My NHL Trade Rumors.com

Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Maxim Afingenov had offers from 3 NHL teams, but chose the KHL because of the contract length.

Nick Kypreos via twitter: The deal hasn’t been finalized for Chris Chelios to take a front office position with the Red Wings. He also has a similar offer from the Blackhawks, and possibly a “huge KHL offer”.

Curtis Zupke of the OC Register: Reports that Teemu Selanne has signed with the Anaheim Ducks are a little premature. He’s close to a desicion, but nothing official yet. Selanne is pitching the Ducks and Paul Kariya for another reunion. “I’ve talked to Paul and the Ducks,” Selanne told the publication. “Paul has been waiting for my decision and I hope things move forward.”

Helene Elliot via twitter: The Anaheim Ducks could be interested in Paul Kariya at right price.

Brannan Klak (NHLRumors) via twitter: Ducks to talk to Kariya yesterday and Ruslan Salei on Monday.

Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: According to Oilers assistant GM, Rick Olczyk, the rumors are false that they are looking for a loophole to get out of Nikolai Khabibulin’s contract. The signing of Martin Gerber had nothing to do with the possibility that Khabibulin could be sentenced to prison, “It had nothing at all to do with that,” Olczyk said of Khabibulin’s impending trial on extreme DUI charges in Scottsdale. “He had a tremendous year in the KHL and we needed to fill a void. We felt it was the right move and the right player at this particular point in time. It has nothing at all, and I’d like to stress that, it has nothing to do with Khabby.”

Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Russo’s initial thought after the Wild signed John Madden was that it was the end of James Sheppard, but maybe not according to GM Fletcher, “Not necessarily at all. The performance of players in training camp will determine what we do.” Pierre-Marc Bouchard will start skating soon in Montreal. Fletcher doens’t much else happening for the Wild this offseason, he not actively pursuing anything.

Ansar Khan of Mlive: The Red Wings are one of six teams interested in Willie Mitchell, but that number could shrink when dollars are discussed according to Mitchell’s agent.

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Rossi has been told that the Penguins “are not entertaining the possibility of trading C Evgeni Malkin”.

Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Cook doesn’t think the Penguins will bring back UFAs: Sergei Gonchar, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Bill Guerin, Jordan Leopold, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Jay McKee. Matt Cooke (depending on how much money he wants) and Mark Eaton are the best possibilities to be brought back by the Pens.

Ken Weibe of QMI Agency in the Toronto Sun: Windsor Spitfires coach thinks Taylor Hall should be the #1 pick (not a surprise since he coaches him). Part of the belief that the Oilers could select Tyler Seguin with the #1 pick is that they need a ‘center of the future’. Coach Bob Boughner says Hall is naturally a center … “Taylor is a centre naturally, he’s playing left wing on our team but he’ll take some draws once in a while and he’s good on draws,” said Boughner. “I don’t doubt that if he goes to the next level and they need a centre, he could play centre as well. He’s pretty strong on the puck. “The reason I put him on the wing is to conserve his energy and expose other teams wide because he has that speed.”

Kevin Allen of the USA Today: The Atlanta Thrashers have talked with 2 of their UFAs, Pavel Kubina and Maxim Afinogenov, and come away thinking they have a good chance at re-signing them. Allen thinks Kubina will want a deal in the 4 year, $16 million range, which might be problem for the Thrashers. It doesn’t look like Colby Armstrong will be back with the Thrashers next season.

Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks RFA Mason Raymond could be on the trade block this summer. The going rate for a 25 goal scorer is around $2.5-3 million, but how do you offer him over $2 million when Alex Burrows makes that much and scored 38 goals. Raymond’s game is also similar to another RFA, Michael Grabner. The Canucks could trade him for a top-4 defenseman, or for some more size up front (if they are giving him up for more size, that player has to have some skill as well).

Craig Custance of the Sporting News: There are currently 4 teams without a head coach: Atlanta, Columbus, New Jersey, and Tampa. Custance goes through top coaching candidates out there. “The AHL Contingent” – Guy Boucher (Hamilton), Scott Arniel (Manitoba), and Kevin Dineen (Portland). “Top NHL Assistants” – Craig Ramsey (Boston), Paul MacLean (Detroit), Brent Peterson (Nashville). “Stanley Cup Winners” – Bob Hartley and Ken Hitchcock. “Recent NHL Experience” – Craig MacTavish, John Stevens, and Rick Tocchet.

Posts Tagged Maxim Afingenov