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.

Latest NHL signings! Part V

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Mathieu Darche to a contract.

The Habs also signed forward Brian Gionta to a 5-year, $25 million contract. Brochu's take: Gainey continues to make wholesale changes to his team. But at the same time, are they getting smaller?

The New York Rangers have signed forward Marian Gaborik to a 5-year, $37.5 million contract. Brochu's take: Sather really hates cap space. He despises cap space.

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed goalie Jason LaBarbera to a 2-year deal.

The Calgary Flames have signed forward Fredrik Sjostrom to a 2-year, $1.5 million contract.

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward John Madden to a 1-year, $2.75 million deal.

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Martin Havlat to a 6-year, $30 million contract. Brochu's take: New GM Chuck Fletcher is doing a pretty good job signing free agents, at $5 million per year, Havlat is a bargain.

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Chris Neil to a 4-year, $8 million contract.

The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Chris Thorburn.

The Boston Bruins have re-signed forward Mark Recchi to a 1-year, $1 million contract.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Nik Antropov to a 4-year, $16 million contract.

NHL and hockey rumors for July 28, 2008

Florida Panthers restricted free agent Jay Bouwmeester has reportedly turned down a multi-year contract offer from the Florida Panthers and will go forward with his arbitration hearing scheduled for July 29. Several reports say the all-star defenseman turned down a deal worth more than $5 million per season. Several teammates and "sources" don't believe that Bouwmeester will be in Florida for the 2009-2010 season. Brochu's take: Expect the Bouwmeester rumors to spiral out of control for the upcoming season. Source

Swedish reports are saying that the New York Rangers have re-signed forward Fredrik Sjostrom to a one-year, $840 000 contract.

There are rumors that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators are interested in free agent forward Ladislav Nagy.

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Alexei Zhitnik has signed a try-out contract with KHL team Dynamo Moskva (Moscow).

Phoenix Coyotes forward Mathias Tjarnqvist is rumored to be signing with a Swedish Elite League team. Source

NHL trade deadline round-up: Part 3

The New York Rangers traded forward Marcel Hossa and goaltending prospect Al Montoya to the Phoenix Coyotes for forwards Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton, goaltender David LeNeveu and a conditional draft pick in 2009.

The St. Louis Blues traded defenseman Christian Backman to the New York Rangers for 4th round pick in 2008.

The St. Louis Blues traded defenseman Bryce Salvador to the New Jersey Devils for forward Cam Janssen.

The Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Tuomo Ruutu to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Andrew Ladd.

The Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Martin Lapointe to the Ottawa Senators for a 6th round pick in 2008.