Red Wings Trade Rumors

"The gang's all here: Steve Yzerman. Doug Armstrong. Bob Nicholson. Brian Burke. Even Scotty Bowman. Many of the names associated with the vacant Leaf general manager's job have come to Halifax for the world championships at some point, providing an opportunity for one-stop shopping. The Leafs' search committee, however, has not. "It does sound like a great grocery store, though," joked lawyer Gordon Kirke, who's on the committee with Leaf president Richard Peddie. Yzerman is here as Team Canada's GM, Armstrong is his assistant and Nicholson is the president of Hockey Canada."

"The Maple Leafs are still waiting to hear if they have landed Swedish free-agent winger Fabian Brunnstrom. The 23-year-old had narrowed the field of suitors to four – Toronto, Dallas, Detroit and Montreal – and it was anticipated he would announce the decision on where he wants to play yesterday. But there was no definitive word. "We expect to hear in the next couple of days," Toronto's interim general manager Cliff Fletcher said. "

"Who is Fabian Brunnstrom and why are so many NHL teams - including the Canadiens - interested in him? Brunnstrom is back home in Sweden trying to decide where he would like to play after a whirlwind North American tour. He spent two days in Montreal, visited Detroit and Denver, and talked to people in Dallas and Toronto. He has been hailed as the best hockey player not under contract to an NHL team and has attracted a lot of attention as a 23-year-old free agent. Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said yesterday he felt Brunnstrom has the talent to play in the NHL, but a quick look at the Swede's résumé suggests this guy poses more questions than Alex Trebek."

"Vancouver isn't on Fabian Brunnstrom's travel itinerary, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Canucks are off the list of NHL teams with whom the Swedish free agent may potentially sign. Brunnstrom was reported in Dallas on Tuesday and will also be travelling to Detroit and Montreal and likely Toronto for some mutual tire kicking, as the 23-year-old forward gets down to the nitty gritty of where he will play in the NHL this fall. The Canucks were on the verge of getting Brunnstrom's name on a contract two weeks ago, but the surprise firing of GM Dave Nonis put the move on hold."

"Sources tell TSN Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom is in Dallas and attended Game 3 of the Stars - San Jose Sharks Conference Semifinals with the Stars showing great interest in signing him. Brunnstrom is on a mini-North American tour, checking out the cities he is considering as potential sites to begin his NHL career. He is expected to be in Denver on Thursday for Game 4 between the Avalanche and Red Wings."

" Peddie, the president and CEO of MLSEL, and sports lawyer Kirke now have some interesting choices: - Wait for the playoffs to run their course and see if any high-profile names become available. Should the Detroit Red Wings or San Jose Sharks go all the way, GMs Ken Holland or Doug Wilson might look to cash in elsewhere. - Concentrate on unfettered candidates, such as Doug Armstrong or Jim Rutherford. - Go after team presidential timber such as NHL exec Colin Campbell and sports agent Don Meehan and let them make the call on a GM. - Stay the course with interim GM Cliff Fletcher. "

"General manager Ken Holland said he's talking to J.P. Barry, the agent for Swedish forward Fabian Brunnstrom, an unrestricted free agent."

"Fabian Brunnstrom, an uber-hyped Swedish forward, had narrowed his NHL choices to Detroit and Vancouver from a list of six offers."

"Fletcher said the candidates who are under contract to other NHL teams will not be contacted until their teams are out of the playoffs. Since the front-runners are Brian Burke of the Anaheim Ducks and Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings, Leaf fans will undoubtedly take an unusually keen interest in the Western Conference playoffs."

"Unless they reach an agreement in the next day or two, it appears the Detroit Red Wings will table contract talks with coach Mike Babcock until after the playoffs."

"Dallas Drake , retired hockey player? The Red Wings forward is facing that decision as another hockey season winds down. "

"Chelios has been invaluable to the Wings time and again, accepting a role as primarily a third-pairing guy and penalty killer, but always willing and able to do more if needed. Barring a disastrous playoff run, he's as good as guaranteed another season."

"The Detroit Red Wings have become so enamoured with defenceman Brad Stuart, who has a broken finger, that they don't intend to let him walk July 1. Stuart, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline, will be out about three weeks."

"On the speculation out of Ottawa last weekend he would be a candidate for the Senators job, Babcock said: "I want to be here and (general manager) Kenny (Holland ) wants me to be here." Babcock can option out of his contract at the end of this season. Holland has had brief talks with Babcock's agent and said he'll have more in the near future. "

"The longer Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock goes without signing a contract extension, the more speculation is sure to swirl about his future with the club. Babcock, however, said he is not planning to go anywhere. He is confident a deal will be worked out with the Red Wings, if not before the end of the regular season, then after the playoffs. "

" Could Mike Babcock be the next coach of the Senators? The Detroit Red Wings bench boss could become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and while he has had contract talks with the Wings, there is a possibility he could be on the open market this summer... Chicago's Martin Havlat had shoulder surgery earlier this week. He will be ready for training camp next September, but don't be surprised if he's no longer with the Hawks. With one year left at $6 million US on his contract, many observers believe he will be traded in the off-season. "

"Brad Stuart, an unrestricted free agent this summer, is not focusing on his future, but said he would prefer to remain in the Western Conference."

"General manager Ken Holland said he's getting closer to a new contract agreement with forward Dan Cleary, who is out with a fractured jaw."

"The Detroit Red Wings are making progress in their efforts to re-sign forward Dan Cleary. The sides have agreed on the length of the contract -- five years. But they're still negotiating the salary. "

"Could former Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller be the Red Wings' goalie of the future? That's the rumor that has been swirling around Buffalo since the Sabres have watched their best players leave through free agency or trades since winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2006-07. Miller, who grew up in East Lansing, will become an unrestricted free agent in July 2009."

"With the trading deadline over, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland will focus on getting two players signed before the end of the season. The top priority is Dan Cleary, who is out for another month or so with a broken jaw."

"The Red Wings are hoping to pick up a goal-scoring forward, and Atlanta's Marian Hossa and Tampa Bay's Vaclav Prospal are two top players expected to be moved today. The asking price will be steep, however. In a lesser deal, Detroit might pursue former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov if Columbus opts to move him... Brad Stuart of Los Angeles, Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay and Hal Gill of Toronto are some of the players rumored to be on the move who might interest the Red Wings."

"The Wings, in the midst of a 1-7-1 slump, need some scoring punch. They are reportedly interested in former Wing Sergei Fedorov, now with Columbus. Among other possibilities are Marian Hossa (Atlanta), Mike Comrie (N.Y. Islanders) and Ladislav Nagy (Los Angeles)."

"But will general manager Ken Holland go after the likes of Atlanta's Marian Hossa, or maybe someone whose team's asking price might be a little more realistic? Maybe former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov? Or Vinny Prospal (Tampa Bay) or Bobby Holik (Atlanta)? "

"Marian Hossa and Olli Jokinen are among the biggest names involved in rumors. Both are eligible to become unrestricted free agents this summer, and their status as "rentals" will temper the offers made by teams such as the Wings, who, despite being on a 1-7-1 skid, are still atop the standings."

"The Red Wings need a forward who can boost their attack. Theyre not going to find that player from within. And with far more buyers than sellers at this years trade deadline, theyre probably going to have to pay a high cost in players, prospects or draft picks for a top player like Hossa, Torontos Mats Sundin -- if he agrees to waive his no-trade clause -- or Tampa Bays Vaclav Prospal."

"General manager Ken Holland said he has offered Darren McCarty a one-year, prorated contract for the rest of the season."

"While the Ducks and Wings are waiting to see if Mats Sundin will agree to be dealt, sources say Anaheim GM Brian Burke has made a pitch to the Florida Panthers for Olli Jokinen and has also likely spoken with the Tampa Bay Lightning about Vaclav Prospal... The Calgary Flames are interested in Sundin, but don't want to pay the outrageous asking price ."

"Lapointe is believed to be coveted by two teams (Ottawa and Detroit) needing more of a physical presence... According to reports, Columbus is very interested in Richards, perhaps offering goalie Pascal Leclaire. "

"The Red Wings were inundated with questions Friday: Have they called Mats Sundin? Would they like Sundin? Have they petitioned general manager Ken Holland about Sundin?"

"The Wings will add Darren McCarty at some point over the next few days, preferably by Monday, because then they can then put him on waivers and assign him to Grand Rapids. If McCarty isn't signed before Monday, at most he could be sent to Grand Rapids on a two-week conditioning stint, probably not enough time considering he just started playing again."

"Holland said the Wings will make Darren McCarty a contract offer before Tuesday. Holland hasn't been able to reach McCarty's agent, Pat Morris , because Morris was also the agent for former Windsor Spitfires player Mickey Renaud , 19, who died this week. "

"Holland said the Wings will likely offer former Red Wings forward Darren McCarty a contract before Tuesday's trade deadline. That way, McCarty will be eligible for the playoffs if he's called up."

"The Red Wings are expected to sign Darren McCarty in the next day or two. They likely will keep him in Grand Rapids on a two-week conditioning stint before bringing him up. Babcock made it clear the popular ex-Red Wing must earn his way into the lineup."

"Darren McCarty, one of the most popular players in the recent history of the Detroit Red Wings, is closer to rejoining the team."

"If Lidstrom is out only for the short term, Holland will keep his focus leading up to Tuesday's trade deadline on adding a top-six forward (the Wings are interested in Atlanta's Marian Hossa) and a veteran defenseman."

"Toronto captain Mats Sundin, Atlanta's Marian Hossa and the New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr are among the big-name players who might be moved. Sundin, however, has a no-trade clause in his contract and continues to maintain that he wants to stay put. "

"Heading into Monday night's game at Colorado, the Wings were on a six-game losing skid -- their worst since 1991. Hmmm. 91. Maybe that's an omen about bringing back Sergei Fedorov. But is it pro or con?"

"Cliff Fletcher has been given a mandate to clean up the mess in Toronto but, apparently is looking for a king's ransom if he is going to ask captain Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade clause before next Tuesday's trade deadline... The talk is Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim, Vancouver, Montreal and Dallas have all shown an interest in Sundin."

"The Wings, whose biggest need may be on the blue line, had three scouts in St. Louis for a game between the Blues and the Los Angeles Kings last week. The last-place Kings have three defensemen who will be unrestricted free agents this summer and may be moved: Rob Blake, Brad Stuart and Jaroslav Modry."

"Five places Marian Hossa could end up if he is traded by the Thrashers: 1. Detroit: Waddell is close with Detroit GM Ken Holland and the Red Wings have the depth to pull it off. And the pressure to do so."

"Three Red Wings scouts were in St. Louis to watch the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 12, leading rumor-mongers to heat up the speculation that Detroit GM Ken Holland is really, really interested in L.A. defenseman Brad Stuart."

" I almost made it through a column without mentioning Peter Forsberg. As Foppa continued to assess his ankle issues and ponder whether to return this season, most likely with Philadelphia, Holland admitted that at one point he indicated to Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, that Detroit might be interested."

"The idea of returning to the Red Wings appeals to Sergei Fedorov. In town with the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday, Fedorov skated on his own after the morning skate. He has been out since Jan. 18 because of a concussion. "

"Sergei Fedorov didn't rule out a possible return to the Red Wings when he spoke to reporters Friday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena."

"Even though he didn't play last night in Detroit, Blue Jackets center Sergei Fedorov is once again big news in Hockeytown. There is rampant speculation that Fedorov, who won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in the 1990s and early 2000s, will return to Detroit in a trade deadline deal between the two Central Division clubs."

"'Tis the season for trade speculation, so chew on this: Sergei Fedorov to the Carolina Hurricanes for a first-round draft pick... Yesterday, the Jackets showed up in Joe Louis Arena amid a twittering of speculation that Fedorov will be a Detroit Red Wing by 3 p.m. Feb. 26, the trade deadline. "

"As the NHL trade deadline approaches, speculation is growing Sergei Fedorov might once again become a Red Wing."

"If you’re Mr. GM Kevin Allen of the Red Wings and can only go after one, would you go after Rob Blake or Sergei Fedorov?"

"The NHL set up a media conference call Wednesday afternoon with four general managers — Atlanta's Don Waddell, Anaheim's Brian Burke, Philadelphia's Paul Holmgren and Detroit's Ken Holland — to address the buildup to the general managers' meetings in Florida next week. Waddell answered a range of questions, although most centered on his plans for Marian Hossa. He echoed his stance that the priority is to sign Hossa to a contract extension and that there is no deadline to get a deal done."