NHL and Hockey Rumors for May 27, 2009

The Edmonton Oilers have named Pat Quinn as head coach and Tom Renney as associate coach. Both Quinn and Renney agreed to 3-year contracts with an unwritten understanding, assuming all parties remain employed at the end of their contracts, Renney will have an opportunity to take over as head coach if Quinn retires. The move reunites the pair with GM Steve Tambellini, who along with Quinn and Renney spent time with the Vancouver Canucks organization. Brochu's take: Tambellini definitely looked up his rolodex to fill these jobs. This brings up an even more intriguing rumor. We all know Jaromir Jagr would love to play with the Oilers. Could the hiring of Renney, his old coach in New York, expediate the process? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, a few hours down Highway 2 in Calgary, GM Darryl Sutter admits that if he can't find someone better than himself, he will become the next coach of the Calgary Flames. Sutter revealed that he's looking at three candidates, but all are currently employed by NHL teams. Sutter also announced that assistant coaches Rich Preston and Rob Cookson and goalie coach David Marcoux will not have their contracts renewed when they expire June 30. Brochu's take: A clean house! Meanwhile, Jim Playfair gets the shaft once again.

Jim Balsillie's offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes comes with an expiry date. The Canadian billionaire is only willing to put up US$212.5-million for the NHL team until June 30, according to documents filed in a U.S. bankruptcy court on Tuesday.

Geoffrey E. Molson, vice-president of marketing for the Molson Coors Brewing Co., said in a statement Tuesday he's interested in submitting a bid to buy the hockey team.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward Jay McClement to a multi-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.

The Washington Capitals have signed undrafted free agent forward Jake Hauswirth to a three-year entry-level contract. The 21-year old Hauswirth has spent the last two seasons with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

The New York Rangers have signed defenseman Michael Del Zotto to a three-year, entry-level contract. Del Zotto was the Rangers 1st round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

According to RDS, Washington Capitals forward Viktor Kozlov has signed a deal with Salavat Yulaev of the KHL. Source

RDS is also reporting that eporting that Caps forward Sergei Fedorov is about to agree to a two-year, $7.6 million contract with Russia's Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Fedorov would be joining his younger brother Fedor on the Metallurg Magnitogorsk roster. Brochu's take: I smell another Fedorov brothers rap album! Source

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Radek Smolenak has left the organization and signed with KHL team Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL. Brochu's take: That Russian team is serious need of vowels. Source

Anaheim Ducks forward Petri Kontiola has left the organization and signed with KHL team Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Source

Trade deadline wrap-up, Part 3

Part 3:

The Phoenix Coyotes also traded forward Daniel Carcillo to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Scottie Upshall and a 2nd round pick. Brochu's take: I think the Coyotes got the better of the trade, as Upshall's upside is better than Carcillo, and the 'Yotes also get a 2nd rounder.

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired defenceman Kyle McLaren from the San Jose Sharks for a sixth-round pick.

The Anaheim Ducks have traded forward Travis Moen and defenseman Kent Huskins to the San Jose Sharks for prospect Nick Bonino, goalie Timo Pielmeier and a conditional draft pick. Brochu's take: Moen will make a big difference (especially in the playoffs) for the Sharks. Also, it certainly looks like the Ducks are looking ahead to next year.

The Ducks also sent prospect Eric O'Dell to the Atlanta Thrashers for forward Erik Christensen.

The Ducks also traded forward Samuel Pahlsson, defenseman Logan Stephenson and a conditional pick in the 2009 draft to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman James Wisniewski and forward Petri Kontiola. Brochu's take: Pahlsson was one of the most coveted players on the market, and he will be money in the playoffs. The draft pick is undetermined at this point.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 5, 2008

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Dallas Stars have previously tried to send forward Sean Avery to the minors, and have asked the AHL team Manitoba Moose if they would take him. The Moose were again asked if they would take him, and they responded that "there would be absolutely no chance" they would take him. Brochu's take: The NHL's decision on Avery's suspension should come early Friday morning. Even AHL teams don't want anything to do with Avery.

Rumors are swirling that the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get defenseman Tomas Kaberle to waive his no trade clause. The Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are very interested in the Czech blueliner. Brochu's take: Kaberle is living his last days in Toronto, especially if he gets into coach Ron Wilson's doghouse. Perhaps a new locale will help rejuvenate his play.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Petri Kontiola, who has asked for a trade, is rumored to be leaving his team, the AHL Rockford Icehogs, and will join Timra of the Swedish Elite League. Source

Defenseman Steve Marr has also left the Blackhawks organization and has signed with German hockey club Herner EG.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Nov 26, 2008

The Montreal Canadiens have some interest in Russian forward Sergei Zinovjev, who wants out of his KHL team Ak Bars Kazan. Zinovjev is reportedly unhappy with his coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov and has stated he wants to move teams, although Ak Bars could refuse to let their star go. Brochu's take: For more on Zinovjev's situation, read here. Source

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, barring a complete turnaround, Brian Burke will be announced as the new president and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs at a afternoon press conference on Saturday. Sources say that MLSE has yet to make a formal offer, but has given Burke and his lawyer a "term sheet". A six-year deal (including what is left of this season) worth about $3 million (U.S.) per year and with the same level of autonomy that was guaranteed in writing to Toronto Raptors' GM Bryan Colangelo appears to be the offer, along with certain bonuses. Brochu's take: The longest love affair in NHL history is about to be consummated. Burke will have a national audience when he make it formal this weekend. Source

Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News is reporting that several teams have inquired about young forward Jamie Benn. It's been speculated that the Stars might make some moves in the near future to shake their team out of their dissappointing start. Source

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded center Wyatt Smith to the Phoenix Coyotes for future considerations.

Chicago Blackhawks forward prospect Petri Kontiola has asked for a trade. In a Finnish interview, he states that he wants to play in the NHL and feels that the AHL is longer a place for him. Source