Eagle rips goalie rules, two Leafs head to Europe August 24 @ 9:00 PM The Eagle is still steaming over the new rule changes to goalies handling the puck, writes the Toronto Sun. "I think at this level (the rule) is a bit of a joke," a candid Belfour told the Sun. "Maybe some forwards should play with their opposite hand. Or, better yet, play with their sticks upside down. That's what I equate it to," he said. "I'm sure the general managers who don't have a puck-handling goaltender were the ones who voted for this rule." In other Leafs news, two Leafs on the bubble have packed their bags, deciding rather to play in Europe. According to the Toronto Star, defenceman Pierre Hedin and forward Harold druken have both signed deals to play in Europe, rather then face the uncertainty of playing on a twoway contract for Toronto. Discuss it here Elias re-signs with Devils August 24 @ 9:00 PM According to the New York Post, the New Jersey Devils have re-signed forward Patrick Elias to a $4.18 million, one-year deal. The signing will put New Jersey over the cap but the Devils may still circumvent the problem as Elias will start the season on the DL while still recovering from hepatitis. The Devils' payroll now stands at some $44.3M - more than $5M above the $39M cap. Discuss it here Stevens not sure about return August 21 @ 9:05 PM When the NHL returns to the ice in October, it might be without one of the game's hardest hitters. New Jersey defenceman Scott Stevens told the Newark Star-Ledger he is unsure whether or not he will play in 2005/06, although he has been cleared medically. Stevens has suffered with post-concussion syndrome since being struck in the ear with a puck during the 2003/04 season. Discuss it here Chistov chooses home over Ducks August 21 @ 9:05 PM Despite a handful of impact free-agent signings, Anaheim forward Stanislav Chistov has decided to hone his skills at home in Russia, with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League. According to sources, the deal is for one-year. Chistov has struggled with expectations since joining the NHL, but plans to return in the future. Discuss it here Redden on the way out? August 17 @ 9:05 AM Is Ottawa on the verge of trading one their top blueliners? According to the Ottawa Citizen, Wade Redden's name is being bandied about hockey circles, with Florida, Detroit and Los Angeles being the teams showing the ost interest. If Redden, Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa all decide to test the free agent market next season, Senators GM John Muckler has already stated that he would be unable to keep all three, so trading one may be an answer to that dilemma. Discuss it here Cherry not a union man August 17 @ 9:05 AM If the lockout stretches into the hockey season, the ever boisterous Don Cherry may still be ranting on the airwaves. According to the Toronto Star, Cherry isn't a huge supporter of the Canadian Media Guild, citing their lack of support when he was having labour problems with the CBC. "It's a funny thing that I didn't even know I was in the union until you told me," he told the Star. "That's how many times they've been in contact with me. "All the times that I've been hanging by a thread, 99 per cent being fired, I never once had a call from the union saying, `We support you, Don.' And now that they're in trouble, I'm supposed to say I support them." Discuss it here Heatley makes a change August 11 @ 10:31 PM Sportsnet has learned Atlanta Thrashers' star forward Dany Heatley has hired a new agent. Heatley retained IMG and its' director of Hockey, J.P. Barry as his representation. Barry replaces Don Baizley who had been spearheading contract negotiations with Thrashers' general manager Don Waddell. Heatley's original agent, Stacey McAlpine will remain on to assist in the negotiations. Discuss it here B's taking care of business August 10 @ 12:53 PM The Boston Bruins are now focused on resigning their own free agents, a list which includes captain Joe Thornton, forward Sergei Samsonov, defenceman Nick Boynton and goalie Andrew Raycroft. A source told the Boston Herald the Bruins have offered Thornton a five-year deal worth $6.5 million a season. Meanwhile, Samsonov's agent Neil Abbott told the Herald that his client would sign a one-year qualifying offer worth $2.774 million which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Boynton has a one-year, $1.333 million qualifying offer on the table and may be headed for arbitration. Raycroft doesn't yet qualify for arbitation which means the Bruins can take a little more time in getting a deal done with the netminder. Discuss it here