Blackhawks and Senators swapping goalies?

TSN is reporting a rumor that Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray and Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon were considering a crazy trade that would involve swapping goaltenders Martin Gerber and Ray Emery for Nikolai Khabibulin and Patrick Lalime.

The Detroit Red Wings have made several offers to their impending free agents. The Wings would like to sign forward Dan Cleary to a long-term deal for $2.5 million a season, but he could earn more on the open market. Defenseman Andreas Lilja has been offered a two-year deal worth a little more than $1 million a season. Defenseman Chris Chelios will be offered another one-year deal after the season.

The club hopes to sign forward Henrik Zetterberg to a long-term deal for five or seven years in the neighborhood of $7 million a season during the first week of July. He has one year left on a deal that averages $2.65 million a season and can't be signed to an extension until July 1. Source

There are rumours that Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller could be moving to another team next year. Miller does not seem to be in a hurry to negotiate. Miller earns $2.5 million this year, and will eran to $3.5 million next season, the last in his three-year deal. A report in The Buffalo News has suggested the goaltender would be looking for a six-year contract worth around $41 million. Source

The acquisition of Cristobal Huet by the Washington Capitals have upset goaltender Olaf Kolzig, who is a UFA this summer. "I guess I'll talk with my wife about what we want to do next year or the year after." said Kolzig. He will most likely move to a new team in the summer. Source

Europe update, Kubina to San Jose?

Globe and Mail writer David Shoalts is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks had an agreement to trade Pavel Kubina, but the deal fell through. Interim GM Cliff Fletcher had allowed GM Doug Wilson to speak to Kubina's agent about waiving his no trade clause, but Kubina refused. However, it's possible that he can still be traded in the summer. According to his contract, if the Leafs do not make the playoffs, Kubina's no-trade clause is suspended from the day of the entry draft in June to Aug. 15. Source

Brochu's European roundup:

Riku Hahl may be returning to the NHL next season. Swedish website Dagbladet.se is reporting that Hahl would be open to returning. "Three or four NHL teams are interested in his services." said Hahl's agent Krister Kaukinen. Hahl is currently playing for Timrå in the SEL. Source

Rumors are swirling that Swedish Elite League team Leksands IF may try to persuade goalie Ed Belfour to stay another year by bringing his son Dayn Belfour to Sweden. Leksand have sent scouts to watch the youngster, who plays for the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Source

Swiss newspaper Blick is reporting that forward John Pohl will leave the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of the season and join Nationalliga A club Ambri Piotta in Switzerland. Source

Defenseman Janne Niskala is rumored to be leaving the Nashville Predators and returning to his Swedish Elite League club Färjestad. Source

Defenseman Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre will be leaving the New Jersey Devils at the end of the season and will play with Duisberg in the DEL for 2008-2009. Source

Senators fire Paddock, Low

The Ottawa Senators have fired coach John Paddock and assistant coach Ron Low. Speculation and rumours have surrounded the coach's future during the recent spell of bad games. GM Bryan Murray will take over coaching duties for the stretch run, while Paddock has been offered a job somewhere in the organization. Source

According to the Montreal Gazette, the Montreal Canadiens are believed to have offered forwards Michael Ryder, Maxim Lapierre and Mikhail Grabovski to the Atlanta Thrashers for Marian Hossa. GM Bob Gainey mentioned that the Thrashers wanted "4 elements", 3 of which were playing on Tuesday. Source

The Thrashers apparently wanted Antoine Vermette, Nick Foligno and 1st round pick in 2008 for Hossa, the Ottawa Sun reports. Source

Rumours are flying that Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero received orders from the owners to make a serious playoff run this year, leading to the acquisition of Hossa.

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that Vancouver Canucks GM Dave Nonis offered defenseman Luc Bourdon, goaltending prospect Cory Schneider, and Mason Raymond to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Brad Richards. Rumours are that the Lightning really wanted defenseman Alex Edler and forward Ryan Kesler.

NHL trade deadline round-up: Part 5

The Atlanta Thrashers traded forward Alex Giroux to the Washington Capitals for forward Joe Motzko.

The San Jose Sharks signed goaltender Brian Boucher to a one-year contract. Source

The New York Islanders re-signed forward Mike Comrie to a one-year, $4 million contract extension.

Are there any more? Email or leave a comment.

Poll results:

Should the NHL trade deadline be moved later?

Yes	29 (23%)
No	42 (33%)
Should be moved earlier	53 (42%)

Total votes: 124

Should neck guards be mandatory?

Yes	59 (39%)
No	91 (60%)

Total votes: 150

NHL trade deadline round-up: Part 4

The Los Angeles Kings traded defenseman Brad Stuart to the Detroit Red Wings for 2nd round pick in 2008 and a 4th round pick in 2009.

The Kings also traded goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin to the Anaheim Ducks for a 7th round pick in 2008.

The New York Islanders traded defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to the Anaheim Ducks for a 3rd round pick in 2008.

The Islanders also traded forward Chris Simon to the Minnesota Wild for a 6th round pick in 2008.

The San Jose Sharks traded defenseman Rob Davison to the Islanders for a 7th round pick in 2008.

The Anaheim Ducks traded forward Brandon Bochenski to the Nashville Predators for future considerations.

The Ducks also traded forward Brandon Segal and a 7th round pick in 2008 to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Jay Leach.

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded forward Jan Hlavac to the Nashville Predators for a 7th round pick in 2008.