NHL and Hockey Rumors for June 1, 2009

The Dallas Stars will officially announce on Monday that Joe Nieuwendyk will become the new general manager. Owner Tom Hicks also announced that co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson have both been reassigned within the organization. Hull will be moving to the roles of Executive Vice President and Alternative Governor, while Jackson is returning to his role as Director of Scouting and Player Development. Nieuwendyk was, until today, the Special Assistant to the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brochu's take: Whoa, this came out of left field. Could this change the way the Stars will operate come free agency time? Source

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Milan Kytnar to a three-year, entry-level contract. Kytnar was the Oil's 5th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Paul Byron to a three-year, entry-level contract. Byron was the Sabres' 6th round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Calgary Flames have re-signed forward Kyle Greentree to a one-year, two-way contract.

Brochu's European rumor roundup: (signings)

Forward Marek Zagrapan has left the Buffalo Sabres and has signed a contract with KHL club Severstal Cherepovets. Zagrapan is due to be a RFA, so the Sabres would still own his NHL rights. Source

Forward Aleksandr Nikulin has left the Phoenix Coyotes organization and has signed with CSKA Moskva (Moscow). Source

Forward Petr Vrana has left the New Jersey Devils organization and has signed with Czech club HC Vitkovice. Source

New York Islanders forward Kurtis McLean has left the organization and signed with Finnish hockey team Lukko Rauma.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Dec 13, 2008

Bob McKenzie of TSN was on Team 1040 radio in Vancouver on Friday and stated that there was a rumor that the New York Rangers would send forward Scott Gomez to the Vancouver Canucks to make room for Mats Sundin. McKenzie added that the rumour was around in the summer, but has recently percolated around the NHL. Brochu's take: We shall see. The Rangers definitely have to make soom salary cap space if they want to fit in the Swedish centre.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have placed defenseman Mike Lundin on waivers.

The New Jersey Devils have placed forward Petr Vrana on waivers. Brochu's take: I expect Vrana to be picked up. He was one of the Devils best prospects last year.

The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Brett Leonhardt to a one-day amateur tryout contract on Friday. Jose Theodore suffered a hip flexor injury during the Capitals' morning skate, and Simeon Varlamov was recalled from Hershey, the team's AHL affiliate, to back up starter Brent Johnson. However, Varlamov was in San Antonio, and would arrive sometime during the game on Friday. Leonhardt is a Capitals website editor, and actually played goalie for Division III college team Neumann College. Brochu's take: These are great stories. Leonhardt was relieved by Varlamov at the start of the second period. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

Slovakian forward and former NHLer Ladislav Nagy is not having a good season in the KHL, and may be looking to return to North America next season. Nagy has 3 goals in 28 games with Severstal Cherepovets. The Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders expressed some interest in the forward last summer. Brochu's take: Some players are finding out the hard way that the KHL isn't what it's hyped up to be. Expect Nagy to sign with an NHL team next season. Source

NHL and hockey rumors for June 16, 2008

According to Newsday, Alexei Yashin wants to return to the NHL with the New York Islanders. Yashin's agent and GM Garth Snow has had discussions about a contract, but nothing is conclusive at this point. Yashin has a standing contract offer from his Russian team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv for the 2008-2009 season. Brochu's take: Are the Islanders really this desperate for offense? But than again, stranger things have happened...nah, this is much stranger. Source

Swiss reports are indicating that the Montreal Canadiens may be having problems with signing impending UFA Mark Streit. The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have shown interest in the defenseman/forward. Streit's preference is to play for a team's blueline corps. Source

Unrestricted free agent Blake Wheeler is narrowing down his list of teams to around 3 or 4. Wheeler is believed to have limited himself to teams in the East. The Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are amongst the interested teams. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

There are rumors that German clubs Kolner Hale and Adler Mannheim are pursuing Phoenix Coyotes forward Mike York. Source

New Jersey Devils defenseman Richard Matvichuk could be joining the Straubing Tigers of the DEL. Source

New Jersey Devils forward Petr Vrana could be joining Swedish club Brynas for the 2008-2009 season. Source

Poll Results:

Who is this summer's biggest free agent?

Marian Hossa	305 (65%)
Pavol Demitra	7 (1%)
Brian Campbell	94 (20%)
Wade Redden	11 (2%)
Kristian Huselius	11 (2%)
Brian Rolston	17 (3%)
Other	19 (4%)

Total Votes: 464

Thanks to everyone who participated in the polls!