Rumor Mill - NHL - CBSSports.com

Rumor Mill

CBSSports.com staff

CBSSports.com narrows in on the recent rumors and gossip surrounding players, coaches and teams.

Team by Team
Calgary Flames	Updated:04/26/2008
GM Darryl Sutter confirmed he plans on bringing back coach Mike Keenan next season. "He's an elite coach and there's only a handful of them," Sutter told the Canadian Press. "He's our coach absolutely." ... Kristian Huselius, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer, may not return to Calgary next season. Huselius found his playing time diminish late in the season, which frustrated the winger. "I'm looking for a team that I fit in, as the player I am, the role I want to play and stuff like that," Huselius told the Calgary Sun. ... Craig Controy, who is also an unrestricted free agent, told the Sun he wants to stay with the Flames. ... Daymond Langkow won't discuss his contract situation, but it is believed he has signed an extension, says the Sun.
Carolina Hurricanes	Updated:04/25/2008
GM Jim Rutherford told the Raleigh News & Observer he has not yet decided on the future of coach Peter Laviolette.
Columbus Blue Jackets	Updated:04/30/2008
The Blue Jackets are expected to re-sign free agents Marc Methot, Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson, says the Columbus Dispatch.
Dallas Stars	Updated:04/30/2008
The Stars have been courting Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom, who attended Tuesday's game between Dallas and San Jose, says TSN. Brunnstrom, who is on the radar of numerous teams, is on a mini tour of North American cities to determine who he wants to sign with. The forward will also visit Denver, Montreal and Detroit.
Florida Panthers	Updated:04/25/2008
Former coach Doug MacLean told the Palm Beach Post he would like to return to coaching and plans to contact GM Jacques Martin about Florida's coaching vacancy.
Ottawa Senators	Updated:04/30/2008
The Senators may have difficulty trading Ray Emery, but Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and St. Louis -- teams looking for an upgrade in net -- may look to acquire the goaltender, says the Edmonton Journal. ... The Ottawa Citizen lists Pat Burns, Bob Hartley, Terry Murray and Pat Quinn as possible candidates for Ottawa's coaching vacancy. GM Bryan Murray also plans to speak with Peter DeBoer, who coaches Kitchener of the OHL. Murray would also be interested in Tampa Bay's John Tortorella if the Lightning part ways with their coach.
Tampa Bay Lightning	Updated:04/30/2008
According to the Ottawa Citizen, Coach John Tortorella suggested during an end-of-season meeting with GM Jay Feater it might be time for him to move on. A week later, however, Tortorella said he changed his mind and wanted to be part of re-building the franchise. However, the Tampa Tribune reported a rumor out of Canada suggesting Tortorella would be fired once new owner Oren Koules officially takes control of the franchise. His replacement? Former Kings coach Barry Melrose.
Toronto Maple Leafs	Updated:04/25/2008
According to the Toronto Sun, the Maple Leafs should know sometime in June whether Mats Sundin will return to the team next season. Sundin becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. ... President Richard Peddie is examining his options for bringing in a new GM, says the Sun. The Maple Leafs may wait until the playoffs are over to target GMs tied to teams still competing for the Stanley Cup, such as Detroit's Ken Holland or San Jose's Doug Wilson; look into hiring former GMs not under contract, such as Doug Armstrong; or retain interim GM Cliff Fletcher.
Vancouver Canucks	Updated:04/25/2008
GM Mike Gillis is in the process of re-evaluating the Canucks, leaving coach Alain Vigneault's future with the team in doubt, says the Vancouver Sun. ... Markus Naslund, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer, may not return to Vancouver if Vigneault remains behind the bench, the Vancouver Province reports.
Washington Capitals	Updated:04/25/2008
Could Olaf Kolzig's days in Washington be officially over? According to the Washington Post, the goaltender was a no-show for a season-ending team meeting. After the team's loss to Philadelphia in Game 7 of the conference quarterfinals, he cleaned out his locker and stripped the name tag off his stall. ... The Washington Times reports one of the Capitals' top priorities this offseason is re-signing netminder Cristobal Huet.