The Montreal Canadiens have hired Jacques Martin as the new head coach of the team. The move reunites Martin with assistant general manager Pierre Gauthier and head of amateur scouting Trevor Timmins from their time together with the Ottawa Senators.
Brochu's take: It's believed that negotiations have been going on for some time to release Martin from his GM job with the Florida Panthers, which was extended last year to 2011-2012. Rumors are swirling that the Panthers are up for sale and are trying to shed payroll in anyway, so it could be an interesting situation this summer.According to CKNW radio in Vancouver, there's a rumor that the Vancouver Canucks would send defenseman Sami Salo and forward prospect Jannik Hansen to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Jack Johnson.
Brochu's take: Johnson wants out of LA, but I think the fans in Vancouver remember Johnson from the World Juniors.The Ottawa Senators have signed free agent forward Ryan Keller to a one-year, two-way contract. The 25-year old has spent the past two seasons with the Espoo Blues of the Finnish SM-Liiga.
The New Jersey Devils have re-signed forward Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond. No contract details were announced.
