NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 16, 2009

The Montreal Canadiens have signed free agent forward Dany Masse to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year old has spent the past five seasons in the QMJHL. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Viktor Stalberg to a two-year, entry-level contract. Stalberg was the Leafs' sixth round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the past three seasons with the University of Vermont in the NCAA. Source

The Edmonton Oilers have relieved Craig MacTavish of duties as head coach. "We both agree that it is time for a change," said Oilers' GM Steve Tambellini at a news conference in Edmonton on Wednesday. MacTavish will leave the organization completely. Brochu's take: It was time for a change in Edmonton. MacTavish should have no problems getting another head coaching job in the NHL. Source

According to Robin Brownlee of Oilers Nation, there are rumors that defenseman Sheldon Souray has asked the Edmonton Oilers for a trade. Brochu's take: Something is just isn't right about this rumor. Apparently, he had some concerns about the coaching staff (a problem that might have been resolved now), and he has deep roots in Alberta. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that Leafs GM Brian Burke has already contacted both the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning about their respective top picks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Burke has made it clear that he wants John Tavares, and will make a concerted effort to get him. Brochu's take: I think Burke wants to make a splash at the draft, but he doesn't exactly have a lot of assets to get that no. 1 pick. Source

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Ryan Shannon to a one-year contract.

NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 14, 2009

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed free agent forward Justin Bernhardt to an entry-level contract. The 21-year old has spent the past five seasons with the Regina Pats, Kelowna Rockets and the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. Source

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free agent forward Robert Slaney to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year old Slaney has spent the four seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL. Source

The Colorado Avalanche have fired GM Francois Giguere and team president Pierre Lacroix will take over until a replacement is found. Brochu's take: It looks like Giguere was the fall guy, as the Avs finished a dissappointing 28th in the NHL. Injuries really decimated the Avs this year, so it wasn't all Giguere's fault. Source

The Calgary Flames have placed defenseman Anders Eriksson on re-entry waivers. Brochu's take: I wonder if the Blackhawks would pick him up to spite Calgary?

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Tennessean is reporting that Alexander Radulov might consider a return to the Nashville Predators. Radulov is signed in Russia for next year, but also still has one year left on his contract with the Preds. Brochu's take: Like the article states, the dressing room might have problems accepting him back. I'm sure management doesn't mind at all. Source

Poll Results: (It's been awhile, so here's several)

Who was the "winner" of the NHL Trade Deadline?

Flames	64 (48%)
Coyotes	10 (7%)
Sharks	1 (0%)
Bruins	1 (0%)
Oilers	24 (18%)
Ducks	0 (0%)
Maple Leafs	4 (3%)
Rangers	11 (8%)
Other	18 (13%)

Total Votes: 133

What do you think of Alex Ovechkin's 50th goal celebration?

I like it!	16 (30%)
It's stupid!	16 (30%)
Don't care	20 (38%)

Total Votes: 52

Who will win the Hart Trophy?

Evgeni Malkin	18 (30%)
Alex Ovechkin	30 (50%)
Sidney Crosby	1 (1%)
Zach Parise	9 (15%)
Other	1 (1%)

Total Votes: 59

NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 13, 2009

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed forward Johan Franzen to a 11-year, $43 million contract extension, with an annual $3.9 million salary cap hit. Brochu's take: The contract is front-loaded, with the last few years of the contract at around $1 million. These long term contracts do scare me though. We've seen a few now, but there's no knowing what these players will be 5-6 years down the road. Source

According to the New York Post, the New Jersey Devils are frontrunners to land free agent defenseman Matt Gilroy. Gilroy just won the NCAA championship this weekend with Boston University, and is now free to have contract talks with NHL teams. Source

Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire has stepped down as head coach. Lemaire has said he wants to remain in hockey and will seek another position in the NHL. He will not be returning to the Wild in any capacity. Brochu's take: There have been rumors that the players were no longer paying any attention to him. Source

Brochu's European rumor roundup:

The Toronto Star is reporting that the Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars are the "leading contenders" to sign free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson. Gustavsson led Farjestad to the Swedish Elite League title this season. The 6-foot-3, 24-year-old goalie had a 1.96 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in 42 games. Source

According to Russian sources, St. Louis Blues goalie Manny Legace has received offers from two KHL teams, but wants to secure an NHL job for the 2009-2010 season. Source

Reports in Sweden are saying that SEL club Rogle may be interested in signing San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Vesce for next season. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 11, 2009

According to TSN, the Detroit Red Wings have re-signed forward Johan Franzen to a long-term contract extension. Sources say the deal is believed to be upwards of nine or 10 years in order to keep the salary cap hit to a manageable level for the Wings. Brochu's take: More on this later as the story breaks. It's been rumored the deal could be in the $33-$39 million range. Source

The Wings have also signed free agent goalie Jordan Pearce to a two-year, entry-level contract. Pearce, 22, has spent the past four seasons with Notre Dame University. Source

The San Jose Sharks have signed goalie Alex Stalock to an entry-level contract. Stalock was the Sharks' fourth round pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and has played the last three seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Source

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed defenseman Paul Postma to a three-year, entry-level contract. Postma was the Thrashers' seventh-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and scored a club-record 23 goals among a club record-equalling 84 points and led the WHL with a plus-67 with the Calgary Hitmen. Source

NHL and Hockey Rumors for April 10, 2009

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-called forward Miroslav Satan from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League on Friday. Brochu's take: Hmmm, there's no word on that he cleared re-entry waivers, which I assumed he cleared if he got recalled. I'm surprised no other team picked him up to prevent the Penguins from using him in the playoffs. Source

The Calgary Flames have re-signed forward David Moss to a three-year, $3.9 million contract extension. Brochu's take: A good deal. Moss is an emerging 20-goal scorer and should improve his stats year by year.

The New York Islanders have signed forward Justin DiBenedetto to a three-year, entry-level contract. DiBenedetto was the Isles' sixth round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Source

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed free agent defenseman David Sloane to an amateur tryout under emergency conditions, according to club GM Paul Holmgren. Sloane has spent the past four seasons with Colgate University. Brochu's take: He's an injury replacement for Ryan Parent, but I guess the Flyers were really desperate to get a guy in the lineup. Source

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent defenseman Geoff Kinrade to an amateur tryout. Kinrade has spent the past four seasons at Michigan Tech of the NCAA and will report to Tampa. Brochu's take: I usually don't report on ATOs, but these guys are actually signed by the NHL club and will play in NHL games. Source