NHL and Hockey Rumors for February 8, 2013

The Boston Bruins have traded goalie Tim Thomas to the New York Islanders in exchange for a conditional second round pick in the 2014 or 2015 NHL Entry Draft.  The pick is conditional on Thomas reporting for the Islanders or any other team if they trade his rights.  Thomas is currently on his year long sabbatical from hockey.  Brochu's take:  This was a pure salary cap move to help the Islanders reach the cap floor.  Value-wise, you have to notice how low his stock has dropped, considering he has won two Vezina trophies in the past 4 years.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Kimmo Timonen to a one year, $6 million contract extension.

Brochu's European rumor round-up:

Free agent defenseman Chris Campoli has signed with Geneve-Servette of the Swiss NLA.  Source  

Comrie, Campoli for McAmmond and 1st

The New York Islanders have traded forward Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli to the Ottawa Senators for forward Dean McAmmond and San Jose's first-round pick in the upcoming draft, obtained via a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Brochu's take: A desperate move from GM Bryan Murray. He knows that he has to make the playoffs or he's gone. Value wise, it's essentially Comrie and Campoli for a first. However, the more important matter is that Hilary Duff and Carrie Underwood will be on TV together more often!

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Jan 14, 2009

Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey did not address the Vincent Lecavalier trade rumors directly, but admitted that he wouldn't mind adding an impact player. Lecavalier has dismissed the rumors as just that, "rumors". GM Brian Lawton has admitted that no one is untouchable on the Lightning but he is not actively shopping Lecavalier. Brochu's take: Like Bob McKenzie says, it's up to Lecavalier if he wants out of Tampa.

Scouts from 15 different teams - including three from the Florida Panthers, two from the Chicago Blackhawks and one from the Vancouver Canucks - attended Tuesday night's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators. Most of them were to watch defenseman Tomas Kaberle, but several other Leafs forwards were also closely monitored. Source

According to the Ottawa Sun, Senators GM Bryan Murray wants to "get a young player or two", but doesn't want a veteran with a lengthy contract. Sources are saying that the Sens went after New York Islanders defenseman Chris Campoli, but those talks are over. Brochu's take: Murray might feel safe, but rumors are that he's on the chopping block if they don't turn it around soon. Source

There's some speculation that the Boston Bruins could be shopping goaltender Manny Fernandez, but Boston Globe writer Kevin Paul Dupont has checked around the NHL that there are no Fernandez trade rumors. Source

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that the Rangers have opened negotiations with forward Nikolai Zherdev, who is due to be restricted free agent in July. Source

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Brett Skinner from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Junior Lessard.