NHL Rumour Tidbits, July 24: Tlusty, Ehrhoff, Alfie, Lamoriello bringing over Conte?

While the media was zoned in on Lou Lamoriello becoming the new GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday, a few arbitration hearings quietly took place: the Capitals' Braden Holtby and Alex Chiasson of the Senators. The Capitals and Holtby found common ground this afternoon, agreeing to a 5 year, $30.5 million extension. Meanwhile, Chiasson and the Sens continue to negotiate ahead of the arbitrator's ruling tomorrow. There remains cautious optimism that a deal will get done.

QUICK HITS

• In other Sens news, it's believed the Ottawa Senators will soon talk to former captain Daniel Alfredsson about a position in the Sens front office.
• The Canadiens get their winger in Alex Semin for one year at a bargain-bin $1.1 million. It was rumoured that the Canadiens kicked tires on UFA winger Jiri Tlusty before making the decision.
• Jiri Tlusty's camp has also had discussions with the Panthers, Leafs, Hurricanes and Jets in recent weeks. Returning to the Hurricanes - a team with which he had tremendous success - is his stated preference, but we'll see if another team swoops in with a better offer.
• The Christian Ehrhoff sweepstakes drag on. The Blue Jackets are still a frontrunner but Ehrhoff's agent has told media that the Hurricanes and several other NHL teams have expressed significant interest.
• Some have speculated that Lou Lamoriello may wish to bring over ex-Devils head scout Dave Conte, who from 1993 to this past season was his right hand man. Whether he gets his way on this will be a strong indicator of his level of autonomy, since Leafs front office and scouting departments are already fairly populated by Shanahan hires.

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