Hockey rumors and rumblings.

Former Golden Gopher and Boston Bruin RFA has been the subject of many rumors this past summer. So Bruins fans have to wonder where Phil "the Thrill" Kessel is going to end up. There has been a stand still in the negoiations and the Boston Bruins are going to have to move someone to make room for him under the cap. From this article it doesn't appear to be Edmonton isn't in the running. Any team that makes Kessel an offer sheet is going to have to give up a lot if the Bruins don't match that said offer sheet.

While Comrie's out of the picture, it appears the Oilers aren't going to make a pitch to deal for Group 2 free agent Phil Kessel. The Boston Bruins forward, who had 36 goals last year, is being shopped because Boston is already well over the$56.8-million cap ceiling. [Edmonton Journal]

Here is some more from the self professed Phil Kessel Hater KPD.

Headed into the weekend, it was same ol’, same ol’ on the Phil Kessel watch. No reason to expect him on Causeway Street when the Bruins open training camp Sept. 12. A Group 2 free agent, he remains without a contract. A source familiar with the sporadic talks throughout the summer confirmed that the Bruins front office has made multiple offers, with varying length of term, but nothing has convinced the speedy 21-year-old winger to sign on the dotted line. Kessel told this space two weeks ago that he will have a new deal prior to the season - be it here or elsewhere - and he also felt that David Krejci’s new three-year pact (average $3.75 million) didn’t factor into where he set his value. Meanwhile, a New York Post story had the Rangers possibly ready to pony up for Kessel, who must sign prior to Dec. 1 or will be unable to play in the NHL in 2009-10. [Boston Globe]

Speaking of Mike Comrie, there have been a lot of rumors bouncing around that the Wild were interested in signing the former Michigan Wolverine and Senator to a contract. According to Wild beat writer Mike Russo that isn't true.

Contrary to the rumor mongers out there, the Wild has zero interest in Mike Comrie. [Russo's Rants]

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford is a restricted free agent and still unsigned and doesn't have a contract for the up coming season.

But GM Darcy Regier still has one more noteworthy task at hand, and that is to reach a deal with restricted free agent, Drew Stafford.

Earlier this summer, Regier extended qualifying offers to three of the Sabres' five restricted free agents, Pat Kaleta, Andrej Sekera and Stafford.

Kaleta signed a one-year deal, while Sekera was inked for two years at a little over $1 million per year. Clarke MacArthur, another restricted free agent, signed a deal similar to Sekera's.

Both parties (Stafford and the Sabres) are likely working feverishly behind closed doors to get a deal done. But when talks extend all the way until mid-August, there becomes a growing concern that both sides may be far apart. [Bleacher Report]

Here is another blurb about Drew Stafford's contract negoiations. Sounds a lot like the Kessel situation in Boston, young players with pretty good numbers, the negoiations are at a stand still.

Then there's Drew Stafford, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Stafford, 23, scored 20 goals last season. He's big (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), skilled and plays with an edge. He is a big part of the team's future. But two weeks before camp, he's still looking for a contract.

Maybe Stafford's agent is shooting for the moon, knowing the Sabres need to sign someone of consequence. But if they believe in Stafford, why play hardball? If their plan is to develop stars from within, they should sign Stafford and show the fans how much they believe in him.

Of course, you have to wonder if Stafford is truly worth the money. There is no lack of pro athletes in this town, on both the Sabres and Bills, who are being paid like stars but fall short of the designation. [Buffalo News]

Chris from Western College Hockey profiled two Sioux recruits Mike Cichy and Danny Kristo. I am excited to see both players in a Fighting Sioux uniform this fall.