Bleacher Report - Articles by Hockey Rumor Mill

Hockey Rumor Mill Vol. 19: Rangers Close To Signing Francis Bouillion

Hockey Rumor Mill — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:46:15 -0400

The very latest information to hit my desk!

Man what a busy night it has been, you all have no idea! Looks like the Rangers are always involved with the Hockey Rumor Mill as we have something else to report tonight.

Not a major move by any stretch of the imagination, but we have learned that Francis Bouillion is drawing serious interest from the Rangers, who still lack that sixth defenseman with experience.

We are told by our sources within the Rangers organization and Bouillion's agent that both parties have been talking and could reach an agreement as early as Tuesday.

Our sources have dictated that the contract is a one year deal worth approximately $1.2 million.

Bouillion to Rangers: HRM 5

Hockey Rumor Mill Vol. 17: Minnesota Wild Interested In Vaclav Prospal

Hockey Rumor Mill — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:19:15 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

The Minnesota Wild cleaned the house several months ago and are trying to get a more offensive oriented team together. Gaborik was allowed to walk away and the team went and signed Martin Havlat.

Since that blockbuster signing, the team has remained quiet. I just got off the phone with my source within the office of the Wild's GM Chuck Fletcher. She has confirmed that they are looking to acquire another winger, and that player is Vaclav Prospal.

Recently bought out by the Lightning, Prospal would fit in very well with the newly acquired Havlat. He adds size and skill. We should be hearing more of this, possibly even the official announcement in the next couple of days.

Prospal to Minnesota: HRM 3

By Leopold

HRM Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Mill Vol. 16: Brad Richards To The NY Rangers Is Very Close

Hockey Rumor Mill — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:16:42 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

Ladies and Gentlemen we can now tell you that without a shadow of a doubt the only reason why the Rangers have yet to sign Brandon Dubinsky is because they are planning to package him in a deal.

We have recently learned that the package includes Michal Rozsival and a prospect being sent to Dallas in exchange for Brad Richards and another player yet to be named.

The Hockey Rumor Mill has received confirmation with our sources in the Stars organization that Dallas and the Rangers are indeed very close on sealing a deal that would send Richards to Broadway.

Dubinsky is asking for an amount that Sather does not see fit—an amount higher than what Ryan Callahan got last month. It is because of this that the two parties have temporarily stopped talks and this trade is in the works.

Richards to New York: HRM 4

By Leopold

HRM Correspondent

PS: Hockey Rumor Mill was the first outlet to call the Morris to Boston signing.

Hockey Rumor Mill, Vol. 15: Vinny Lecavalier To Maple Leafs Deal Is Rustling

Hockey Rumor Mill — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:48:49 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

The biggest name on the trading block as you all know is Vinny Lecavalier of Tampa Bay. It has been widely speculated that he would soon be dealt, the only question is to where exactly.

Well ladies and gentlemen, you can end your speculation now!

When Brian Burke was hired to be the next GM of the Maple Leafs it was certain that this team was going to undergo a renaissance. His new team is pretty much complete and the team still has over $7 million in cap space.

The team is solid, better then last season's, but it still lacks some serious pizazz. That's where this latest rumor comes to play.

Our on-location reporter phoned me with the news as soon as possible. After finishing an interview with a worker inside the Leafs organization who spoke on the condition of anonymity, he had what he was looking for.

Brian Burke and the Leafs are making a serious push for Vinny Lecavalier.

Lecavalier is due to make $10 million ($7.73 million on the cap) this season and with only $7 million available, it puts the Leafs in a bit of a tight situation. It gives them no room to maneuver. That is why the Kaberle trade rumors made so much sense to us here at the Hockey Rumor Mill.

Very soon both Kaberle and (most likely) Blake will be dealt to make room for the big name acquisition in Lecavalier. We are certain Blake will end up with St. Louis.

The conversations have been carrying out for days now and we are only certain that a deal will happen before August.

Lecavalier to Toronto: HRB 3

By Leopold

HRM Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Mill Vol. 14: Derek Morris To Bruins Is Almost Done Deal

Hockey Rumor Mill — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:54:38 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

It has taken me hours to finally get a confirmation from one of our sources within the Bruins organization but it appears we have something useful to report.

Derek Morris is close to inking a three year deal with the Boston Bruins, as our source has dictated. This move is to fill the gap left on the Boston defense after today's trade of Aaron Ward to Carolina.

Turns out the only reason this signing did not happen earlier was because of Morris' concern over years, and not dollars. It is definite he will sign for approximately $3 million, but we are very confident it is for three years as stated above.

This move is all but done so if you are a Bruins fan, start ordering those Morris jerseys! I will bet my house on that!

Morris to Boston: HRM 5

By Leopold

HRM Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Mill Vol. 13: New York Islanders Targeting Brandon Dubinsky

Hockey Rumor Mill — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:38:01 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

This latest rumbling that has come all the way through the grapevine is sure to be the shocker of the summer! Without giving away where I work, let's just say that Islanders owner Charles Wang was in town today where our reporter had the chance to confront him.

After a few questions, Wang directed him to Garth Snow's office, where we heard this shocking piece of information. Although our source wishes to remain nameless, he explicitly told us that the Islanders will soon be courting Brandon Dubinsky, a restricted free agent of the Rangers.

He told us the Islanders top brass were amazed that he hadn't been signed yet and due to their enormous amount of cap room and their lack of a decent No. 2 center to go behind Tavares, they will make a push for him.

This is truly the story of the week and over the next few days we will hear more about this. I believe the deal is imminent as our sources have dictated.

Dubinsky to Islanders: HRB 4

By Leopold

HRB Correspondent

Edit: Please note that from now on, our media outlet has been renamed to "Hockey Rumor Mill" to prevent any confusion with another outlet that we are not affiliated with.

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 12: Buffalo Sabres to Bring Back Miroslav Satan

Hockey Rumor Mill — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:04:46 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! This next piece if inside information will make you excited, whether or not you're a fan of the Buffalo Sabres.

Before I get to the actual info, let me say that I wanted so badly to keep the title of this article short by omitting the "Miroslav," but how strange would a headline be if it read, "Buffalo Sabres to Bring Back Satan"?

Next thing you know, people would be accusing me of calling Tom Golisano, an occult leader and disciple of Anton LaVey. But that's beside the point. To the rumor we go!

One time Buffalo Sabre winger Miroslav Satan is quietly still on the free agent market with no place to call home.

The Penguins will not bring him back and there are no teams seriously interested in him. Our source close to Sabres management has informed us that they are making a serious push for Satan.

He will come at an affordable rate and can still put the puck in the net. It is expected the Sabres will go all out to land this free agent.

Satan to Buffalo: HRB 5

By Leopold

HRB Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz, Volume 11: Calgary's Heart Is Set on an Old Flame

Hockey Rumor Mill — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:33:31 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

I come back from my week long hiatus with news big enough to stir the excitement of any hockey fan! We finally have the definitive answer to the player causing so much trouble over the rumor circuit!

We had heard from an inside source that wishes to remain anonymous that the Calgary Flames are making a late push to sign Alex Tanguay, who would be making his second stint there.

The only snag is the Flames' lack of cap space and a trade would have to be made to free some up, but GM Sutter is actively working the phones as we speak. Calgary is looking to replace the loss of Mike Cammalleri with a cheaper, veteran option and we should be hearing word of this signing very shortly.

Tanguay to Calgary: HRB 4

By Leopold

HRB Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 10: Schneider To Kings, Zubov To Rangers

Hockey Rumor Mill — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:32:56 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

I might as well start off by calling this the decrepit defensemen edition of Hockey Rumor Buzz. No wait! Better yet, the dinosaur edition!

Today we focus on 39-year-old Sergei Zubov and 40-year-old Mathieu Schneider, both experienced free agent defensemen that are still on the market.

The reason why this edition wasn't presented before today was because being that we wanted to have this confirmed by our sources, without a doubt, we waited so we get it right.

Our sources with both the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers have confirmed that both deals are almost close to completion and we may see announcements coming very shortly.

"Sergei was a valuable part of this team when they won the Cup in 1994 and he can be again here and now", a source inside the Rangers organization told our reports.

We were unable to get a quote from our source within Kings' management, but rest assured they are busy working with Schneider's agent; the figures have to be tweaked just a little, then the announcement will be made.

Turns out both defensemen will be returning to a team they once played for, which is kind of ironic since this may be the last season for both. Sort of like things coming full circle for these great players.

Zubov to Rangers: HRB 5

Schneider to Kings: HRB 4

By Leopold

HRB Correspondant

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 9: Gagne to Montreal Is What I'm Hearing

Hockey Rumor Mill — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:04:32 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

If you are scouring the National Hockey league looking for the epitome of a team in salary cap hell, you will find that it is the Philadelphia Flyers, who have just over $2 million left.

My sources close to the Flyers have informed me that the team has been trying to deal Simon Gagne for months now, but since he has a no trade clause, it has been close to impossible. However, my insider has informed me that Gagne would in fact waive that clause in order to play in Montreal.

The French Canadian would feel right at home by accepting a trade to the Canadiens, and as you are reading this article right now, I am guaranteeing that Bob Gainey and Paul Holmgren are working the phones trying to get a deal done.

We may be seeing Gagne in red, white, and blue very, very soon!

Gagne to Canadiens HRB Rating: 4

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 8: Morrison To Sabres Is Almost Done

Hockey Rumor Mill — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:56:14 -0400

The Latest Information to Hit My Desk

The Buffalo Sabres had a difficult time in recent seasons luring big name free agents to come play for them. Because of that, they are now in hot pursuit of Plan-B.

Brendan Morrison, formerly of the Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks, is being courted by Sabres' management, as confirmed by two of our sources.

The Canadian born center came to fame playing between Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi on Vancouver before the lockout. He is no longer as skilled as he once was but will provide what the Sabres need: experience up the middle.

We could be hearing of this signing as early as tomorrow morning.

Morrison to Sabres HRB Rating: 5

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 7: Islanders, Coyotes Involved in Blockbuster

Hockey Rumor Mill — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:18:12 -0400

The Latest Information to Hit My Desk

The New York Islanders, who are coming off a very successful draft, are still looking to improve their defensive corps.

The Phoenix Coyotes are in even worse financial trouble, then the above mentioned Islanders, are trying to unload some of their higher priced contracts, with the exception of Shane Doan.

One of our hockey insiders, who has asked us to keep his identity a secret, has informed Hockey Rumor Buzz that a major trade is coming between the Coyotes and Islanders, and involves Ed Jovanovski.

"Jovo" as he is known in Phoenix has two years remaining on his contract that will pay him $6.5 million in each season. The Coyotes are looking to get out of it.

Meanwhile, the Islanders who, have a relatively inexperienced defense, are not only looking to get a little older, but want to add some toughness as well.

By making this trade they will be adding one of the better shots from the point in the entire league, and when you couple that with Mark Streit, it makes for a deadly point combination.

The source has only confirmed Jovanovski is part of the deal, but it's widely believed that the Islanders will be parting with Andy Sutton to acquire him. Sutton only has one year remaining at $3 million and the Coyotes will not only be saving themselves $3.5 million, but they will also be cutting a season too.

It's a win-win for both teams!

Jovanovski to Islanders HRB Rating: 4

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 6: Where Will They Land?

Hockey Rumor Mill — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:14:22 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

After a quiet start to NHL free agency, quite a few big names remained unsigned. We have taken some of the big names still out there with probable destinations. Destinations are in order from most probable to least as dictated by our sources.

Centers

Saku Koivu- ANH,NJD,NYR,MIN

Brendan Morrison- NYI, VAN, NJD

Robert Lang- LAK, VAN, EDM

Jason Williams-CBJ, DAL,FLP

Mike Comrie- NJD, MIN, NYR

Wings

Maxim Afinogenov- NJD,LAK, BUF

Miroslav Satan- BUF, Europe

Ales Kotalik- NJD,NYR, NSH

Todd Bertuzzi- TOR, PHI, MIN

Mike Grier- TOR

Alex Tanguay- FLA, PHO, NYR, COL, LAK

Travis Moen- SJS, ANH, EDM

Taylor Pyatt- EDM, TOR

Defenseman

Matt Schneider-LAK

Sergei Zubov-STL,NYR,DAL,ATL

Jay McKee-NSH, ATL, FLA

Derek Morris- NYR,OTT, MON

Nick Boynton- FLA, NYR, MON

Paul Mara- ATL, OTT, DAL

By Loeb

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 5: Devils In Hot Pursuit Of Afinogenov, Kotalik

Hockey Rumor Mill — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:38:43 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

When looking at the New Jersey Devils lackluster roster, it is certain that they are looking to bolster a very mediocre forward corps that saw the team lose John Madden, Bobby Holik, and Mike Rupp.

The answer to the Devils woes comes in the form of two ex-Buffalo Sabres forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Ales Kotalik.

A source very close to Devils management has informed us, after much reluctance at first, that the Devils have not only made an offer to Saku Koivu, as stated yesterday by Hockey Rumor Buzz, but are also pursuing these two aforementioned players.

Both have blazing speed and can put the puck in the net and with the right linemates, twenty goals from each of them will be very easily acquired.

In the next few days you will be hearing more of this situation and expect a signing shortly after.

Afinogenov to New Jersey HRB Rating: 5

Kotalik to New Jersey HRB Rating: 3

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 4: Sakic To Retire? Don't Bet On It!

Hockey Rumor Mill — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:28:13 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

We all know that Joe Sakic has announced he will be calling a press conference this Thursday afternoon to announce something.

Being that he is no spring chicken at 40 years of age, everyone is assuming he will be announcing his retirement. Well, I wouldn't count on that so soon.

Coming off a season in which he missed a majority of the games due to an injury with a snow blower that left his hand in shreds, Sakic still has a lot of energy left for another full season in the National Hockey League, the main reason being the fact that he took last season off.

Granted, Colorado was brutal last season and there isn't much reason to suspect otherwise this year, but there is a bright young face in the organization that was touted as the best all-around prospect in this year's draft—Matt Duchene.

A source very close to Sakic has told us that he is still pondering the decision, which is obviously a very hard one to make.

There is no doubt that Duchene will be put right into the lineup, and as a young, rookie centerman, who better then to teach you the ropes then the future Hall of Fame lock Joe Sakic, who has more then 600 goals?

The answer? No one.

So come Thursday afternoon, Joe Sakic will be announcing that he is staying on for one final season to cap off his brilliant career; not only playing for himself, but playing to help the next superstar in the franchise, and to pass the torch to Matt Duchene.

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 3: Sundin to Calgary? I Can Feel It in My Bones

Hockey Rumor Mill — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:15:14 -0400

The Latest Information to Hit My Desk

All this talk and speculation about Mats Sundin calling it quits is nothing but hogwash!

Hogwash I tell you! After all, didn't this same player retire about 15 times last season?

Sundin, who spent the majority of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, after a brief stint in Quebec, went on to become their all-time points leader. After a summer that included more drama then a soap opera, Sundin finally chose the Vancouver Canucks as his next team.

He was offered a two-year deal by the Canucks, but most people don't understand that he didn't accept that offer and it was really just a one-year deal.

For that, Sundin is free to hit the market and the Calgary Flames will be his next destination.

A source very close to Darryl Sutter and Flame Management has confirmed that the team is, in fact, making a major play for him, especially since the hard-nosed Mike Keenan has been fired, and the team lost Mike Cammalleri to free agency.

The source has also told me that the team will be giving Sundin a strict deadline and we should see news of this very shortly.

Sundin to Calgary HRB rating: 4

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 2: Tanguay, Heatley, and Koivu...Oh My!

Hockey Rumor Mill — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:47:40 -0400

The latest information to hit my desk!

Alex Tanguay is being heavily persued by the Florida Panthers, and a deal is in the works. We should see an announcement of the deal coming tomorrow, or just the day after. No word yet on the length or money, but after being turned down by Colorado, he has nowhere else to turn.

The Coyotes have also put in a bid but he isn't ready to totally cash it in and play for money alone. He wants to win and right now the Panthers are the better team.

Tanguay to Florida HRB Rating: 4

Next comes Saku Koivu who is being courted by the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and Minnesota Wild. The Wild have the best offer, which isn't money or years but Koivu's own brother Mikko. It is unlikely he will end up there.

The Devils and Rangers now have both offered three year deals but where would you rather play and lose? In a musky dump in the middle of a gang violence zone, or in the bright spotlight of Broadway? I say Koivu ends up in New York.

Koivu to New York HRB Rating: 4

Finally if there were one constant player involving the news to reach my desk, it's Dany Heatley. First he demands a trade, then vetoes it. He wants to play for the Rangers...no wait! He changes his mind to Edmonton...snap! Never wanted to play there in the first place.

A tug of war that turns into a game of catch with Brian Murray's balls.

Turns out we were all wrong as Heatley will very soon be a San Jose Shark. I will bet my house on it...err...apartment. But the establishment isn't the case. Dany Heatley will be playing out on the west coast before you know it!

Heatley to San Jose HRB Rating: 5

By Leopold

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondent

Hockey Rumor Buzz Volume 1: An Introduction

Hockey Rumor Mill — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:34:25 -0400

Good evening ladies and gentlemen on Bleacher Report. I'm give you an introduction to Hockey Rumor Buzz, the only source for the real inside scoop here on this fine web site.

This site has many features but it lacks one thing; a real outlet with beat reporters and franchise insiders.

We promise you one thing here and that is up to the minute reporting of the latest inside information the minute it hits our desk.

Of course we cannot promise that each one will come true. So we have devised a percentage system that each rumor will be ranked by (1-5). The greater the number, the greater the chance the rumor has of coming true.

It's not rocket science so it should catch on. Please stay tuned as rumors will be coming fast and furiously.

By Leopold and Loeb

Hockey Rumor Buzz Correspondents