Malkin could be out 2-3 months(Rumor)

I read on a site that said ESPN reportedly said Malkin could be out atleast 2-3 months and up to 6. Take this with a grain of salt.

In case you missed the hit, here it is.

Hawks still looking at Boucher

“Tallon and Tom Laidlaw, the agent for goaltender Brian Boucher, still are discussing a contract. Boucher had been looking for a one-way deal—in which he would make his NHL salary even if he were sent to the minors—before coming to Chicago for a tryout.”

Forsberg New Flyer Captain(may see new deal?)

Following the official retirement yesterday of Keith Primeau, the Flyers’ captain since October 2001, Forsberg was named the 15th player to take the “C” in the history of the franchise.

“I think Peter is the obvious choice for our team,” general manager Bob Clarke said. “Not only is he our best player, but he’s also won a Stanley Cup.

“He’s experienced enough to know what the game needs and what the team needs to be a winner. I don’t think the selection of Peter was very hard for us to make.”

Last year’s interim captain, Derian Hatcher, and Simon Gagne were named alternates.

It always has been assumed that Forsberg, a 33-year-old veteran, did not want the role of captain, that he was content to lead on the ice and leave the locker room to other players.

Selecting Forsberg will not come without issues. He is in the last year of his contract, so the Flyers will have to consider extending him to avoid having a lame-duck captain.”

Does Zherdev want a trade?

Zherdev’s agent, Rolland Hedges, said the Carter signing “doesn’t surprise me. I’ve thought they would want to trade Nikolai or keep him in Russia. We knew Doug’s position, and now we know the next step. What’s the next step after this? That is the question.”

Does Zherdev now want a trade?

“We asked Columbus to trade him months ago if they couldn’t sign him,” Hedges said. “As I’ve told everyone, Nikolai wants to play in the NHL.”

MacLean has been adamant: He’s not trading Zherdev. MacLean recently told a satellite radio audience that Zherdev, who is playing for Khimik Voskresenk in Russia, can stay “in that developmental league” for the year and face a $500,000 offer when he decides to return.

MacLean toned down his rhetoric last night.

“I’ve met with ownership and discussed the matter at great length,” MacLean said. “We are committed to negotiating with Zherdev. … It (an agreement) is just not happening right now. For whatever reason, we just haven’t been able to find common ground. We can’t agree on comparables.”

It’s unlikely a deal will get done between now and Oct. 6, when Zherdev’s contract with his Russian league team kicks in for the full season. He will make more than $1.5 million, tax-free.

Enter Carter, who was thought to be close to re-signing with Vancouver before the Canucks ran short of salary-cap space. Only recently has Carter been entertaining offers from other teams.

“Whether I was going to sign in July or September, it wasn’t going to affect the way I train,” Carter said. “I wanted to check the lay of the land, which is a luxury you have as an unrestricted free agent. I wanted to find a place where I could fit in, where there was potential for team success, and where, potentially, I could put down some roots and maybe be there long term.”

He’s attractive to the Blue Jackets on many levels. He’s known as a conscientious two-way player, so he’s comfortable alongside younger players. He’s a right-hand shot and he’s strong in front of the net, both assets for the power play. And he’s a consistent scorer with a proven record of turning garbage into goals.

Carter has scored 40 or more points in seven of his eight full seasons in the league. He has reached 60 points twice. Last season, he had 33 goals, a career high, playing on a line with the Sedin twins in Vancouver.

Carter should fit nicely among the Blue Jackets’ cast of top-six forwards, which includes centers Sergei Fedorov and Gilbert Brule, left wingers Rick Nash and Fredrik Modin and right winger David Vyborny.

“There’s a great mix of top-six forwards, and it’s just a great fit for me,” Carter said. “Whoever they ask me to play with, I’m going to do my best to make the team better.”

Carter’s agent, Pat Brisson, said he opened a dialogue with MacLean last week. Brisson said $2.5 million is “fair-market value” on a one-year contract for a player of Carter’s ilk. He added that the Blue Jackets’ youthful talent was a powerful attraction.

“He’s going to the right environment and he’s very excited,” Brisson said. “He wants to produce and hopefully sign a longer-term deal.”

Hurricanes defensive prospect Johnson could be traded

Now that Frantisek Kaberle will miss most of this season because of shoulder surgery, the Carolina Hurricanes are in desperate need of a defenceman.

Carolina GM Jim Rutherford has begun making calls to other GMs in an effort to trade the 6-foot-1, 200-pound, hard-hitting, fast-skating blueliner.

“He’s in play,” a source said. “Carolina isn’t going to give him away because he’s a blue-chip asset, but if they get the right deal, he’s gone.”

Zherdev says no again; trade talks will now prosper

Rumor has it, Nikolai Zherdev has turned down yet another offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets. After Columbus signed Carter today, and after Columbus refused to go on with the Zherdev if he declines again, one can expect some heavy trade rumors in the coming days.

St. Louis Blues showing interest in Radek Dvorak

The Blues have apparently shown interest in unrestricted free agent Radek Dvorak, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Dvorak, 29, is also believed to be talking with the Detroit Red Wings, while the New York Rangers have expressed an interest.

Ruutu making progress

 ”Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon and the agent for winger Tuomo Ruutu, Chicago-based Bill Zito, had another round of negotiations on a new contract Tuesday, with Zito saying progress had been made.”

Allison could be in the works for a 1 year deal with Flames

Allison could be set to sign a 1 year deal with the Flames. Can’t say where i read this rumor(legal reasons) but the Flames have been looking at Allison since as early as late July and are reportedly now in the works with Allison who may already be signed. Flames are looking for another point producer, and Allison may fit the bill if the price is right.

Flyers sign Kesler to offer sheet; Canucks will match

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Vancouver Canucks restricted free agent forward Ryan Kesler to an offer sheet.  Sources tell TSN the deal is worth $1.9 million for one season.

The Vancouver Canucks have seven days to match this offer, but sources have told TSN it is absolutely certain the Vancouver Canucks will match the offer sheet.

The Canucks have seven days to decide whether to match but a source close to the Canucks said the decision to match Philadelphia’s offer sheet has already been made and Kesler will remain a Canuck, earning $1.9 million, which is more than twice what he was being offered by Vancouver.

As soon as Vancouver matches, NHL rules prohibit Kesler from being traded by Vancouver for a period of one year.