Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that the New York Rangers are interested in Minnesota Wild forward Brian Rolston and Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Ryder. Brochu's take: The Rangers are probably looking at replacements for Jaromir Jagr, who seems to be on his way out of New York this summer. Ryder would be the logical choice, as Rolston is a centre and the Rangers are deep down the middle with Drury and Gomez. Source
Both Darren Dreger of TSN and Scott Morrison on CBC report that highly-touted Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom is very close to signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Source
Jim Matheson believes that the Chicago Blackhawks won't be able to land impending free agent Brian Campbell because Campbell likes it in San Jose with his friend Joe Thornton. Matheson believes that they will try to get Wade Redden or John-Michael Liles. The Carolina Hurricanes have interest in Liles. Brochu's take: My bet is Liles, who the Canes were trying to get at the trade deadline. Given the right offer, Campbell will go anywhere. But he really likes it in San Jose so it's likely he'll sign there.
Matheson is also speculating that New York Islanders forward Miroslav Satan would be a target of the Vancouver Canucks. Brochu's take: Another trade-deadline trade that didn't come to pass, Satan would be a much needed scorer in the Canucks lineup. His sub-par season could make him affordable in the summer. Source
The Denver Post is reporting that the Buffalo Sabres are close to signing defenseman Chris Butler from the University of Denver.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Afinogenov available?
Maxim Afinogenov looks likely to be dealt in the off-season. "It’s something we really have to look at with Max," said Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier. "He’s a great guy. I have only good things to say about him, but he may well be one of these players who’s ready for a change." Brochu's take: I expect Afinogenov to get a lot of interest from offense-starved teams in the summer. He's still capable of 25 goals and 70 points, and at his salary that is quite comparable to other players. Source
The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Tom Gilbert to a six-year, $24 million contract extension. Gilbert will earn $3.5 million next season with a $1.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in 2009-2010, $5.5 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus in 2010-2011, $5 million in 2011-2012, $3.5 million in 2012-2013, and $3 million in 2013-2014 for a salary cap average of $4 million a season. Brochu's take: A big overpayment by Lowe. Gilbert has had one good season in the NHL and now he's a $4 million defenseman. Perhaps Lowe feared that Gilbert would get a RFA offer sheet, however he had the funds to match any offer. Source
The Oilers have also re-signed forward Robert Nilsson to a three-year, $5.5 million contract extension. Nilsson will earn $1.5 million next season and $2 million in each remaining season. Brochu's take: Now this is great signing by Lowe. Nilsson is key to the Oilers youth movement and should improve his offensive stats next season.
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed draftee Nathan Davis from the Miami University of Ohio to an entry-level contract. Source
The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenseman Tom Gilbert to a six-year, $24 million contract extension. Gilbert will earn $3.5 million next season with a $1.5 million signing bonus, $3.5 million in 2009-2010, $5.5 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus in 2010-2011, $5 million in 2011-2012, $3.5 million in 2012-2013, and $3 million in 2013-2014 for a salary cap average of $4 million a season. Brochu's take: A big overpayment by Lowe. Gilbert has had one good season in the NHL and now he's a $4 million defenseman. Perhaps Lowe feared that Gilbert would get a RFA offer sheet, however he had the funds to match any offer. Source
The Oilers have also re-signed forward Robert Nilsson to a three-year, $5.5 million contract extension. Nilsson will earn $1.5 million next season and $2 million in each remaining season. Brochu's take: Now this is great signing by Lowe. Nilsson is key to the Oilers youth movement and should improve his offensive stats next season.
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed draftee Nathan Davis from the Miami University of Ohio to an entry-level contract. Source
Friday, April 11, 2008
NHL rumors for April 11, 2008
Jacques Martin will not return as the Florida Panthers coach for the 2008-2009 NHL season. Team owner Alan Cohen confirmed to season ticket-holders that Martin will not return as coach, but may stay as the GM. Possible coaching candidates include Guy Charron, Mike Kitchen, Randy Cunneyworth, Bob Hartley, and Pat Quinn. Brochu's take: With Martin still with the GM job, could Olli Jokinen be on the way out? Or will Martin be able to find a coach that Jokinen can along with? Source
The Edmonton Oilers are rumored to be signing draft pick Taylor Chorney after he finishes the NCAA tournament. His team, the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, are in the Frozen Four. Source
The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with goaltender Jeff Zatkoff. Zatkoff had finished his junior season with Miami University of Ohio. Brochu's take: The Kings now have an overflow of goaltenders in their system. Both Dan Cloutier and Jason LaBarbera have one year remaining on their contracts, while Cloutier has been rumored to be the recipient of a buyout this summer. Look for the Kings to shop one of these goalies. Source
The Edmonton Oilers are rumored to be signing draft pick Taylor Chorney after he finishes the NCAA tournament. His team, the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, are in the Frozen Four. Source
The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with goaltender Jeff Zatkoff. Zatkoff had finished his junior season with Miami University of Ohio. Brochu's take: The Kings now have an overflow of goaltenders in their system. Both Dan Cloutier and Jason LaBarbera have one year remaining on their contracts, while Cloutier has been rumored to be the recipient of a buyout this summer. Look for the Kings to shop one of these goalies. Source
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
NHL rumors for April 10, 2008
Sergei Samsonov is happy with the Carolina Hurricanes, and would like to re-sign with the club. He could potentially earn a better contract in the summer, but given his luck with other teams, Samsonov may consider otherwise. Brochu's take: The Hurricanes were only picking up half of Samsonov's $3.5 million salary, and it's likely he'll ask for something in the $2-2.5 million range, as he almost maintained a point-a-game average with the 'Canes. Source
The New York Islanders have signed forward Rob Hennigar to a two-year, entry-level contract. Hennigar was a CIS All Canadian with the UNB Varsity Reds. Brochu's take: I expect that many NHL teams will start to look at players coming from Canadian universities more closely. Source
The New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Jeff Frazee to a two-way contract. Frazee was the second round choice of the Devils in the 2005 NHL entry draft.
Brochu's European rumour roundup:
CSKA Moscow is rumored to have offered New York Islanders backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz a one-year, $1.8 million contract.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Karel Rachunek is rumoured to have signed a contract with Dynamo Moscow for 2008-2009. Source
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Joakim Lindstrom is rumoured to be returning to Sweden to play with Skelleftea in the SEL. Source
Dallas Stars forward Marius Holtet has signed with Farjestad of the SEL. Source
The New York Islanders have signed forward Rob Hennigar to a two-year, entry-level contract. Hennigar was a CIS All Canadian with the UNB Varsity Reds. Brochu's take: I expect that many NHL teams will start to look at players coming from Canadian universities more closely. Source
The New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Jeff Frazee to a two-way contract. Frazee was the second round choice of the Devils in the 2005 NHL entry draft.
Brochu's European rumour roundup:
CSKA Moscow is rumored to have offered New York Islanders backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz a one-year, $1.8 million contract.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Karel Rachunek is rumoured to have signed a contract with Dynamo Moscow for 2008-2009. Source
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Joakim Lindstrom is rumoured to be returning to Sweden to play with Skelleftea in the SEL. Source
Dallas Stars forward Marius Holtet has signed with Farjestad of the SEL. Source
NHL rumors for April 9, 2008
According to the Buffalo News, the Sabres want to sign Ryan Miller to a long-term contract extension, but the question is, does he want to? Miller wants to meet with management to see the direction of the franchise before he commits to any new deal. Brochu's take: Miller's seen some of the best players on his team leave year after year; Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Brian Campbell. Will Buffalo open the bank to sign him?
The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Frazer McLaren and defensemen David MacDonald and Mike Moore.
Brochu's European rumour roundup:
Anaheim Ducks forward Geoff Platt is rumoured to be signing with SCL Tigers of the Swiss Nationalliga A.
Detroit Red Wings forward Mark Cullen is also rumored to be signing with SCL Tigers.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Olli Malmivaara is rumored to be signing with JYP in Finland.
Vancouver Canucks forward Brad Moran is rumoured to be signing with Skelleftea of the SEL.
Poll Results:
Who will win the Steven Stamkos sweepstakes?
Total votes : 240
What would you like to see added to Brochu is Hockey?
Total votes : 62
Thanks to everyone who participated in the polls!
The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Frazer McLaren and defensemen David MacDonald and Mike Moore.
Brochu's European rumour roundup:
Anaheim Ducks forward Geoff Platt is rumoured to be signing with SCL Tigers of the Swiss Nationalliga A.
Detroit Red Wings forward Mark Cullen is also rumored to be signing with SCL Tigers.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Olli Malmivaara is rumored to be signing with JYP in Finland.
Vancouver Canucks forward Brad Moran is rumoured to be signing with Skelleftea of the SEL.
Poll Results:
Who will win the Steven Stamkos sweepstakes?
Los Angeles | 115 (47%) |
Tampa Bay | 59 (24%) |
Atlanta | 13 (5%) |
St. Louis | 8 (3%) |
Toronto | 25 (10%) |
Florida | 4 (1%) |
Other | 16 (6%) |
Total votes : 240
What would you like to see added to Brochu is Hockey?
My analysis ("Brochu's take") | 27 (43%) |
More polls | 5 (8%) |
Top 10 lists | 19 (30%) |
Non-rumor posts | 7 (11%) |
Other | 4 (6%) |
Total votes : 62
Thanks to everyone who participated in the polls!
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