Rumours are flying that Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero received orders from the owners to make a serious playoff run this year, leading to the acquisition of Hossa.

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that Vancouver Canucks GM Dave Nonis offered defenseman Luc Bourdon, goaltending prospect Cory Schneider, and Mason Raymond to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Brad Richards. Rumours are that the Lightning really wanted defenseman Alex Edler and forward Ryan Kesler.

Sundin for Kesler, Bourdon, Schneider and a 1st?

Team 1040 radio in Vancouver and TSN is reporting a rumour that the asking price for Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is Ryan Kesler, Luc Bourdon, Cory Schneider and a 1st round pick in 2008 from the Canucks.

The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Ottawa Senators coach John Paddock made the four-hour trip to Binghamton from Ottawa after practice on Wednesday to check out the AHL Binghamton Senators in action against the Philadelphia Phantoms. Paddock was there to watch which players would fit on the big club if a roster player was traded. There are rumors that Antoine Vermette, Joe Corvo and Andrej Meszaros could be dealt at the deadline. When asked which players he was looking at, Paddock said: "Any one of the young players. (Alexander) Nikulin and (Ilya) Zubov have each had one game, or a few games up, and Brian Lee, and the goaltenders (Jeff Glass and Brian Elliott). And we know what Lawrence Nycholat can do as a call-up." Source

These following trade rumors are from TSN's Backchecking column:

The Ottawa Sun is reporting that Senators prospects Brian Lee, Ilya Zubov and Nick Foligno could be part of a deal to land a top-6 forward.

The New York Post is reporting that the New Jersey Devils have some cap room available and may target Chicago Blackhawks forwards Robert Lang and Martin Havlat. The paper also reports that they are interested in Edmonton Oilers defenseman Joni Pitkanen.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Red Wings might consider moving Dan Cleary if they can't get him signed to a contract extension, and if the Wings could get a top-six forward in return.

Canucks interested in Sharp, Fedorov to Ottawa?

In an interview with the Vancouver Province, GM Dave Nonis answered a few questions about his under-performing team, while also addressing trade speculation. Here are some of the interesting parts:

Q: All the big moves are at the start of July 1 free agency, not the Feb. 26 trade deadline, and many teams are at or near the $50.3-million salary cap. You're at $47.6 million. How difficult is it to make a significant trade?

A: "It's difficult. There are deals I could make, but they're not good deals. They would either eat up the rest of the cap space or deals that are long and take players into age groups where you don't want them. "I also believe our players are better than they've performed."

Q: Would you throw prospects like Luc Bourdon and Cory Schneider into a trade package for the right player, say a proven top-six scorer?

A: "I don't have a problem doing it, but not just for a UFA [unrestricted free agent]. You're going to set yourself back years. We've improved our reserve list dramatically, but it's nowhere near where I want it to be. Taking players away from that, I don't have an appetite for it unless it brought back younger players that would help long term."

According to a source, the Canucks are also interested in Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks. Sharp has been relegated to third line duty in Chicago and can be had for a very low price. Source

Ian Mendes of Sportsnet is reporting on his blog that the Ottawa Senators could bring in Sergei Fedorov at the trading deadline. GM Bryan Murray has admitted that he has thought about Fedorov, but the Blue Jackets are doing well and may not offload the Russian centre if they are competing for a playoff spot. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that several teams in the NHL are very close to dealing as the US Thanksgiving weekend approaches. The Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks are shopping for a top 6 forward, while the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets are looking for help on the blueline. The Pittsburgh Penguins are also looking for speed up front. Source

In the Montreal-Atlanta game on Tuesday had 15 different scouts watching, along with assistant GM Steve Tambellini of the Vancouver Canucks. Source