Tarnstrom to Sweden, Veilleux to Switzerland?

Here are the latest NHL rumors for April 24, 2008:

With the official hiring of Mike Gillis as the new GM of the Vancouver Canucks, speculation continues as to the future of coach Alain Vigneault and captain Markus Naslund. According to the Globe and Mail, Naslund has refused to re-sign with the Canucks if Vigneault remains the head coach. Meanwhile, Gillis is looking for more speed, grit and competitiveness. He won't be afraid of "bold moves", and is willing to entertain the idea of trading Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Brochu's take: It looks like Gillis and Dave Nonis had opposite views on how "close" the Canucks really were. We shall see how decisive Gillis is in addressing the Canucks no. 1 problem, a lack of scoring. Source

Brian Burke is staying with the Anaheim Ducks and has pledged to honor his contract to finish the 2008-2009 season. He is also working on a long-term extension with the team. Brochu's take: This won't stop Toronto-based media to continue to speculate that Burke will become the Leafs GM in one years time. For now, Burke stays in southern California. Source

According to the Puck-rakers blog, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators could be trade partners this summer. The draft will be in Ottawa in June, and there are rumors that the two teams are talking. The Jackets are quietly shopping Nikolai Zherdev and their first round draft pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Luca Caputi to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Brochu's European rumour roundup:

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dick Tarnstrom has signed with SEL team AIK for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Swiss sources are saying that Minnesota Wild forward Stephan Veilleux is being targeted by Swiss Nationalliga A club Ambri Piotta. Source

Tarnstrom traded for Glencross

The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded forward Curtis Glencross to the Edmonton Oilers for defenceman Dick Tarnstrom. Source

Vultures circling Toronto, interest in Staios?

The Toronto Star is reporting that there were 18 scouts from 16 NHL teams watching the Toronto Maple Leafs-St. Louis Blues game Tuesday. Mats Sundin remains the subject of trade rumors, and there is speculation that interim GM Cliff Fletcher will talk to Sundin this week about waiving his no trade clause. Source

According to Adam Proteau of the Hockey News, a Western Conference GM stated that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Steve Staios might draw some interest around the league. Source

In other Oiler news, it looks like billionaire Daryl Katz's new $200 million offer to buy the Oilers will be accepted by the EIG board members. Source

TSN is reporting that the Calgary Flames and defenseman Dion Phaneuf are close to a long-term contract extension, with minor details being ironed out. This should put the preposterous Phaneuf rumours to rest. Source

Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that Peter Forsberg has given his agent Don Baizley the go-ahead to speak to NHL teams that may be interested in signing the Swedish forward. Source

Brochu's European round-up:

Forward Matt Hussey has left the AHL Lake Erie Monsters and signed with Jokerit in Finland. He was signed by the Colorado Avalanche last summer. Source

Dallas Stars prospect Sergei Korostin has left Dynamo Moskva (Moscow) in Russia and is now playing with the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He was the Stars' third round, 64th overall selection in the 2007 NHL entry draft. Source

Goaltender Maxime Ouellet, the former first-round NHL draft pick, has left Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and signed with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL. Source

Aftonbladet in Sweden is reporting rumours that Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norström will leave the NHL in 2008-2009 and sign with AIK of the Allsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden.

The paper is also reporting that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Dick Tarnström will also sign with AIK next season. Source

Panthers interested in Ryder

According to the Miami Herald's Florida Panthers blog, On Frozen Pond, the Panthers could be interested in Michael Ryder. The writer is suggesting a change of scenery may be what Ryder needs. The Panthers will be without forward Ville Peltonen 6-8 weeks with a broken foot and it's believed Florida would like Ryder to fill that offensive spot. This has added some fuel to the rumor of Janis Sprukts going to Montreal in exchange for Ryder. Source

The Toronto Sun is reporting that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Dick Tarnstrom is available. There is a surplus of defenseman in the Oilers lineup and Tarnstrom could be the odd man out.

The Vandermeer-Eager trade has sparked speculation that both the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers are not done with trading. Several deals could happen after the NHL trade freeze ends on December 27.

Prucha, Montoya available?

Steve Zipay of newsday.com is speculating that Petr Prucha and Al Montoya could be used as tradebait. With Henrik Lundqvist firmly entrenched as the no. 1 goaltender in New York, Montoya could be a very attractive option for teams needing a top young goalie. Zipay is also speculating that Prucha and a pick could pry Dan Boyle of Tampa, who is due to become a UFA after this season. Source

According to sources in Montreal, Jaroslav Halak has asked to be traded and has threatened to leave for a team in Russia.

An update on the Atlanta-Edmonton rumours. The Edmonton Journal is reporting that defenseman Dick Tarnstrom could be on his way out, and the Thrashers and Rangers could be interested in his services. Tarnstrom is earning $2 million and has sat out two of the last three games as a healthy scratch. Source