My NHL Trade Rumors.com

Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times: Both Brad Richards and his agent indicated that they listen to offers from the Lightning if they came calling.

“I never really wanted to leave Tampa,” Richards told the St. Petersburg Times. “So, obviously, on July 1, if they talk to me, it’s going to be something I’ll listen to because of my history there.”

“Brad is going to examine all his options, but it is clear and is publicly known that he didn’t want to leave Tampa,” his agent, Pat Morris, said. “If Tampa likes him, he’s certainly going to listen to what they have to say, among many, many other teams, I’m sure.”

Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Manny Malhotra is still listed as day-to-day, but he should be able to go for today’s Game 2. Timing and conditioning are the main issues now. He’ll been his face-off and penalty killing ability is he’s able to go.

“I’ll see how I feel after the morning skate and we’ll make a decision,” Malhotra said. “I didn’t want this to be a sideshow. We always talk about in our dressing room that the whole is much greater than the individuals. We have a very strong focus in the room. It’s where it needs to be and I don’t want anything to sidetrack that.”

Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators defenseman Shane O’Brien is a UFA and will likely be looking for a raise from the $1.6 million he made last year. With the Preds having a deep farm systems for defenseman, having to pay Shea Weber and a few others, they may not have the money to re-sign him.

Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs will be working out 40 of the top 100 draft eligible players will they are in town for the combine. “We’ve got a bunch of kids coming for a quick follow-up for us,” Morrison said as Friday’s physical testing was getting under way. “They will do a quick medical and what we call a fitness assessment to augment what they are doing here. There will be a lot of stretching and balance exercises. What we do is something a little different just to help us to get a better picture.” The Leafs have 2 1st round picks and 1 2nd. According to head scout Dave Morrison,

“Brian has said it publicly: If we can (move up) to get somebody we want, we will do it. But by the same token, if it’s not there and we don’t make a deal we will be quite happy to pick with the picks that we have.”

“You have to take the best player because even though players are making it quicker now than they did perhaps years ago, but normally it takes a guy a few years to get there and by that time our needs may have changed.”

Will DePaoli via twitter: Both forward Craig Adams and Penguins GM Ray Shero want to get a deal done, but talks are quiet this week.

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins GM Ray Shero will look at all “available options via trade” for his UFA and RFA’s that aren’t signed by the Draft. The Pens currently have 17 players under contract at almost $56 million. Evgeni Malkin should be ready for training camp.

Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: NY Islanders prospect Kirill Petrov will play at least 1 more year in Russia. Petrov was a 3rd round pick in 2008.

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on August 20th, 2010

Tom Gulitti via twitter: New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello says “everything is status quo” on Kovalchuk talks. Then asked if still trying to sign him “Yes. I said I’m not going to comment until everything has come to a conclusion.”

Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Kovalchuk’s agent told SovSport that he’s hasn’t received any indication that Kovalchuk is considering the KHL. (This is great news for my fantasy hockey keeper team. The Aki Bergala’s are hoping the Kings steal him away from the Devils)

Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Alexander Semin was in a car accident. A police spokesman said that he wasn’t hurt when his mercedes collided with a Lada.

Peter Adler of the Edmonton Journal: The Washington Capitals have been talking to the Edmonton Oilers about Sheldon Souray, and the Vancouver Canucks about Kevin Bieksa. Tomas Fleischmann has been rumored to be heading the other way in both potential deals.

Chris Botta via twitter: Islanders 2008 3rd round pick, Kirill Petrov will be staying in the KHL next sesason according to his coach at Kazan. He has 2 years left on KHL contract.

Dave Fuller of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke would like the “World Cup of Hockey” to be brought back and played every 2 years as an alternate to the IIHF World Championship. The NHL and the players are barely compensated for World Championship and the Olympics.

“Each NHL team shuts down their business for close to three weeks while the Olympic Games are played. In return, fans, management and owners are often rewarded with tired or broken players on their return from Olympic competition.

“And it’s not fair that the athletes themselves are not compensated for their participation. They run the risk of injury in international tournaments, which can threaten their NHL livelihood.”

Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames currently have 22 players under contract at $61 million. There’s still plenty of time for the team to get under the $59.4 million salary cap. The team chose not to buyout Ales Kotalik, which would have put them under the salary cap. They have 8 defenseman on 1-way contracts. The Flames could move one of their defenseman, or bury one in the minors.

Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets are still talking to the Canucks about defenseman Kevin Bieksa.

Posts Tagged Kirill Petrov