Hockey and NHL Rumors for Sept 20, 2010

Here's a bit of a rumor roundup from the weekend:

The Anaheim Ducks have signed forward Matt Beleskey to a two-year, $1.5 million contract.

The Columbus Post Dispatch is reporting that the Blue Jackets are considering acquiring Edmonton Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray.  Souray remains in limbo after being barred from attending the Oilers' training camp.  Brochu's take:  Edmonton and Columbus have been frequent trading partners lately, so it's very possible that he could move there.  Defenseman Rostislav Klesla has bee mentioned in some trade rumors as well.  Source

The Buffalo Sabres have invited Mark Parrish to training camp.

The New Jersey Devils have extended an invitation to training camp to forward Adam Mair.

The Florida Panthers have invited Nick Tarnasky to training camp.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Defenseman Lukas Krajicek has left the NHL and signed with HC Trinec in the Czech Republic.

Big trade day!

Only a massive trade day like today would awaken me from my blogging slumber! So to review:

The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenseman Ian White. Brochu's take: My philosophy is that the team that the best player goes to "wins" the trade, and in this case I would have to say Toronto gets the better end of the deal. Phaneuf is capable of much more, and he will get plenty of ice-time in T.O. Hagman/Stajan are good players, and I'm not sure how the Leafs will score from now on. Calgary gets a lot more offensive in this deal.

The Leafs have also acquired goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Jason Blake. Brochu's take: Toskala's contract, along with Blake's, were essentially dead weight. After the signing of Hiller, Giguere's contract was the same on the Ducks. I see this trade more of moving dead money around than actual players.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed goalie Jonas Hiller to a 4-year, $18 million contract extension. Brochu's take: Not a bad deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a contract. The Tampa Bay Lightning had terminated his contract when he didn't show up to his AHL assignment.

Hockey and NHL rumors for Dec 15, 2009

According to the Puck-rakers blog, the Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in Ottawa Senators defenseman Brian Lee. Writer Aaron Portzline that a deal could involve forward Nikita Filatov, who is currently playing in the KHL. Brochu's take: Filatov is one of the top prospects outside the NHL right now, so I would say the Sens would have to give up more than that.

The Carolina Hurricanes have placed defenseman Aaron Ward on waivers and goalie Michael Leighton on re-entry waivers.

The New York Rangers have placed forward Pierre Alexandre Parenteau on waivers.

The Columbus Blue Jackets had placed Derek Mackenzie on waivers and the Tampa Bay Lightning had placed defenseman Lukas Krajicek on waivers. They have both cleared.

Latest NHL signings! Part II

Update as of 1:00 PM PST

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Mike Knuble to a 2-year, $5.6 million contract.

The New York Rangers have signed enforcer Donald Brashear to a 2-year, $2.8 million contract.

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed defenseman Scott Niedermayer to a 1-year, $6 million contract, with bonuses.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Aaron Rome to a 1-year, $550,000 contract.

The Nashville Predators have re-signed forward Joel Ward to a 2-year, $3 million contract.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a one-year deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed goalie Brian Boucher to a 2-year, $1.85 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a 3-year, $11.5 million contract. Brochu's take: I think we can safely say that GM Bob Gainey has lost his marbles.

Krajicek, Simek for Ouellet, O'Brien

The Vancouver Canucks have traded defenseman Lukas Krajicek and forward Juraj Simek to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Shane O'Brien and forward Michel Ouellet. Ouellet will report to the AHL Manitoba Moose. Brochu's take: Curious, as Ouellet just cleared waivers a few days ago. It would seem that Canucks GM Mike Gillis values grit more than skill. Source

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.

NHL and hockey rumors for Sept 12, 2008

The Carolina Hurricanes and forward Eric Staal have agreed to a seven-year, $57.75 million contract extension. The deal works out to a $8.25 million cap hit per year.

The Detroit Red Wings and forward Henrik Zetterberg have started negotiations on a long-term contract extension. The forward could easily a $9 million a year salary if he reaches the open market. Source

There are rumors that the Vancouver Canucks could be shopping defenseman Lukas Krajicek.

Defenseman Luke Richardson has been invited to the Ottawa Senators training camp on a try-out contract. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Calgary Flames forward Marcus Nilson has joined CSKA Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL. Details still have to be ironed out, but Nilson has already practised with the team and both sides are negotiating his release from Calgary's contract. Source

According to NHLPA director Paul Kelly on the 640 AM radio in Toronto, Alexander Radulov wants to leave the KHL, despite only a few games in. Kelly "has extremely good authority" that Radulov wants to return to the NHL and the Nashville Predators. Brochu's take: Another interesting twist to the Radulov saga. Radulov had burned his bridges when he was officially suspended by the Preds, but would the team have him back?

Possible Recchi destinations, Rangers interested in Krajicek?

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that both Dallas and San Jose expressed interest in trade discussion with Mark Recchi, and may pick him up off waivers. If he clears waivers, it is believed Recchi will fulfill his obligation and report to the AHL farm team in Wilkes-Barre. Another possibility is that the Pittsburgh Penguins could call him up on re-entry waivers, when teams such as Carolina would be interested. The final option is to buy out Recchi's contract and make him an UFA. Source

According to a source in New York, the Rangers may have interest in Vancouver Canucks defenseman Lukas Krajicek. GM Dave Nonis has reportedly turned down offers, but may change his mind as the trade deadline approaches. The Rangers believe Krajicek would fit in well with the Czech contingent on their team.

Jeff Gordon of STLtoday.com wonders if the St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers would make good trade partners. The Blues have surplus defenseman, and the Panthers have been looking for blueline help all season. Source

The Colorado Avalanche have placed Wyatt Smith on waivers.

Jakub Klepis has left the AHL Hershey Bears and returned to Europe. Klepis has received offers from Switzerland, Russia and his home country, the Czech Republic. He was signed to the Washington Capitals affiliate on a professional try out contract. Source