Snow denies Kovalev for Satan rumours

GM Garth Snow has denied rumours of a trade involving Alexei Kovalev and Miroslav Satan. Snow insists Satan won't be traded, but if the Islanders aren't in the running for the playoffs, he will most likely be shopped.

The Maple Leafs are trying to get top prospect John Tavares to play for the Leafs AHL ffiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The rumours were that the Leafs were offering a 3 year AHL contract, and hope that Tavares doesn't sign with whichever NHL team drafts him in 2009. However, numerous AHL and NHL bylaws prevent him from doing this, but it's possible that these could be changed through a majority vote. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that GM John Ferguson Jr. is shopping Alex Steen, Matt Stajan and Wade Belak. Source

Mattias Karlsson has left the Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate Birmingham and signed with Bofors IK in Sweden. Source

An update on Tony Salmelainen. Apparently he has signed a one year deal with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super League for almost $1.5-million. Source

NHL stops Wings 84-game schedule plan?

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that the NHL stopped Detroit's 84 game schedule proposal, which also contained a clause that capped the preseason games at 6 and a home and away with teams out of the conference. The Red Wings are going to bring up the matter at a later date, but commissioner Gary Bettman is adamant on keeping NHL owners quiet about scheduling matters. Dreger also reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks are supporters of this new proposal. Source

Tony Salmelainen has left the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate Marlies and returned home to Finland. According to this article, he has been suspended by the Leafs. However, there are conflicting reports to this, and his situation is unclear at the moment. It is possible he may have left due to personal reasons without permission.

David Aebischer has been waived by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Marleau signs extension

Patrick Marleau has agreed to a 2 year extension with the San Jose Sharks. He will earn $4.5 million in the final year of his current contract and $6.3 million each of the next two years. Source

In some ironic news, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey denied the Marleau trade rumours that have "swirled" on the internet. Source

Tony Salmelainen has officially signed a one year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs. The deal is rumoured to be around the $500,000 range. Source

Salmelainen to Toronto?

According to Finnish website iltasanomat.fi, Tony Salmelainen is close to signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A rough translation is as follows: "I've been in touch with them. Hopefully I can finalize the deal with the Leafs." Salmelainen said, "That's where I'd want to be. I lived a year there and I have friends there. I'd be happy to go if the deal comes through." Source