Gionta Habs new Captain? Neal and Niskanen close with Stars … Redden to AHL?
Tom Gulitti via twitter: La Presse is reporting that Brian Gionta will be named as the new Montreal Canadiens captain. Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Dallas Stars feel they have made solid offers to James Neal and…
Nabokov going to Russia … Zherdev signing with the Flyers? No comment for Kovalchuk agent
4:37 PM: Helene Elliott via Twitter: "Kings believed to have gotten a proposal from Kovalchuk, but nothing has been settled and no response is imminent." 4:20 PM: Aaron Portzline via Twitter: Flyers and Zherdev deal could be finalized tonight. Pierre…
Kovalchuk and the Devils … Modano, Wings or retirement … Family concerns for Nabokov
Mark Everson of the NY Post: Nothing much has changed with Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils the past couple days. They are still considered the leading NHL candidate (maybe the only NHL candidate) to sign the Russian super-star.…
Coyotes and Oilers make a deal … Souray for Brewer in the works?
The Edmonton Oilers have sent forward Patrick O'Sullivan to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Jim Vandermeer. Both O'Sullivan ($2.925 million) and Vandermeer ($2.3 million) cleared waivers earlier today, and could still be bought out by their new clubs. Bob McKenzie…
Qualifying offers and other Free Agency Rumors
Yesterday at 5:00 pm was the deadline for teams to make qualifying offers from their RFAs. If they didn't receive a qualifying offer, they'll become a UFA. Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators did not qualify Denis Grebeshkov…
NHL Draft Day Rumors
George Richards of the Miami Herald: It's looking like the Florida Panthers will be selecting Erik Gudbranson with the 3rd overall pick. Erik Erlendsson via Twitter: The Tampa Bay Lightning are getting calls about the 6th overall pick, but Yzerman…
Rumor roundup from LeBrun … Oilers to draft Hall? When will Kaberle to Bruins talk start-up again? Canucks interested in Ladd
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: With Scott Niedermayer retiring, the Ducks will move to 'Plan B' with their defense needing an overhaul. Teemu Selanne is still undecided if he'll retire or not, the two sides will talk again next week. Three…
Burke outlines what it will take to get Kaberle … Phaneuf to be new Leaf Captain … Would Flyers trade Carter for a frontline goalie?
David Shoatls of the Globe and Mail: Brian Burke confirmed yesterday that Dion Phaneuf will be named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs haven't had a captain since Sundin left after the 2007-08 season. Francois Beauchemin and…
No big offer for Kovalchuk from KHL? No over-paying on Kulemin … Bertuzzi gets 2 year offer
Chris Botta of AOL Fanhouse: It was rumored yesterday that Ilya Kovalchuk received a $14 million per season contract offer from the KHL, but a 'reliable source' tells Fanhouse that, that is not the case. New Jersey's 1st round playoff…
Blue Jackets get their coach? Bertuzzi going to the open market? NY Rangers plan moving forward
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Sheldon Souray has 2-years at $5.4 million a season left on his contract, and their aren't many teams interested. The San Jose Sharks may come calling to replace Rob Blake and add some much…
More teams interested in Kaberle … Murray and Spezza to meet … Good fit for Nabokov could be Washington
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke mentioned the other day that 2 teams have shown interest in Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle, and according to Simmons, that number may have increased to at least 6 suitors. The return…
Wings won’t do anything until Lidstrom decides what he’s doing … Horton trade bait … What will the Canadiens do now?
George Malik of MLive: Red Wings GM Ken Holland told MLive that they can't re-sign Tomas Holmstrom, Todd Bertuzzi, or any of their 5 RFAs before they hear if Nicklas Lidstrom will be back next season or not. Lidstrom has…