NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 29, 2008

Marty York of Metro News is reporting rumors that the Edmonton Oilers are trying to trade a goaltender for a "hard-nosed forward. or two." York quotes two NHL sources that the Oilers are dangling one of their three goalies as trade bait. The Oilers currently have Dwayne Roloson, Mathieu Garon and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers on their roster. Brochu's take: I doubt that the Oilers are shopping Garon or Drouin-Deslauriers, but they have been shopping Roloson for a long time. Source

The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed defenseman Ken Klee off re-entry waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks will pick up half of Klee's salary.

The Florida Panthers have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore to a one-year contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Konstantin Pushkarev has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian KHL. The Dallas Stars released Pushkarev earlier this month.

Russian sources are reporting that the Colorado Avalanche may be interested in signing goaltender Ray Emery once the KHL season is over. Brochu's take: There may be better goalies available next summer.

Poll Results:

Should the NHL expand to Europe?

Yes	14 (10%)
No	114 (82%)
Who cares?	10 (7%)

Total votes: 138

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls!!

NHL and hockey rumors for Oct 27, 2008

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Darryl Sydor has asked for a trade. Sydor knows that he won't get much playing time once Ryan Whitney returns in December from injury. Brochu's take: GM Ray Shero will most likely hold on to him until the trade deadline, where he could get maximum return for the veteran defender. Source

The Florida Panthers may be close to signing defenseman Jassen Cullimore, as the Cats are decimated by injuries on the blueline. Source

Here's the latest from Bruce Garrioch and the Ottawa Sun:

The Chicago Blackhawks may be willing to move forward Martin Havlat.

Garrioch reports that "don't be surprised" if the Toronto Maple Leafs try to move Alex Steen, Matt Stajan and defenseman Tomas Kaberle before the end of the season. Brochu's take: Kaberle has a no trade clause and has refused to waive it once already. As for Steen, that's the first time I've heard his name in the rumor mill.

There are "whispers" that the Atlanta Thrashers are willing to move forward Ilya Kovalchuk. Brochu's take: Garrioch loves his "whispers"...they are in every one of his columns. It's possible, but I don't think the Thrashers are going to trade their one superstar.

The Philadelphia Flyers are quietly shopping for a goaltender, and could be interested in the Thrasher's Ondrej Pavelec and Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak. Brochu's take: Neither are established NHL goalies yet, so why would GM Paul Holmgren want them?

NHL and hockey rumors for Sept 21, 2008

The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with forward Dale Weise. Terms were not disclosed. Source

Free agent defenseman Keith Carney has been invited to the Chicago Blackhawks training camp on a pro tryout contract.

Free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore has been invited to the Florida Panthers training camp on a pro tryout contract.

According to the Calgary Sun, both defenseman Rhett Warrener and Anders Eriksson have been speculated in trade and waiver rumors, as it is likely only one of the two will make it on the roster. Brochu's take: My bet is that Eriksson will get waived or traded. Source

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed GM Darcy Regier to a two-year contract extension.

According to the Team 1040 radio in Vancouver, there have been "whispers" that Canucks defenseman Lukas Krajicek and forward Taylor Pyatt could be on their way out of Vancouver. It's believed that the Montreal Canadiens have some interest in the young Czech blueliner. Brochu's take: Thanks to Jon for sending this one in.

Markov to Russia

Danny Markov has signed a 2 year deal with Dynamo Moscow. The contract contains an out clause if he wants to return to the NHL next summer. However, since there is no transfer agreement between Russia and the NHL, it's conceivable that he could leave at any time and sign with an NHL team. Source

Darius Kasparaitis has agreed to play the rest of the season with SKA St. Petersburg. This has been agreed to by both parties, as Kasparaitis was holding a spot in the Rangers AHL affiliate Hartford, a spot that could have been used by a young developing player. Source

The Florida Panthers signed defenseman Jassen Cullimore on a one year deal Friday and assigned him to their AHL affiliate in Rochester on a two week conditioning stint. Source

The LA Kings have signed forward Dustin Brown to a 6 year, $19.05 million contract extension.

Metropolit invited to Bruins camp

Glen Metropolit has been invited to attend the Boston Bruins trading camp. Metropolit has been in discussions with the Bruins for a few weeks, according to the Swiss newspaper "Blick". If he doesn't get a contract with Boston, Nationalliga A teams SC Bern, HC Lugano and ZSC Lions have shown interest. Source

Other notable camp invitees are: Brent Sopel, Jassen Cullimore and Aaron Downey - Red Wings, Jim Dowd and Rory Fitzpatrick- Flyers, and David Tanabe - Hurricanes.

Janis Sprukts has signed in Finland with Rauman Lukko of the SM-liiga. Sprukts had just signed with Riga 2000, but this new contract only lasts for 4 months, and he may return to Latvia afterwards. Source

Mike Dunham has become the new goaltending coach for the New York Islanders. One thing about Islanders goalies is that they have good job security. Former backup Garth Snow becomes the GM, and Rick DiPietro got a 15-year contract. Could Wade Dubielewicz be the next Islanders coach? ;-)