Twitter rumors and Free Agent signings quick hits
6:01 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: "Just hung up phone with Dean Lombardi. Asked him if he was closing in on Kovalchuk, "No." Asked if he's still in the mix, "Not sure.''" 5:59 PM: Adrian Dater via Twitter: Kovalchuk to…
Oilers want 1st and 2nd overall pick … Ballard being traded out west?
John Shannon via Twitter: Keith Ballard may be going west, but it won't be to St. Louis. Bruce Garrioch via Twitter: The Blues have shown interest in Ballard. Bob McKenzie via Twitter: Player most likely traded today could be Florida's…
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…
Some late day NHL Rumor quick hits
Dmitry Chesnokov via Twitter: Filatov: "I am coming back to CBJ in August. I have already spoken with GM. Haven't talked to coach, but read he's good w/young players." TSN: The Boston Bruins have granted Tim Thomas' agent, Bill Zito,…
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…
Nathan Horton traded to the Boston Bruins
The Florida Panthers have sent Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell to the Boston Bruins for the 15th pick in this years NHL Draft, Dennis Wideman and a 2011 3rd round pick. Horton has never really lived up to expectations in…
Rumor Roundup from Dreger and LeBrun
Darren Dreger of TSN: There's a good chance that Sergei Gonchar and the Penguins won't reach a deal by July 1st, and the Pens could look at trading his rights. Gonchar could get upwards of $6 million on the open…
Horton on the move before the draft? Stars need a pucking moving defenseman … To get Chiarelli’s attention, Oilers could ….
DJ Been of WEEI: There were reports that this weekend that the Bruins were close to trading for Nathan Horton, but it hasn't happened yet. Several teams may also be close on a deal for him. The Maple Leafs are…
Bruins trading for the 4th overall pick? Weiss not getting traded?
Brandon Worley of the NBCsports.com: I'm shaking my ahead over this one, as there seems to be many holes. According to Worley's 'reliable source', the Boston Bruins would send Marc Savard, RFA Blake Wheeler, and the 15th overall pick to…
Horton dealt by Draft, to Sabres? St. Louis to get extension … Oilers getting calls for #1
Steve Gorten of the Sun Sentinel: Nathan Horton's time as a Florida Panther could be close to coming to an end. It's looking like he'll be dealt by next weeks NHL draft, and it wouldn't surprise his agent. Horton has…
More on the Flyers goalie situation … Leafs and Blue Jackets interested in Patrick Sharp …
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Carchidi thinks the Flyers should re-sign Leighton and go after a 'more proven goalie'. Brian Boucher is still under contract for one more year (at a reasonable number), and they could try to get…
Blackhawks off-season talk … Plekanec out-priced Montreal? Quick hits on Free Agents from Hradek
E.J. Hradek of ESPN: Hradek talked to Scott Niedermayer on if he'll retire or not. A decision will be made in the next few weeks, Hradrek thinks he'll retire. Where Ilya Kovalchuk signs is anyones guess, but Hradek doesn't think…