Vancouver Canucks GM Dave Nonis pledged for changes during his press conference on Monday. Nonis called missing the playoffs unacceptable and promised significant changes this summer. He expects to address the scoring issue with either trades or free agent signings. Brochu's take: With nearly $15 million potentially to spend, this should be a busy off-season for the Canucks. If they can trade one of their defenseman like Kevin Bieksa or Alexander Edler for some scoring, they could return to the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the 7-8 teams interested in Edler, and rumours could escalate this summer. Source
The Dallas Stars have re-signed defenseman Nicklas Grossman to a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Grant Clitsome to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Clarkson University product was the Jackets’ 12th pick, 271st overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft. Brochu's take: Clitsome will join Darren Puppa and Ron Tugnutt as the best dirty sounding names in NHL history.
The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Steve Zalewski to an entry-level contract.
Brochu's European rumor roundup:
Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Karel Pilar will leave the organization and play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russia. Pilar spent the majority of the 2007-2008 season with the AHL Chicago Wolves. Source
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Stanislav Lascek has signed with HKm Zvolen of the Slovak Extraliga. Lascek had been playing with the ECHL Mississippi Sea Wolves. Source
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Hockey rumors from all over
The following NHL rumours come from the intermission program "The Hotstove", during CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast:
Analyst Al Strachan believes there is "gossip" that the Vancouver Canucks could trade Roberto Luongo to the Ottawa Senators for Jason Spezza. Strachan believes that the rumors and speculation that Luongo wants out of Vancouver is distracting him. Brochu's take: Luongo clearly stated that he does not want out of Vancouver and is happy. But Strachan believes otherwise so it must be true. ;-)
Pierre LeBrun brings up the rumor around the trade deadline of the Florida Panthers asking for Daniel and Henrik Sedin in exchange for Olli Jokinen. LeBrun believes with the uncertainty of the Panthers management, this deal could be revisited in the summer. Brochu's take: I expect the Canucks to make a strong push for Jokinen sometime around the entry draft, as Jokinen and Luongo are good friends.
The latest from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
Garrioch believes that both Toronto Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice and Los Angeles Kings coach Marc Crawford will be fired in the off-season. Brochu's take: Well, that isn't hard to speculate.
Garrioch believes that Minnesota Wild forward Pavol Demitra will not re-sign with the club because he prefers a warmer destination. The Tampa Bay Lightning could be interested. Brochu's take: I didn't know Garrioch was so in tune with Demitra's personal preferences. Demitra will probably stay in Minnesota, as he gets along with friend and fellow Slovak Marian Gaborik.
The Edmonton Oilers will shop goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Brochu's take: The Oilers could use up the money freed by trading Roloson to get some more experience in the lineup.
The Ottawa Senators are planning to re-signing captain Daniel Alfredsson to a long contract extension once July 1st arrives.
Analyst Al Strachan believes there is "gossip" that the Vancouver Canucks could trade Roberto Luongo to the Ottawa Senators for Jason Spezza. Strachan believes that the rumors and speculation that Luongo wants out of Vancouver is distracting him. Brochu's take: Luongo clearly stated that he does not want out of Vancouver and is happy. But Strachan believes otherwise so it must be true. ;-)
Pierre LeBrun brings up the rumor around the trade deadline of the Florida Panthers asking for Daniel and Henrik Sedin in exchange for Olli Jokinen. LeBrun believes with the uncertainty of the Panthers management, this deal could be revisited in the summer. Brochu's take: I expect the Canucks to make a strong push for Jokinen sometime around the entry draft, as Jokinen and Luongo are good friends.
The latest from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
Garrioch believes that both Toronto Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice and Los Angeles Kings coach Marc Crawford will be fired in the off-season. Brochu's take: Well, that isn't hard to speculate.
Garrioch believes that Minnesota Wild forward Pavol Demitra will not re-sign with the club because he prefers a warmer destination. The Tampa Bay Lightning could be interested. Brochu's take: I didn't know Garrioch was so in tune with Demitra's personal preferences. Demitra will probably stay in Minnesota, as he gets along with friend and fellow Slovak Marian Gaborik.
The Edmonton Oilers will shop goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Brochu's take: The Oilers could use up the money freed by trading Roloson to get some more experience in the lineup.
The Ottawa Senators are planning to re-signing captain Daniel Alfredsson to a long contract extension once July 1st arrives.
Friday, April 04, 2008
NHL rumors for April 5, 2008
According to the Pipeline Show Blog, Edmonton Oilers prospect Rob Schremp has been given an offer to play in Finland. Earlier in the week, it was rumored that Swedish teams were talking to his agent, but that was denied. However, there have been approaches from a SM-Liiga team to Schremp's Sweden representative. Brochu's take: If Schremp does take an offer from Europe, I can see the Oilers trading his rights. Source
Edmonton Journal writer Curtis Stock reported on his blog that the Calgary Flames are rumoured to have re-signed forward Daymond Langkow to a 4-year, $20 million contract. The contract also involves a no trade clause. Stock also reported that this effectively ends Kristian Huselius's tenure in Calgary. The Oilers are reported interested in signing Huselius. Brochu's take: Langkow was one of the top centres in the potential UFA market. However, the Flames are starting to get near their cap for next year and rumors will fly about who will get traded. As for Huselius, he could get $5-5.5 million on the open market. Source
The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Justin Abdelkader to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Wings are also rumored to be signing prospects Anton Axelsson, Dick Axelsson and Daniel Larsson.
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Andreas Nodl and defenseman Michael Ratchuk to entry-level contracts on Friday. Both will report to the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms.
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goaltender Joe Fallon of the University of Vermont to an entry-level contract.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free agent forward Stefano Giliati to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Edmonton Journal writer Curtis Stock reported on his blog that the Calgary Flames are rumoured to have re-signed forward Daymond Langkow to a 4-year, $20 million contract. The contract also involves a no trade clause. Stock also reported that this effectively ends Kristian Huselius's tenure in Calgary. The Oilers are reported interested in signing Huselius. Brochu's take: Langkow was one of the top centres in the potential UFA market. However, the Flames are starting to get near their cap for next year and rumors will fly about who will get traded. As for Huselius, he could get $5-5.5 million on the open market. Source
The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Justin Abdelkader to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Wings are also rumored to be signing prospects Anton Axelsson, Dick Axelsson and Daniel Larsson.
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Andreas Nodl and defenseman Michael Ratchuk to entry-level contracts on Friday. Both will report to the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms.
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed goaltender Joe Fallon of the University of Vermont to an entry-level contract.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free agent forward Stefano Giliati to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
NHL rumors for April 3, 2008
Has Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mats Sundin played his last game in the NHL? According to the Toronto newspapers, there's a possibility that Sundin will retire in the summer. Sundin has said he will evaluate his future in the summer, and interim GM Cliff Fletcher has a"feeling" that Sundin would re-sign with the Leafs. Brochu's take: Despite being 37-years old, Sundin has not slowed down in point production. I predict he will wait for the Leafs to finish their summer reconstruction and sign in late August.
According to Swiss newspaper Blick, Atlanta Thrashers forward Darren Haydar may sign with HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga. Brochu's take: Haydar, a very productive AHL player, has never been able to stick with an NHL teams. He's been getting some offers from Switzerland and he could probably make more money in Europe.
The Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Jason Garrison to an entry-level contract. The 6-2, 220-pound Garrison recently completed his junior season at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he recorded five goals and nine assists in 26 games. Source
The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Ryan Jones to an entry-level contract. Jones spent the past four seasons at Miami University in Ohio, where he amassed 90 goals and 57 assists in 161 games. Jones is also one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker award. Source
The New York Rangers have signed forward Ryan Hillier to an entry-level contract.
The Phoenix Coyotes have signed defenseman Nick Ross to an entry-level contract.
According to Swiss newspaper Blick, Atlanta Thrashers forward Darren Haydar may sign with HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga. Brochu's take: Haydar, a very productive AHL player, has never been able to stick with an NHL teams. He's been getting some offers from Switzerland and he could probably make more money in Europe.
The Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Jason Garrison to an entry-level contract. The 6-2, 220-pound Garrison recently completed his junior season at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he recorded five goals and nine assists in 26 games. Source
The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Ryan Jones to an entry-level contract. Jones spent the past four seasons at Miami University in Ohio, where he amassed 90 goals and 57 assists in 161 games. Jones is also one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker award. Source
The New York Rangers have signed forward Ryan Hillier to an entry-level contract.
The Phoenix Coyotes have signed defenseman Nick Ross to an entry-level contract.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Hawks to get top dman, forward?
Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon expects to get approval from chairman Rocky Wirtz to spend what he needs in free agency starting July 1. "We need a top-notch defenseman and a top-notch forward," Tallon said. "I could see (adding) two free agents and two kids. But whatever we do won't be just for next year. Any additions will be for the long term, too." Brochu's take: The crop of top defenseman includes Wade Redden, Brian Campbell and John-Michael Liles. The only real "top-notch" forward is Marian Hossa. The Hawks have a lot of cap room and I expect them to sign one of these players. Source
The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Bryan Lerg. The 5'10, 175-pound Michigan State forward has 20 goals and 19 assists in 42 games this year for the Spartans. Lerg signed a two-year deal worth $962,000, with $175,000 in bonuses. Brochu's take: The Oilers continue to gather top college age talent. However, they are getting close to their maximum of 50 NHL contracts. Source
The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Davis Drewiske to a multi-year, entry-level contract. Drewiske, 23, had 21 points in 20 games with the Wisconsin Badgers.
The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Jack Hillen to a two-year, entry-level contract. In 41 games this season with Colorado College, the 5-11, 200-pound native of Minnesota had six goals and 31 assists for a Division I-leading 37 points among defensemen. Brochu's take: With the salary cap, many teams are now snapping up the young talent in the college ranks more than ever. Hillen will get a few games in the NHL this season to show his stuff. Source
The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Bryan Lerg. The 5'10, 175-pound Michigan State forward has 20 goals and 19 assists in 42 games this year for the Spartans. Lerg signed a two-year deal worth $962,000, with $175,000 in bonuses. Brochu's take: The Oilers continue to gather top college age talent. However, they are getting close to their maximum of 50 NHL contracts. Source
The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Davis Drewiske to a multi-year, entry-level contract. Drewiske, 23, had 21 points in 20 games with the Wisconsin Badgers.
The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Jack Hillen to a two-year, entry-level contract. In 41 games this season with Colorado College, the 5-11, 200-pound native of Minnesota had six goals and 31 assists for a Division I-leading 37 points among defensemen. Brochu's take: With the salary cap, many teams are now snapping up the young talent in the college ranks more than ever. Hillen will get a few games in the NHL this season to show his stuff. Source
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)