NHL and Hockey Rumors for July 9, 2009

I should be caught up by tomorrow, I still have to post my analysis of the Pronger extension, and the Sakic retirement. There's a few more signings I have to catch up to as well.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Saku Koivu to a 1-year, $3.25 million contract. Brochu's take: And not with a bang but a whimper, the captain of the Montreal Canadiens for the past decade or so leaves the Habs. It's a bit sad that the organization decided for a new direction, but I think Koivu will have a bit of a career revival playing with his buddy Selanne in Orange County.

The Ducks also signed forward Todd Marchant to a 2-year, $2.25 million million contract.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Kris Versteeg to a 3-year, $9.2 million contract. Brochu's take: So the last major RFA on Chicago's roster has signed, which pretty much negates that whole "misfiling" issue. The investigation into that matter is still ongoing.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Brent Regner to a 3-year, entry-level contract.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Matt Moulson to one-year, two-way contract. They have also signed forwards Greg Moore and Greg Mauldin, and defenseman Mark Flood to one-year, two-way contracts.

The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Drew Fata to a contract. They have also signed goalie Dany Sabourin to a one-year contract.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Michael Funk to a contract.

The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman Doug Janik to a contract. They have also signed defenseman Travis Erhardt to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Senators trade Nikulin to Coyotes for Fata

The Ottawa Senators have traded disgruntled forward Alexander Nikulin to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Drew Fata. Brochu's take: Looks like he got what he wanted. But with Phoenix's youthful lineup, where does he fit in? Source

NHL and hockey rumors for July 3, 2008

TSN is reporting that the Tampa Bay Lightning have asked Dan Boyle to waive his no trade clause. It's believed the Lightning have been talking to several teams about dealing Boyle, and one of them are the Ottawa Senators.

Sportsnet is also reporting that the Lightning are shopping goalie Mike Smith.

The Ottawa Sun is reporting that several teams, including the Senators and Oilers, are interested in acquiring free agent Miroslav Satan.

There are rumors that the Minnesota Wild have made an offer to Markus Naslund.

There's speculation that the Nashville Predators are interested in signing Georges Laraque.

Mats Sundin gave a statement on Wednesday indicating that he is flattered with all the interest, but doesn't know if he wants to play next season. Brochu's take: If this isn't a rejection of the Canucks 2-year, $20 million offer, I don't know what is.

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed goaltender Al Montoya and left wing David Spina, signed defenseman Drew Fata and right wing Derek Nesbitt to contracts. The Yotes have also signed 2008 NHL Entry draft picks Mikkel Boedker and Viktor Tikhonov to three-year, entry-level contracts.