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The Latest From Around the League

Michael Farkas | Transactions & Rumors

Feb 2, 12:51 AM | Hype this story!

The trade docket is still fairly clean as we enter the month of February, but it’s as good a time as any for things to pick up in a hurry. Minor trades and contract extensions are trickling in and there’s plenty more on the horizon.

Let’s first take a look back at what happened recently.

Teemu Selanne returned to the Ducks. He signed a contract of one year for $1.5 million in base salary and $1.35 million in achievable incentives ($2.85 million total). Selanne’s bonus kicks in if he plays 10 games this season.

Tough guys Raitis Ivanans, Jordin Tootoo and Donald Brashear were issued new contracts with their respective clubs. Meanwhile, fellow glove-dropper Jody Shelley was dealt from Columbus to San Jose for 2009 sixth round draft choice.

Kris Beech was waived for about the sixtieth time this season, each time he plays for a new team, this week’s winner: the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pens swapped minor leaguers with the Canes (Joe Jensen to Carolina for Daniel Gove). While Dick Tarnstrom was dealt from Edmonton in exchange for Curtis Glencross in Columbus.

It appears, but not yet confirmed, that Matt Hussey (Colorado), Maxim Kondratiev (Anaheim) and Tony Salmelainen (Toronto) have all their contracts terminated after leaving for Europe. That or they have been formally loaned/suspended from their NHL club.

On to the rumors…

In case you were born yesterday, Peter Forsberg is coming back to the NHL but isn’t sure to which team. The deadline has passed for Forsberg to sign in the Swedish Elite League. I could list almost all 30 teams as interested in the oft-injured center, however, it seems Philadelphia, Colorado, Detroit, Vancouver, Calgary, Anaheim, Nashville, Ottawa and the Rangers are the teams that are pressing the hardest.

Analysis: Forsberg’s great and all, but you have to be careful. There isn’t a bigger gamble out there right now. Forsberg is looking for a Cup, I’m not sure if that’s a reasonable possibility in Philadelphia, Colorado, Nashville or New York.

Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin met with interim GM Cliff Fletcher, however, nothing new has come to the forefront. Sundin insists on staying and the Leafs insist on not talking too much about it.

Analysis: Maybe some memorable, although hated, GM will have the guts to blow this team up. Sundin deserves the Ray Bourque treatment and in all likelihood, he’d sign right back with the Leafs.

The Calgary Flames, as usual, are looking for a first line center. They have been tied to the aforementioned Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin, as well as Panthers center Olli Jokinen, who is no stranger to trade deadline rumors himself. According to Darren Dreger, the asking price of Jokinen may be Alex Tanguay, a young roster player and a prospect.

Analysis: If Kiprusoff begins to dominate like he does in seemingly every playoff year, the Flames could be a legitimate Cup contender. I think the Flames will be active at the deadline, Tanguay, Huselius, Langkow could be available.

In other Flames news, Dion Phaneuf may be close to signing an extension. It is expected to be in the six-year, $40 million area, but details have not yet been formally announced.

It appears that Martin Havlat and J.P. Dumont are off the market. Dumont has just signed a four-year, $16 million contract from the Preds. Meanwhile, Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon says, “I’m not shopping him at all” referring to Havlat.

The Blue Jackets are looking to retain veteran defenseman Adam Foote. Jackets GM Scott Howson is looking to sign Foote to an extension, however, if one is not reached and the Jackets plummet in the standings, look for Foote to be moved despite his no trade clause.

Analysis: If Adam Foote likes it in Columbus, this could be a Doug Weight/Mark Recchi situation. The Jackets may well trade Foote at the deadline and have him sign back with Columbus July 1st.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson continues his open door policy, of sorts, regarding his players. Wilson says that he would “listen to any call” regarding struggling captain Patrick Marleau.

Analysis: A new two-year deal for Marleau that includes a no-trade clause might not be an easy sale. However, Marleau, in my mind at least, is a proven commodity and would garner a ton if he were to be moved. I think the odds of Marleau being moved are slim.

Stay tuned to Faceoff Factor as trade rumors continue to pour in at a fevered pace.