2009-2010 NHL Season

[Goodfellas]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Professional hockey will live on in the desert, at least for a while.

Billionaire Jim Balsillie failed in his bid to have a bankruptcy court judge order the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) sold to him and, over the NHL's objection, moved to Hamilton, Ontario. His downfall was his self-imposed June 29 deadline for completing the deal.

Redfield T. Baum, chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix, concluded in a 21-page ruling Monday there was no way to resolved the case by then.

"Simply put, the court does not think there is sufficient time (14 days) for all of these issues to be fairly presented to the court given that deadline," the judge wrote.

The only one who didn't see it as a defeat for Balsillie and a victory for the NHL was Balsillie himself.

"We're still here," Balsillie spokesman Bill Walker said, contending there was still an opportunity for the NHL and Balsillie to reach an agreement on moving the franchise to Canada.

At a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday, Balsillie's intentions remained unchanged.

"He's committed to Hamilton, he's committed to Copps Coliseum," Walker said. "He just sees this as another day at work, another day at the office."

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- Peter Chiarelli inherited a Bruins team that had the NHL's fifth worst record and needed only three seasons to build a club that finished second best.

Now he has five more years to try to put together a Stanley Cup champion.

Boston's general manager received a four-year extension on top of the one season remaining on his original four-year deal after what he and the team said were smooth negotiations.

"For them to have said to me at one point in the year, 'We're going to extend you,' that was all I needed to know," Chiarelli said Tuesday, one day after the Bruins announced the agreement. "I'm very happy to be here and want to be here for a long time."

Boston didn't improve much in his first season, finishing with two more points in 2006-07 than it did the previous season under general manager Mike O'Connell. The Bruins improved by 18 points the next season and earned the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

They went up another 22 points this past season to finish with 116, one fewer than the Presidents' Trophy-winning San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks).

[Goodfellas]

When Marian Hossa came to Detroit, he had Monday playing out a little different. Hossa turned down more lucrative, multiyear contracts -- including with Pittsburgh -- to sign a one-year deal with Detroit. Hossa, a free agent to be, made it clear Monday he would not sign another one-year contract like the $7.45 million deal he signed last offseason. He's looking to cash in on a long-term deal and wants the security that goes with that type of deal. Whether that's with Detroit -- or another team -- is yet to be determined.
Detroit News (http://www.detnews.com/article/20090616/SPORTS0103/906160338/1128/Wings--Hossa-wants-to-have-a-long-term-deal)

[Goodfellas]

v0EVoIQR9LY

[Goodfellas]

fAYTzAT2vPU

[Goodfellas]

E807sLY4g7s

[Goodfellas]

F1B9m9mnYzw

[Goodfellas]

9qNnUM28vYI

[Goodfellas]

AMrsE2xu0z4

[Goodfellas]

7IXMoRnMmf8

[Goodfellas]

rNAh5MsIbwo

[Goodfellas]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Left wing Quintin Laing (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3197) has re-signed with the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals).

Laing signed a one-year contract after playing in only one game with Washington last season. He tore his spleen in his only appearance after being recalled from the AHL's Hershey Bears.

After being sidelined for more than two months, Laing returned to the Bears and helped them win the AHL's Calder Cup.

Laing has one goal and six assists in 43 career NHL games.

[Goodfellas]

Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke fired a verbal salvo at Ottawa Senators star Dany Heatley. Burke said on the NHL Live! broadcast that he has no interest in acquiring the all-star forward, mainly because Heatley publicly asked to be traded. "When you have players come ask you for a trade, I tell the players: 'Don't finish that sentence,' because once you ask, I'm going to move you," Burke said. "If a player wants out, you're darn right I'm going to move you. I'm not kissing anyone's ass to play in my town, so to hell with you, don't finish the sentence. My second rule is if I hear about this, you're not going anywhere."
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/06/18/9834676-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

Adam Deadmarsh could soon be coming back to the Avalanche. His playing days are over, but Deadmarsh has interviewed for a management position with the Avs organization, the team confirmed Wednesday. Avs vice president Jean Martineau said that while Deadmarsh is not up for the team's vacant second assistant coaching position, he has interviewed for another management job and is being strongly considered.
Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_12615639)

[Goodfellas]

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- He is Alex The Great -- again.

Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) star forward Alex Ovechkin pulled off the kind of repeat the Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) dreamed about by snagging the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP for the second straight year Thursday night.

Ovechkin also walked off with the NHL Players' Association's Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the most outstanding player in voting by fellow players.

"What a life," Ovechkin said after winning the Pearson for his first jackpot at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

It made no difference that the awards ceremony was moved to Sin City from Toronto to make it a more glitzy spectacle. Ovechkin, the leading goal scorer each of the past two seasons, stood out above the rest.

Ovechkin led the league with 56 goals and was second with 110 points. Voters for the Hart Trophy overwhelmingly picked Ovechkin over Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3638) and Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2680), awarding him 115 of 131 first-place votes to make him the first back-to-back Hart winner since Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/260) in 1997 and '98.

"It's important for me. What I'm doing on the ice, it's working and I don't want to stop," Ovechkin said. "Right now, I'm the best, but next year everyone will be better."

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) coach Dan Bylsma was thrilled to get a call from President Barack Obama congratulating him on his team's Stanley Cup championship.

But the coach says he was a bit worried when he got the call Thursday on his cell phone while in Las Vegas. He told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his charger wasn't working and his phone's battery was almost out of power. But it lasted long enough for the brief phone call.

He says he was excited when the president told him that he'd like to have the team visit the White House in the fall.

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur has been given a one-year suspended sentence, fined $100 and ordered to donate $10,000 to charity for giving contradictory testimony during his son's 2007 bail hearing.

Quebec Court Judge Claude Parent sentenced Lafleur on Thursday in Montreal.

The prosecution had suggested a conditional sentence to be served in the community while his lawyers had asked for a fine.

Lafleur is appealing the guilty verdict handed down on May 1. He has also filed a $3.5-million civil lawsuit against the Montreal police and the Crown over the warrant used to arrest him.

The 57-year-old Lafleur won five Stanley Cups in 14 seasons in Montreal.

[Goodfellas]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Blackhawks assistant general manager Rick Dudley has resigned after three years in that position.

Dudley spent four years in Chicago's hockey operation department, the last three as assistant GM.

"Rick has informed me that he has resigned from his position with the Blackhawks to pursue other opportunities," general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement released Thurs

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) signed offensive-minded defenseman Alex Goligoski (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4287) to a three-year, $5.5 million contract.

Goligoski split time last season between the team's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre and the NHL, where he had six goals and 14 assists in 45 regular season games. He didn't appear in the Stanley Cup finals for Pittsburgh.

Goligoski is expected to remain with the NHL team next season.
The Penguins have three defensemen who will become unrestricted free agents if they are not signed by July 1: Rob Scuderi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2837), Hal Gill (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1661) and Philippe Boucher (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/721).

[Goodfellas]

A golf-resort developer put nearly two dozen NHL stars on ice -- taking millions they had invested with him and blowing it on parties packed with porn stars, hookers and his baseball buddies, including ex-Yankees Roger Clemens and Reggie Jackson, according to two explosive lawsuits filed yesterday. The 19 former and current stick-handlers -- including an all-star roster of Rangers and Islanders -- are demanding that Las Vegas-based golf-course mogul Ken Jowdy return the $25 million they invested, plus fork over $15 million in damages for failing to build two luxury resorts in Mexico that are seven years behind schedule.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192009/news/nationalnews/lap_shot_at_puck_suckers_175064.htm)

[Goodfellas]

Islanders GM Garth Snow said yesterday that he has made his decision and knows who it's going to be. "I made up my mind a while ago," Snow said yesterday at the Coliseum. "This is a big moment. We'll get a special player." The consensus is that the Isles will pick the center John Tavares, but the defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Matt Duchene clearly remain possibilities. And Snow reiterated yesterday that he does not "envision" trading the pick.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192009/sports/islanders/snow_has_made_up_mind_on_top_pick_175009.htm)

[Goodfellas]

Add another name to the list of possible candidates to succeed Brent Sutter as Devils coach: former Flyer captain, Whaler and Hurricane Kevin Dineen. Dineen has coached the AHL's Portland Pirates since the 2005-06 season, and joins Jacques Lemaire, John MacLean, Peter Laviolette, Guy Carbonneau, Bob Hartley, Mike Haviland and Kirk Muller among potential candidates. Though a decision is expected shortly, Lemaire told The Post that he still hasn't made up his mind as to what he'll do, making clear however, that returning to coach the Devils intrigues him. He refused to declare whether he has been offered the job, or even interviewed for it. It is believed, however, that Lemaire has made initial exploratory inquiries about the team next season.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192009/sports/devils/dineen_may_be_a_devils_target_175010.htm)

[Goodfellas]

With free agency set to begin in two weeks, Sergei Fedorov's future with the Washington Capitals remains unsettled. Fedorov, who was in Las Vegas to present the Hart Trophy at the NHL Awards Show, reiterated his desire to return for another season in Washington but acknowledged that he doesn't know where he will end up. The 39-year-old center declined to go into details about his negotiations with the Capitals, but did say that his recent trip to Russia was not made with the intention of trying to secure a deal with a team in the Kontinental Hockey League as previously believed.
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061803499.html)

[Goodfellas]

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Keith Tkachuk (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/558), the savvy forward who helped lead the St. Louis Blues to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, will be back for another year.

"Keith is a veteran leader who played a key role with our club's success this past season," Blues president John Davidson said Friday. Terms were not disclosed.

Tkachuk, 37, is a five-time All-Star who has spent eight of his 17 NHL seasons with the Blues, though he was traded to Atlanta for 18 games at the end of the 2006-07 season before re-signing with St. Louis.

In 2008-09, he had 25 goals, 24 assists and 61 penalty minutes. He has 525 goals and 508 assists for his career, along with 2,163 penalty minutes.

Tkachuk has scored 20 goals or more in 15 of his 17 seasons. Last season, the Melrose, Mass., native became just the seventh U.S.-born player to reach 1,000 career points, and just the fourth player with 1,000 points and 2,000 penalty minutes for his career. He led the NHL with 52 goals in 1996-97, the first American-born player to do so.

Tkachuk ranks high on several lists for the Blues -- eighth in points (395), sixth in goals (195), seventh in game-winning goals (28) and fourth in power play goals (91).

[Goodfellas]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) have traded the rights to center Steven Reinprecht to Florida for left wing Stefan Meyer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3393).
The Coyotes are in bankruptcy proceedings and made the deal because they did not plan to re-sign Reinprecht, a pending unrestricted free agent.

The 33-year-old Reinprecht scored 14 goals with 27 assists in 73 games with the Coyotes last year. He has 120 goals and 214 assists in 552 career NHL games with Los Angeles, Colorado, Calgary and Phoenix.

The 23-year-old Meyer appeared in four games for the Panthers in 2007-08.

The Coyotes also re-signed left wing Petr Prucha (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3756) to a two-year contract.
Terms were not disclosed.
The 26-year-old Prucha scored six goals and had 13 assists in 47 games with the Coyotes and New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) last season. He joined Phoenix on March 4 in the deal that sent defenseman Derek Morris (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1645) to the Rangers.

[Goodfellas]

Sun sources have confirmed the NHL and Calgary Flames have put the wheels in motion to host a New Year's Day Winter Classic game at McMahon Stadium this coming season. National Hockey League officials have visited the home of the Stampeders in anticipation of holding a game there, but have not yet put a contract in place with the McMahon Stadium Society to hold an outdoor game Jan. 1, 2010. McMahon holds more than 35,600 fans for football games, but with the Grey Cup game scheduled for Nov. 29, extra bleachers will have seating for more than 45,000.
Calgary Sun (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Calgary/2009/06/19/9852001-sun.html)

[G-Roy]

rNAh5MsIbwo

thats what its all about. I wish the nhl awards voting wasnt before the playoffs, I think the outcome may have been a littl edifferent.

[Goodfellas]

STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Veteran Swedish defenseman Kenny Jonsson, a two-time Olympic champion and former NHL player, is retiring from hockey after 19 seasons.

"I made the decision when I felt that I didn't have the motivation to start dryland training [this offseason]," Jonsson said.

The 34-year-old Jonsson, who was captain of the Swedish team that finished third at the world championship in May, spent the last four seasons with Swedish club Rogle, where he started his career.
Jonsson played in 705 NHL games, compiling 64 goals and 207 assists in 10 seasons, mostly with the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders).

[Goodfellas]

The Rangers could be presented with the chance to acquire Dany Heatley this week. We're told that though the team is not on the winger's list of preferred options, he likely would not block a trade to New York. If GM Glen Sather could make the deal without yielding Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Michael Del Zotto or Evgeny Grachev, it's a no-brainer.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06212009/sports/moresports/blueshirts_have_a_shot_at_senators_snipe_175380.ht m)

[Goodfellas]

Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios is slated to meet with general manager Ken Holland in the next few days to talk about his future. Chelios, the league's oldest active player at 47, didn't talk to reporters after the annual team photo last week. He had declined to talk about his future during the playoffs, but made it known he wanted to continue to play. Holland said he had a good talk with Chelios when they were on the same flight to Las Vegas last week to attend the NHL awards. Although it's unclear where Chelios will play, he will have a role with the U.S. program for the 2010 Olympic team. Chelios told ESPN.com on Saturday that USA GM Brian Burke has asked him to join the club in an off-ice role.
Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20090622/SPORTS05/906220368/1053/Talks%20slated%20soon%20regarding%20Chelios%20%20f uture%20with%20team)

[Goodfellas]

Sources say former Devils coach Brent Sutter is close to becoming Flames coach under brother and Calgary GM Darryl Sutter. Those sources say Sutter is under serious consideration by Flames ownership for the job that became vacant when Mike Keenan was fired May 22. Sutter resigned June 9 as Devils coach, citing a desire to be closer to his family and Red Deer Rebels junior team. At the time of his resignation, Sutter claimed his only contact with Darryl Sutter had been on a family-ranch matter. He said he had not considered the Flames' job, but would give it due consideration if it was presented.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06212009/sports/devils/sutter_close_to_flame_job_175303.htm)

[Goodfellas]

There was more discussion about the NHL's drug testing policy Saturday, the second day of meetings by the league's players association, but there were no developments. Parties from both sides continued to insist there isn't a problem with performance-enhancing drugs in hockey, and they said they remain open to stricter standards in the policy, but just how far the players association is willing to go remains in question. The NHL's policy includes random testing during the season. Teams can be tested one, two or three times. Kelly said during the Stanley Cup Finals that the players would discuss the stricter suggestions and vote on whether they would be willing to accept the tougher standards. There was no vote, but Kelly said he would like to see any alterations to the testing policy negotiated before the end of the collective bargaining agreement, which has two seasons remaining, plus an optional year. Some of the concerns from the players union include how privacy would be affected with offseason testing and the NHL's lack of involvement with the American Hockey League on the issue.
Washington Post (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/21/its-only-talk-as-nhl-studies-its-drug-policy/)

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has promised to make an offer by Friday to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) and keep the team in Arizona.

Reinsdorf's attorney Alan Klein said his client is in the midst of conversations with the city of Glendale on a new lease agreement that would be part of the proposal.

Klein made the comment from Chicago via conference call Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix, where Judge Redfield T. Baum adopted a sale schedule that gives the NHL the first shot at finding a buyer who will keep the team in Arizona.

The judge set Friday as a deadline for potential buyers who would keep the team in Arizona to submit purchase applications to the NHL.

If a suitable buyer for Arizona isn't found by the Aug. 5 sale date, Baum established a backup schedule for anyone who would want to move the team. That would allow Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to renew his $212.5 million bid to buy the franchise and move it to Hamilton, Ontario.

Baum turned down an attempt by Balsillie and Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes to have the Canadian bid considered at the same time any offers to keep the team in Arizona are judged.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the judge's decision to open bidding for a local owner first "gives the Coyotes a real shot to remain in the Phoenix-Glendale area."

However, Balsillie's representative Richard Rodier refused to consider Baum's decision a setback, saying it doesn't matter that the team will be offered to local ownership first.

"It's the way it should be anyway," Rodier said outside the courthouse after the three-hour hearing. "A city shouldn't lose its franchise unless there's a good reason, so let them take a shot. If Mr. Reinsdorf has an offer that makes sense to the city of Glendale and makes it work long-term, tremendous. More power to them."

But Rodier said he'd be "very, very surprised if an offer came through that makes sense because I think Mr. Reinsdorf expects massive, massive concessions from the city of Glendale."

Glendale city attorney Craig Tindall said after the hearing that the city has had "some very positive preliminary discussions" with Reinsdorf. Tindall disputed claims the city would be expected to heavily subsidize a new owner.

"That's absolutely incorrect. That's been reported over and over again and that is not the case," Tindall said. "There are some discussions about the use agreement that would be revenue-neutral to the city. We think we can handle the situation without making massive monetary concessions. I think that's a complete misconception and it has been from the very beginning."

Baum emphasized that he was not approving sale of the team to anybody.

"All the court has done is set a schedule," the judge said.
The hearing was the first in the Coyotes matter since Baum rejected Balsillie's bid to buy the team, saying the June 29 deadline the Canadian had imposed made it impossible to resolve the complex issues in the case.

Balsillie has amended his bid to set a Sept. 10 deadline, with the intention still to play next season in Hamilton.

Baum accelerated schedule for resolving the case, setting the Aug. 5 deadline for finding an acceptable buyer who would keep the team in Arizona. If that fails, the judge set a "fallback" deadline of Sept. 10 to sell to someone who might relocate the franchise.

Moyes surprised the NHL by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 5 with a plan to sell the team to Balsillie, contingent on moving the franchise to Hamilton. Moyes says he has lost over $300 million on the team and would recoup about $100 million in the sale to Balsillie.

The NHL might dispute whether Moyes' lost money is equity, not debt. That could mean Moyes would get far less money, if any, under the Reinsdorf proposal.

"Obviously Mr. Moyes put a lot of money into this club over a number of years," Daly said, "and how that should be characterized legally as to whether it's debt, whether it's equity, or maybe it's some hybrid situation. Maybe he is a creditor but he's a subordinated creditor. The thing about bankruptcy is you try to generate the best bid available to generate cash for creditors but not all creditors end up getting paid all the time."

Baum had stern words for the NHL after its attorneys indicated it would be difficult to come up with a decision on Balsillie's bid to move the team by the Sept. 2 deadline the judge set.

The judge said the league's board of governors would "either have to reach a decision or have a very good explanation of why they've been unable to."

After the hearing, Daly said Balsillie -- who failed in bids to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) and Nashville Predators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/predators) -- has not endeared himself to NHL owners with his behavior in the Coyotes case.
"I'm not going to presume what the board might do because it's totally within their power," Daly said. "But certainly I think the board has legitimate questions as to" Balsillie as an owner.

[Goodfellas]

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/thrashers) have named former Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) executive Rick Dudley as associate general manager.
Thrashers executive vice president and general manager Don Waddell says the 60-year-old Dudley will oversee scouting and player development for the NHL team.

Dudley was assistant general manager of the Blackhawks for the last two seasons. He joined the Blackhawks in 2004 as a consultant and was named director of player personnel in 2005.

Earlier, Dudley was general manager of the Florida Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/panthers) for two seasons, spent 21/2 seasons as senior vice president and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning) and was general manager of the Ottawa Senators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/senators) for one year.

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) are negotiating with Jaroslav Spacek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1783) in an attempt to re-sign the veteran defenseman before he's eligible to become a free agent next week.

General manager Darcy Regier said he's made Spacek an offer and plans to have further discussions with the player's agent, Stephen Freyer, before the start of free agency on July 1.

Freyer said his client is interested in staying in Buffalo, but said it's too early to predict what will happen. Spacek led Sabres defensemen with eight goals and 45 points last season, his third with the team.

Regier said the Sabres have made a qualifying offer to Marek Zagrapan (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3790) to retain the NHL rights to the prospect forward who has signed a contract to play in Russia next season.

[Goodfellas]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Lou Lamoriello says he won't accelerate his search for a New Jersey Devils (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/devils) head coach just to have one hired before this weekend's NHL draft.

"There is no sense of urgency," said Lamoriello, the team's president and general manager, in a Monday telephone call with The Associated Press. "We would like to get it done as quickly as possible, but you go through a process."

Brent Sutter resigned as the Devils' coach two weeks ago, citing a desire to spend more time at home in western Canada after a two-year stint in New Jersey. There have been reports that Sutter will become the Calgary Flames (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flames) coach.

Lamoriello declined to say whether the Devils have given the Flames permission to talk to Sutter, who had a year left on his Devils' contract, about the job.

"I will not have any comment on that situation until there is something definite one way or the other, and don't misread or be misled by that," Lamoriello said. "That is something I have been consistent with."

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/686) said last week that he would not mind seeing former coach Jacques Lemaire return to New Jersey. Lemaire recently resigned as head coach of the Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild).
However, Brodeur said he liked the way the Devils' offense improved under Sutter's system.

The day Sutter resigned, he said that Devils assistant coach John MacLean was ready for a head coaching job.

The Devils won the Atlantic Division this past season but for the second straight year were eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round.

[Goodfellas]

Hilary Rhoda isn't just a football fan -- she's also a hockey fan. Having dated new Jet QB Marc Sanchez (after posing with him in GQ and helping him celebrate his $50 million contract), the curvy brunette looked very cozy with Ranger Sean Avery last night at Brother Jimmy's in Murray Hill. "They were doing shots of Jack Daniels and Patron, and she had her hands on his arm as they canoodled at the corner of the bar," said our spy. "Sanchez was nowhere to be found."
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06232009/gossip/pagesix/sanchezs_girl_hilary_rhoda_seen_canoodli_175590.ht m)

[Goodfellas]

The Penguins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4615)' most prominent unrestricted free agents are forwards Bill Guerin (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4756), Ruslan Fedotenko (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5225), Petr Sykora (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5029), Miroslav Satan (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4774), Mike Zigomanis (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5204) and Craig Adams (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5276), defensemen Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4997) and Philippe Boucher (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4790) and goalie Mathieu Garon (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5137). Although Guerin, Fedotenko, Zigomanis and Scuderi appear to be their primary targets, Ray Shero is believed to have had discussions with Adams' representatives, and possibly those of some others. The Penguins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4615) have about $46 million of salary-cap space tied up for next season, and Scuderi, coming off a sensational playoff performance, is expected to command a salary of at least $2.5 million. Although that makes him a long shot to stay, Shero plans to discuss a new deal with his agent, Steve Bartlett. Most indications are that Scuderi will see what's available on the open market, although it's worth noting that defenseman Brooks Orpik (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5282) did that a year ago before opting to return to the Penguins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4615).
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09174/979261-61.stm)

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- Chris Chelios (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/80) has a plan to talk about his future.
The 47-year-old defenseman says he will host a news conference Wednesday morning at Cheli's Chili Bar and Restaurant in Detroit to answer questions just days after the Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) confirmed he will not be offered a contract to stay.

Chelios has said he wants to play next season.

He played in six of 23 playoff games this year for the runner-up Red Wings, extending his NHL records by appearing in his 24th postseason and 266th playoff game. He played 28 regular-season games.

Chelios is a three-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman and 11-time All-Star. The Chicago native and former Blackhawks player won Stanley Cups with Detroit and Montreal.

[Goodfellas]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Wayne Gretzky would like to see NHL hockey in both Phoenix and Hamilton.

The Coyotes coach is watching Jim Balsillie and the NHL spar over the future of the Arizona franchise and hockey in Southern Ontario.
"It's been tough for everyone," Gretzky said Tuesday at an 2010 Olympic sponsorship event. "It's been tough for fans of the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes), it's been tough for the organization, but on the other side of it, Hamilton is a great city and one day it will probably eventually get an NHL franchise, so it's a tough scenario for both sides. Right now obviously we just are all sitting back and waiting to see what that outcome is and, to this point in time, we really don't know, there is no definite answer.

"The best-case scenario would be eventually that both cities have an NHL team."

While Gretzky has kept a low profile during the bankruptcy process, his name has been raised because of a reported $22.5 million owed him.

As for his future as coach and part-owner, Gretzky said he is not looking too far ahead.

"I haven't really talked to anybody, you know until something happens and something concrete, there is really no need to surmise or wonder what's going to happen. From my point of view, I just want what's best for the organization, what's best for the city of Phoenix and hopefully what's best for Hamilton one day."

Gretzky said he's not finding the wait stressful.

"At this point of time in the year, it's up to the management and the scouts to get ready for the draft and as coaches we just sit back and analyze and start getting ready for next season and right now it's in the hands of the commissioner and his office and the court system and we'll see what happens."

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) coach Mike Babcock will coach the Canadian men's hockey team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, according to a person familiar with the decision.

Babcock will have Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock on his staff, according to the person who spoke Tuesday to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because Team Canada plans to announce its coaching staff on Thursday in Montreal.

Canada won the gold medal in Salt Lake City in 2002, but struggled in Turin four years later.

Babcock's team will likely be led by Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) superstar Sidney Crosby (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3737), who played a part in preventing him from winning consecutive Stanley Cups earlier this month.

Just as he did in professional hockey, Babcock has paid his dues internationally.

Babcock led Team Canada to gold at the 2004 world championships, going 7-1-1 and beating Sweden in the final. He helped the Canadians win gold at the 1997 world junior championships.

He recently completed his sixth season in charge of an NHL team and made his third appearance in the Stanley Cup finals. The Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) lost to the Penguins in Game 7 after hoisting the Cup in Pittsburgh last year. He also led Anaheim within one win of a championship six years ago during his first season as an NHL coach.
Babcock has won more games in the playoffs (58) and regular season (282) than any other NHL coach in his first six seasons.
Scotty Bowman, Glen Sather and Fred Shero and Babcock are the only coaches in the expansion era to coach in three or more Stanley Cup finals in their first six seasons.

Babcock's climb up the coaching ladder included jobs in the American Hockey League, the Western Hockey League and Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

Steve Yzerman, a Red Wings vice president, is Team Canada's executive director. The former Red Wing great played for Canada in the previous two Olympics. Yzerman, who learned Tuesday he will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 9, has said about 40 players will try out for the team during the last week of August in Calgary

[Goodfellas]

The NHL amateur draft begins Friday night, but Bruins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4606) general manager Peter Chiarelli said yesterday he's smelling a lot of trade smoke in Montreal. Whether it turns into fire remains to be seen. With Dany Heatley (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5249) begging out of Ottawa and the B's Phil Kessel (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/7099) a possible salary cap casualty, there certainly are enough things for GMs to be chattering on about. Chiarelli did say he is trying to move up a few slots in the first round where the B's are picking at No. 25. His scouts have zeroed in on a couple of players. But, as of right now at least, it doesn't look like the B's are in the hunt for forwards John Tavares and Matt Duchene or Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman, expected to be the first three players taken.
Boston Herald (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hockey/bruins/view/20090624bruins_talking_it_up_trades_picks_in_air/)

[Goodfellas]

When it comes to Oren Koules and Len Barrie, the Lightning (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4619)'s feuding co-owners, it is status quo -- for now. Koules remains the CEO and governor, Brian Lawton is the general manager and point man in the hockey operations department, and it appears that Barrie, like Koules, must sign off on major transactions, such as trading captain Vinny Lecavalier. But Tuesday's meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman in the NHL's New York offices was about more than short-term stability, it was about long-term viability, which is why Bettman demanded Koules and Barrie work out an ownership structure that eliminates the rancor. One could buy out the other. There could be new investors. They could work out an accommodation between themselves.
St. Petersburg Times (http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/article1012871.ece)

[Goodfellas]

Stanley Cup champions come in all shapes and especially sizes, but it's no mystery which chassis Maple Leafs (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4610) president and general manager Brian Burke prefers. "I don't give a rat's a-- what they do in Pittsburgh or Detroit," Burke said at Mohawk Racetrack where he assisted in the post-position draw for Saturday's North America Cup harness race. "There has been four Cups won since the cap went in and I've got one of them (in Anaheim) and I (had) a fighting team. We are playing that way regardless." As frustrated as Burke was at the Leafs missing the playoffs this season, he was equally bothered by the softness he saw, a situation he intends to rectify beginning with this week's entry draft. "We are going to be a much more hostile group. We will be tougher. I'm not watching this again," Burke said.
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/06/24/9907301-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

pending free agent Marian Gaborik (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5250), who, as the Pioneer Press reported last winter confided to people in Vancouver that he wanted to play there, has purchased a house in West Vancouver, according to JACK-FM radio in Vancouver.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12683280)

[Goodfellas]

What happens in Montreal in the next couple of days could go a long way toward determining how the Blackhawks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4621)' roster will look for the 2009-10 season and beyond. General manager Dale Tallon and his staff are balancing preparing for the NHL entry draft, which begins Friday night, and determining the fate of several key free agents. Tallon said Tuesday prior to leaving for Montreal that he would meet with Allan Walsh, the agent for winger Martin Havlat (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5209), and Jay Grossman, goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4847)'s agent, in the days leading up to the draft. Tallon would likely prefer to sign Havlat to a one-year deal so he has money to spend when Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5638) will all be eligible for new contracts after next season. The Khabibulin situation is a bit different and his return is less likely than Havlat's. The veteran goalie made $6.75 million last season and the Hawks already have Cristobal Huet (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5524) signed for three more seasons.
Chicago Tribune (http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/icing/2009/06/key-time-for-blackhawks.html)

[Goodfellas]

Chuck Fletcher has made it clear he wants to make a deal. Now comes the hard part: Finding the right partner. Fletcher wasn't any closer to pulling off his first deal as the Wild (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4634)'s general manager Wednesday, even though brass from the NHL's 30 teams has descended on Montreal. Fletcher said there are no untouchables on the Wild (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4634) roster, though he acknowledged that's in part a matter of semantics. In other words, he's not out shopping Mikko Koivu (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5420) or Brent Burns (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5697) but won't automatically shoot down an overture. There are, however, a few players it would seem more reasonable to move, most notably goaltender Josh Harding (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5579), a restricted free agent staring at four years as backup to Niklas Backstrom, who just signed a four-year, $24 million contract.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12682454?nclick_check=1)

[Goodfellas]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The future of the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) remains in limbo, but several players believe the bankrupt NHL team will stay in Arizona.

"We're planning to be here for a long time. We want to make this work," forward Peter Mueller (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3989) said at Thursday night's open house that attracted an estimated 3,000 people to Jobing.com Arena. "The fans are clearly behind us and we want to give back the 100 percent they show to us."

"We're happy to be here ... and it's a great place to play," defenseman Keith Yandle (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3885) said. "From a player's standpoint, you just want to play and let the other things take care of themselves. The fans here give us great support and we expect to play here for some time."

A federal bankruptcy court judge in Phoenix has set Friday as a deadline for potential buyers who would keep the Coyotes in Arizona to submit purchase applications to the NHL. Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of NBA's Chicago Bulls and major league baseball's Chicago White Sox, has promised to make an offer.

The NHL claims four parties, including Reinsdorf, have filed preliminary applications to investigate purchasing the Coyotes and keeping the team in Arizona.

[Goodfellas]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former NHL most valuable player Sergei Fedorov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/33) is returning to play in Russia, 19 years after defecting from the Soviet Union.

Fedorov, a winner of three Stanley Cups, has signed a two-year contract with Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Fedorov's agent, Pat Brisson, called the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) on Thursday to inform them of the 39-year-old forward's decision. Fedorov was set to become a free agent next week after helping the Capitals make the playoffs for the past two seasons.

Fedorov spent 13 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) and later played with the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) and Columbus Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets). He was shipped to Washington at the 2008 trade deadline and proved to be a helpful mentor to the Capitals' young Russians, including two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3261).

Fedorov had 11 goals and 22 assists last season and scored the winning goal in the first-round playoff series victory over the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers). He has 483 goals and 696 assists in 1,248 NHL games

[Goodfellas]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) swapped two draft picks to the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders) for four selections in Friday night's NHL draft.

The Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) dealt their only first-round pick, No. 16 overall, along with their third-round pick, No. 77.

The Islanders, who had used the No. 1 overall pick to take John Tavares, sent the No. 26 pick in the first round, No. 37 in the second, No. 62 in the third and No. 92 in the fourth round to Columbus.
Coming off their first trip to the playoffs in the franchise's eighth season, the Blue Jackets were looking to add depth players.

[Goodfellas]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Scott Niedermayer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/607) has told the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) he intends to return next season.

The defenseman, who turns 36 in August, informed general manager Bob Murray of his decision Thursday evening. Murray called Niedermayer "irreplaceable" after the Ducks were eliminated by Detroit in the second round of this season's playoffs.

A Ducks spokesman said the team hopes to sign Niedermayer to a new contract soon

[Goodfellas]

Rumors that won't die: the Wild (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4634) trading with Ottawa for Dany Heatley (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5249) and signing Montreal free agent Saku Koivu (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4901), brother of the Wild (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4634)'s Mikko Koivu (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5420). The Koivu rumor is the most logical.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12692155)

[Goodfellas]

The Leafs received at least one solid offer for veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5055), and according to a source familiar with added offers that Toronto is fielding this evening, the Bruins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4606) could be among the suitors. Kaberle, 31, in April completed his 10th season with the Leafs, after being selected 204th overall in the '96 draft. According to a report late yesterday afternoon on tsn.ca., the Leafs received an offer of a roster player and a draft pick for the Czech-born blueliner. The Bruins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4606) were rumored to be among the bidders for Kaberle's services at the March 4 trade deadline.
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/06/bruins_weighing.html)

[Goodfellas]

Moments after defenseman Scott Niedermayer told the Ducks he will rejoin them next season, General Manager Bob Murray stole the show by trading Chris Pronger to Philadelphia for a much-needed secondary scorer in right wing Joffrey Lupul, youth on defense in 2008 Flyers first-round pick Luca Sbisa, first-round picks this year and next and a third-round pick in 2010 or 2011.
Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-elliott-nhl-draft27-2009jun27,0,7786281.column)

[Goodfellas]

Is Vincent Lecavalier finally going to get to come home? While Lightning GM Brian Lawton told reporters yesterday that he hasn't received any calls about the all-star centre's availability, the chatter has shifted into high gear that the Canadiens are finally going to acquire Lecavalier before July 1. The problem is the Habs don't have much to offer. Sources say they could send G Jaroslav Halak and C Christopher Higgins, who is a pending RFA, to the Bolts as part of a package. Lecavalier is scheduled to make an average of $7.27 million for the next 11 years.
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/06/27/9951831-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The Calgary Flames (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flames) have acquired smooth-skating defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3103) just four days before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Flames sent defenseman Jordan Leopold (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2130) and a third-round pick in Saturday's NHL entry draft to the Florida Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/panthers) to complete the deal.

The trade gives Calgary a window of exclusivity in negotiating a new contract with Bouwmeester and his agent, Bryon Baltimore.

Bouwmeester can become a free agent on Wednesday.
A 6-foot-4, 214-pound native of Edmonton, the 25-year-old Bouwmeester has spent his entire career with Florida, which drafted him third overall in 2002.

Bouwmeester had 15 goals and 27 assists last season.
Leopold also is eligible for free agency next week.

[Goodfellas]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Ten-time All-Star Teemu Selanne (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/500) has decided to play another season with the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks).

Selanne's decision, announced by the Ducks on Saturday, came a day after defenseman Scott Niedermayer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/607), who turns 36 in August, told the team he's coming back. Selanne turns 39 next week.
"Teemu is still playing at a high level, brings passion and energy to the locker room and is a loyal member of this franchise," general manager Bob Murray said in a statement.

The Finnish-born Selanne has played 10 of his 17 NHL seasons with Anaheim and was signed for the 2009-2010 season.

He is the Ducks' all-time scoring leader with 352 goals, including 59 game-winners, and 743 points. Anaheim was eliminated by Detroit in the second round of the playoffs this year.

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- Ten Minnesota natives were selected on the second day of the NHL draft.

Right wing Zach Budish of Edina was the first Minnesotan off the board. Budish was taken 41st overall in the second round by Nashville despite missing last season with a knee injury.

Little Falls forward Ben Hanowski was the second pick of the third round by Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh. The third round also featured Maple Grove defenseman Josh Birkholz being picked by Florida, Minnetonka defenseman Troy Hesketh going to Edmonton and Totino Grace forward Daniel Delisle heading to Chicago.

The other picks Saturday were Faribault defenseman Seth Helgeson, St. Paul defenseman Nick Jensen, Edina forward Anders Lee, Bloomington defenseman Michael Sdao and Duluth East center Maxwell Tardy

[Goodfellas]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- New Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher continued his wheeling and dealing in the NHL draft on Saturday, trading the Wild's fourth and fifth-round picks to Edmonton for center Kyle Brodziak (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3601).

The 25-year-old Brodziak had 27 points in 79 games for the Oilers last season. The 6-foot-2 Alberta native had career highs of 14 goals and 17 assists in 80 games with Edmonton in 2007-08.

Brodziak played on the fourth line in Edmonton, but the Wild desperately needed to bolster their depth at center. Mikko Koivu (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2842) was the only player on the team to give them a consistent presence in the face-off circle last season.

Brodziak, who played for new Wild coach Todd Richards at Wilkes Barre in the AHL, won 51.6 percent of his faceoffs last season. Fletcher has called draft picks "the lifeblood of an organization," which underscores the impact he thinks Brodziak can make with the Wild next season.

The deal provided a solid return on investment for the Oilers, who drafted Brodziak in the seventh round in 2003.

[MAYOR OF BODYBUILDING]

Hey Goodfellas i played ice hockey for 10 years and was a huge Islander fan! Can you give me a breakdown of how the Islanders did in the Draft? Keep up the great work my freind!

[Goodfellas]

Hey Goodfellas i played ice hockey for 10 years and was a huge Islander fan! Can you give me a breakdown of how the Islanders did in the Draft? Keep up the great work my freind!

Here are all of their picks :

• 1 (1) John Tavares, C, London (OHL).
• 1 (12) Calvin de Haan, D, Oshawa (OHL).
• 2 (31) Mikko Koskinen, G, Blues (Finland).
• 3 (62) Anders Nilsson, G, Lulea Jr. (Swedish Jr).
• 4 (92) Casey Cizikas, C, Mississauga-St. Michael's (OHL).
• 5 (122) Anton Klementyev, D, Yaroslavl (Russia-3).
• 6 (152) Anders Lee, C, Edina H.S. (Minn.).

Tavares looks like he is gonna be a good one. He led the Ontario league with 58 goals this season and broke a 33 year old record of 213 goals.

The interesting pick was the goalies, All that money and 15 yr contract to Rick DiPietro. Is is career as a an Islander coming to an end already?

Looks like a great draft to me. Maybe Tavares will bring some excitement back to the Island. Or throw Billy Smith out there and have him whack a few people.

[Goodfellas]

It was no accident that Wayne Gretzky wasn't seated at the Phoenix Coyotes (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4629) draft table Friday night. No matter where the Coyotes (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4629) play next season, it's all but certain Gretzky won't be coaching the team.
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2009/06/28/9959671-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

In sending a third- round selection in next year's Entry Draft to Los Angeles for fourth-line center candidate Brian Boyle, Rangers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4613) general manager Glen Sather traded his team out of the possibility of getting Boston's dynamic Phil Kessel (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/7099) on a Group II free agent offer sheet. if the Rangers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4613) had kept their third-round pick, they'd at least have been in position to offer Kessel, the 21-year-old right wing who scored 36 goals in his third NHL season, an offer sheet for approximately the $5.5 million he's seeking but won't get from Boston.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06292009/sports/rangers/boyle_deal_cost_em_shot_at_kessel_176664.htm)

[Goodfellas]

After two busy days at the NHL entry draft in Montreal, Devils (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4611) general manager Lou Lamoriello has three more days to brace for the opening of the free agent market on Wednesday. Those three days provide a window for Lamoriello to name a successor to head coach Brent Sutter, and there are strong indications he will utilize it, perhaps as soon as Monday. Lamoriello said naming a head coach is next on his agenda. When asked if he intended to do so before July 1, Lamoriello replied, "We???ll see." The evidence continues to point toward former Devils (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4611) coach Jacques Lemaire, who directed the team to its first Stanley Cup in 1995. Lemaire, who will turn 64 in September, has avoided mentioning the Devils (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4611) when talking about his coaching future, but they are the only team without a head coach. An NHL source said Lemaire had anticipated that Lamoriello would formally offer him the job before the draft, but that did not occur, which seemed to suggest that Lamoriello still was talking to other candidates.
Bergen Record (http://www.northjersey.com/sports/devils/49354007.html)

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) re-signed Bill Guerin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/605) for one year on Monday.

The 38-year-old forward who helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup this month would have become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. He signed for $2 million, accepting a big pay cut to stay with a championship team after making $4.5 million last season with the Islanders and Penguins.

Pittsburgh also signed Craig Adams (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2475), a fourth-line forward, to a $1.1 million, two-year contract. Adams made $600,000 last season. He will make $550,000 during each season of his new deal.

A 17-year NHL veteran, Guerin scored seven goals and 15 points in the postseason after being acquired from the Islanders at the trading deadline in March, with all of his goals coming in the first three rounds. He has 408 goals and 811 points in 1,185 regular-season games with New Jersey, where he also won a Stanley Cup, Edmonton, Boston, Dallas, St. Louis, San Jose before joining the Islanders and then the Penguins

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) are keeping Jussi Jokinen (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3021), agreeing to a two-year deal with one of the stars of their recent playoff run.

The team said Monday that Jokinen's new contract will pay him $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in 2010-11. Jokinen could have become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.

Jokinen developed a reputation for scoring clutch goals during the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference finals. The 26-year-old forward deflected a puck past goalie Martin Brodeur (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/686) with his skate with 0.2 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the first round New Jersey and added the tying goal with 80 seconds left in Game 7 of that series.

Carolina acquired Jokinen from Tampa Bay in February.

[Goodfellas]

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Blues are cutting ties with Jay McKee (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1446), buying out the final year of the defenseman's contract.

The 31-year-old McKee signed a four-year, $16-million free agent contract in 2006 and was due $4 million for next season. The Blues are responsible for two-thirds ($2.64 million) of McKee's salary, which will be spread out the next two seasons.

McKee, known for his shot-blocking ability, played in 158 games during an injury-marred tenure in St. Louis. He had three goals and 14 assists in three seasons.

"It's not something I expected, especially after my most productive season in St. Louis," said McKee, who will become a free agent. "I understand they had a decision to make and I was one of them.
"The bottom line is, I didn't fit in their depth chart and my salary was probably a hindrance to their payroll."

The Blues also signed forward Brad Winchester (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2619) and defenseman Mike Weaver (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2964) to one-year deals worth $800,000.

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) retained the rights to three key restricted free agents by extending qualifying offers to forwards Drew Stafford (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3649) and Clarke MacArthur (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3701) and defenseman Andrej Sekera (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3986).
General manager Darcy Regier made the announcement on Monday, hours before a 5 p.m. deadline for teams to make offers to their restricted free agents.

The Sabres will now be able to match any potential offer made to these players by another team when the NHL free agency period begins on Wednesday.

Of the three, Stafford could be a target for an outside offer. The 23-year-old 2004 first-round pick blossomed into an offensive threat this past season by scoring 20 goals, the third-most on the team.

MacArthur, meanwhile, is arbitration eligible after posting 31 points in 71 games, while Sekera, 23, played in 69 games in his first full season with the Sabres.

Regier seemed confident that he would be able to sign all three to long-term deals this summer, but wasn't optimistic that it would get done before Wednesday.

[Goodfellas]

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks) are beginning a roster makeover by declining to make qualifying offers to forwards Marcel Goc (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2856), Tomas Plihal (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3006) and Lukas Kaspar (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3659).

All three forwards played much of last season for the Sharks, who finished with the NHL's best regular-season record before losing their first-round playoff series to Anaheim.

Goc, a first-round draft choice by San Jose in 2001, scored 11 points in 55 games with the Sharks last season. Injuries have limited the defensive-minded Goc's play for the past two seasons.

Plihal scored 13 points in 64 games with San Jose last season as a 26-year-old rookie.

San Jose extended qualifying offers to goalie Thomas Greiss (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3936) and forwards Ryane Clowe (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3493), Torrey Mitchell (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4132) and Brad Staubitz (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3826)

[Goodfellas]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- Ron Wilson's coaching staff for the U.S. Olympic hockey team is complete, with the addition of assistants John Tortorella and Scott Gordon.

Tortorella coaches the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) and Gordon coaches the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders).

Wilson, the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs), was appointed Olympic coach in April. The latest staff decisions for next year's Vancouver Games were announced Monday by USA Hockey.

Tortorella took over the Rangers late last season while Gordon was completing his first year as an NHL coach. Gordon was an assistant under Wilson on the U.S. staff at this year's world championship in Switzerland. He was a member of the 1992 Olympic team in Albertville, France.

[Goodfellas]

The Devils (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4611) are believed to be on the verge of re-signing unrestricted free agent defenseman Johnny Oduya, while allowing their only Selke Trophy winner, John Madden (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5045), and team-record single-season goal-scorer Brian Gionta (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5219) to walk as unrestricted free agents tomorrow.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06302009/sports/devils/devils_near_oduya_deal_176760.htm)

[Goodfellas]

general manager Ken Holland would still like to work out a deal for Marian Hossa (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4982), but knows he'll have a solid team going to training camp either way. Unless Hossa signs a long-term contract with a cap number around $4 million, he'll hit the open market Wednesday. Free agents can sign contracts with new teams starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20090629/SPORTS05/90629071/1048/SPORTS/Wings+offer+Marian+Hossa+about+$4+million+per+year )

[Goodfellas]

Dwayne Roloson is on the clock. General manager Steve Tambellini has offered the about-to-turn 40 goaltender a one-year deal for significant money believed to be in the same area as the $3 million he earned as the Edmonton Oilers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4633) MVP last year. If Roloson decides to test free agency at noon tomorrow, finding a goaltender will be at the top of the Oilers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4633)' free-agent frenzy game plan.
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/06/30/9978256-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

owner Jerry Moyes is blasting the latest bid for his bankrupt team as illegitimate. Chicago sports mogul Jerry Reinsdorf and Valley attorney John Kaites together recently offered $148 million to keep the NHL team playing in Glendale. Moyes says it appears to be a no-cash bid that would assume $118.5 million in secured debt but would fail to pay creditors. Moyes prefers a deal he helped cobble together from Canadian tech-executive Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million that would require the team to move to Ontario.
Arizona Republic (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2009/06/29/20090629spt-yotes.html)

[Goodfellas]

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Stars (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/stars) have re-signed right wing Jere Lehtinen (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1324) to a one-year deal.

The Stars gave the 36-year-old Lehtinen, who has spent his entire career with Dallas, a contract with a base salary of $1.5 million and the possibility of as much as $1 million in incentives.

Lehtinen had eight goals and 16 assists in 48 games last season. He missed 34 games because of injury. For his career, Lehtinen has played in 817 games and has 497 points off 239 goals and 258 assists, and three times he's won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward.

[Goodfellas]

CALGARY (AP) -- Jay Bouwmeester (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3103) didn't wait for the start of free agency and signed a multiyear contract with the Calgary Flames (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flames) on Tuesday.

Flames general manager Darryl Sutter traded Jordan Leopold (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2130) and a draft pick to the Florida Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/panthers) at the NHL draft last weekend to acquire Bouwmeester's rights and get a head start on the competition for the 25-year-old star.

Bouwmeester, who made just under $5 million in the final year of his contract, was due to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.
"I am happy to have this deal done as Calgary was a team I was very interested in playing for," Bouwmeester said. "I was encouraged by the commitment Calgary showed by acquiring me prior to July 1."

[Goodfellas]

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) and center Dave Bolland (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3812) have agreed on a five-year contract.

Bolland, a restricted free agent, had 19 goals, 28 assists and a plus-19 rating during the regular season. He added four goals and eight assists in the playoffs while helping the Blackhawks reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995.
The team did not disclose his salary Tuesday.

The Blackhawks also reached agreements with restricted free agents Jake Dowell (two years) and Antti Niemi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4432) (one year), who both spent most of the season in the minors. Team spokesman Brandon Faber says all three deals need league approval.

The NHL's youngest team last season, the Blackhawks reached the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

[Goodfellas]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The clock begins ticking for the Columbus Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) and captain Rick Nash (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3153) on Wednesday.

Nash has one year left on his contract with the only NHL team for which he has played, and the Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) want to sign him to a long-term deal before he can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

One of the top forwards in the league, it's not just a wild rumor that the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) covet the kid who grew up in suburban Brampton. And the Maple Leafs aren't the only ones.

"We'll talk very early in the free agency period," Columbus general manager Scott Howson said. "We'll see if there's a contract that we can agree to here sometime this summer. I'm optimistic we can re-sign him but until you sit down and start having discussions, you never really know."

Nash will be making $7 million in the final year of his contract with the Blue Jackets. He has played six full years in the NHL, yet turned just 25 earlier this month.

His agent, Joe Resnick, said Tuesday that Nash loves Columbus and the Blue Jackets. But that only goes so far.

[Goodfellas]

Now that the Rangers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4613) have created an extra $5.457 million in cap space by sending Scott Gomez (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5079) to Montreal yesterday in a slam-dunk trade for winger Chris Higgins and blueline prospect Ryan McDonagh, the question is whether Glen Sather will spend it wisely, whether he will keep it in his pocket -- or whether the GM will have a first week of July like the one he had last year. It means that, should they so choose, the Rangers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4613) can be players for Minnesota sniper Marian Gaborik (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5250); or perhaps for Detroit's Marian Hossa (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4982), if he reaches free agency. They might check in on Montreal's impending free-agent defenseman Mike Komisarek (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5421), who, like Higgins, hails from Long Island.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07012009/sports/rangers/gomez_gone__now_rangers_can_hop_176924.htm)

[Goodfellas]

With his signature on the dotted line and five years in a Blackhawks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4621) sweater ahead of him, Dave Bolland (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5918) now hopes he'll be reunited with Martin Havlat (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5209), his linemate for much of the 2008-09 season. With those contracts completed, Hawks GM Dale Tallon shifted his focus to retaining unrestricted free agent Havlat and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4847) before they hit the open market when NHL free agency begins Wednesday at 11 a.m. Bolland said he has exchanged recent text messages with Havlat "trying to persuade him to stay with us."
Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-01-hawks-jul01,0,2032632.story)

[Goodfellas]

The most-mentioned candidate for the Devils (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4611)' coaching job says he's had no discussions at all for the position he once held. Jacques Lemaire is beginning to despair. "There's been nothing, nothing at all. I haven't spoken to anyone," Lemaire told The Post last night. "Maybe I'm going to be a retired person." Lemaire refuted a rumor that he visited Newark and the Devils (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4611)' brass yesterday, saying he played in a charity golf tournament outside Montreal. "But there's nothing going on," Lemaire said.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07012009/sports/devils/jacques__devs_yet_to_talk_176896.htm)

[Goodfellas]

Dany Heatley told the Ottawa Senators (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4609) he didn't want to play for them anymore. And then, last night, he put the screws to them once more -- vetoing a deal to the Edmonton Oilers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4633). With a deal to the Oilers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4633) worked out, the disgruntled winger left the Senators (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4609) twisting right up to their midnight deadline. Then he said no. League sources confirmed last night an agreement had been reach to deal Heatley for centre Andrew Cogliano, underachieving winger Dustin Penner (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5791) and defenseman Ladislav Smid (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/5821).
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/07/01/9990131-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

The Ducks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4626) are still negotiating with defenseman Scott Niedermayer (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4758) in hopes of re-signing him before he can become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, and a club spokesman said the talks were "progressing." Niedermayer told the Ducks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4626) last week that he intends to play one more season -- and would play for them, quashing speculation that he might move elsewhere. And even if he doesn't have a deal done before the NHL's free agency period begins, he's still likely to stay in Anaheim. But the Ducks (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/4626) would like to have him under contract before then so there's no way he can get away.
Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/06/ducks-niedermayer-still-talking.html)

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) signed checking-line forward Mike Rupp to a $1.6 million, two-year contract Wednesday, adding a physical presence to a team that didn't have an enforcer on the ice during the playoffs.

The 29-year-old Rupp essentially plays the same role as forward Eric Godard (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3082), who was deactivated for all of the Stanley Cup champions' playoff games.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Rupp will make $825,000 each season. He had three goals, six assists and 136 penalty minutes in 72 games for New Jersey last season.

The Penguins lost one of their two top-line defensemen when Hal Gill (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1661) signed a two-year contract with Montreal. Pittsburgh showed no interest in signing the 34-year-old Gill beyond one season.

[Goodfellas]

DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/avalanche) have signed free agent forward David Koci (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2745) (COACH-ee) to a one-year contract.
The financial terms weren't disclosed in Wednesday's announcement.

The 28-year-old Koci appeared in 37 combined games with the Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning) and St. Louis Blues during the 2008-09 season. He had two points and 141 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-6, 238-pound left wing was selected 146th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2000 entry draft. Koci made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) during the 2006-07 season.
The Prague, Czech Republic, native has appeared in 64 career NHL games, recording two points and 297 penalty minutes.

[Goodfellas]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- On the day Marian Gaborik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2416) left Minnesota for good, the Wild signed free-agent right wing Martin Havlat (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2124) to fill the big hole in their lineup

The Wild signed Havlat, Chicago's leading scorer last season with 77 points, to a six-year contract late Wednesday night. Gaborik signed earlier with the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers), leaving the Wild for a five-year, $37.5 million deal.

Havlat became expendable in Chicago when the Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1640) away from Detroit with a 12-year, $62.8 million contract.

Havlat had 29 goals and 48 assists in 81 regular-season games last season and added five goals and 10 assists in 16 playoff games

[Goodfellas]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) signed free-agent center Vern Fiddler to a two-year contract Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 29-year-old Fiddler had 11 goals and six assists in 77 games last season for the Nashville Predators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/predators). He has 45 goals and 48 assists in 305 career NHL games over six seasons, all with Nashville.

Also, the Coyotes signed free-agent goalie Jason LaBarbera (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2476) to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 29-year-old LaBarbera was 8-10-6 with a 2.78 goals-against average with two shutouts in 28 games last season for the Los Angeles Kings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/kings) and Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks).

In 107 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles and Vancouver, LaBarbera has a 37-44-10 record with four shutouts and a 2.97 GAA.

[Goodfellas]

The Penguins also signed former Boston University defenseman Brian Stra

Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) general manager Scott Howson announced the move on Wednesday, the first day NHL teams could sign free agents from other clubs.

The 31-year-old Swede played for Anaheim and Chicago last season, totaling seven goals and 11 assists in 65 games.
Pahlsson has 54 goals and 92 assists in 557 career games. He made his NHL debut with Boston in 2000-2001.

[Goodfellas]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Once the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) got out from under Scott Gomez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1844)'s expensive contract, they turned to Marian Gaborik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2416) and gave him the money they suddenly saved.

One day after trading Gomez and the five years and $33.5 million left on his contract to the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens), the Rangers signed the 27-year-old Gaborik away from the Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild) with a five-year, $37.5 million deal.

"He is an exciting guy to watch play," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said Wednesday night. "He can skate and does a lot of great things. He's a great player and he's young. I certainly think he's in the top 10 in this league."

Gaborik was the only remaining player from the Wild's original team, and was the club's first draft pick nine years ago. He is the Wild's career-leading scorer.

After netting a career-high 42 goals in the 2007-08 season with the Wild, he was limited to 17 games last season due to injuries. He still managed to score 13 goals in that span. Gaborik has scored at least 30 goals in five of his eight NHL seasons.

[Goodfellas]

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/thrashers) found help for their porous defense, acquiring defenseman Pavel Kubina (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1733) from Toronto in a four-player trade Wednesday night.

The Thrashers traded defenseman Garnet Exelby (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2818) and forward Colin Stuart (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3602) to the Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) for Kubina, a former All-Star, and forward Tim Stapleton (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4467).

The Thrashers gave up 280 goals last season, the second-highest figure in the NHL, behind Toronto's 293.

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said the 32-year-old Kubina will give Atlanta one of its strongest defensive lines.

"I feel it's one of the best groups of top four defensemen we've probably ever had here in the history of the Thrashers," Waddell said, referring to Kubina, Zach Bogosian (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4473), Tobias Enstrom (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4235) and Ron Hainsey (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2571).

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens) were busy again Wednesday with the signings of wingers Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2144) and defensemen Jaroslav Spacek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1783) and Hal Gill (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1661) on the first day of free-agent shopping in the NHL.

One day after acquiring center Scott Gomez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1844) from the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) in a six-player trade, the Canadiens signed Cammalleri to a five-year, $30 million contract, Gionta to a five-year, $25 million deal, Spacek to a three-year deal worth $11.5 million, and Gill -- fresh off a Stanley Cup title with the Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) -- for two years and $4.5 million.

"We have a player who is a No. 1 center and, without the trade, I think we wouldn't have been able to be as aggressive or as attractive to those other players," general manager Bob Gainey said.
The moves put a new face on the Canadiens, who had 10 unrestricted free agents of their own on the market.

Cammalleri, who led the Flames with 39 goals last season, became a popular player in Calgary after being acquired from the Los Angeles Kings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/kings) last season. He had 82 points in 81 games, second on the team behind linemate Jarome Iginla (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1453).

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- Mike Komisarek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2843) is about to see the other side of hockey's oldest rivalry.

The free-agent defenseman signed a five-year, $22.5-million deal to join the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) on Wednesday.

Komisarek had spent his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens) and drew lots of interest around the NHL after becoming an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. Eventually, the 27-year-old Komisarek decided to join the Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs).

Komisarek had two goals and 11 points in 66 games for Montreal last season, along with 121 penalty minutes

[Goodfellas]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/607) is staying in Anaheim after signing a one-year deal Wednesday worth $6 million plus bonuses.

Already a foregone conclusion that the star defenseman would be back, the Ducks made it official a few hours into the NHL free-agent shopping season.

"Keeping Scott Niedermayer in an Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) jersey was paramount for our club," general manager Bob Murray said in a statement. "We're extremely pleased he's chosen to remain with us and look forward to another great season from a Hall of Fame-bound player."

Niedermayer considered retirement before announcing his intention to return on Friday, prompting the Ducks to deal Chris Pronger (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/639) to Philadelphia at the NHL draft.

[Goodfellas]

EDMONTON. Alberta (AP) -- EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- The Edmonton Oilers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/oilers) are turning to another veteran goaltender.

Edmonton signed 36-year-old Nikolai Khabibulin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1174) to a four-year, 15-million deal on Wednesday. He'll replace 39-year-old Dwayne Roloson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1473), who signed earlier in the day with the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders).
Khabibulin is a former Stanley Cup winner who spent last season with the Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks).

He went 25-8-7 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .919 save percentage despite missing time due to a nagging groin injury.
"Nikolai is a world-class goaltender who has proven himself throughout his career as one of the best in the game," Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said in a release. "He has had success at many levels of hockey and we're looking forward to seeing him continue that success here in Edmonton."

Khabibulin joins his fifth NHL team after stops with the Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning), Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) and Winnipeg Jets. He backstopped the Lightning to the Stanley Cup title in 2004.

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Unable to meet defensman Jaroslav Spacek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1783)'s contract demands, the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) wasted little time to find an experienced -- but less expensive -- replacement: Steve Montador (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2962).
The seven-year NHL veteran agreed to a two-year $3.1 million contract shortly after free-agency opened Wednesday. He'll make $1.55 million -- nearly double what he earned last year -- in each season.

Montador had four goals and 17 assists in 78 games last season, which he finished with Boston after being acquired from Anaheim in March. He is a physical player who picdor lacks Spacek's offensive touch, but does provide the Sabres with more toughness along the blue line.

[Goodfellas]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Free agent defenseman Mattias Ohlund (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1456) has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning).

The 32-year-old native of Sweden has played in 770 games over the past 11 NHL seasons, all with the Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks). He is the Canucks' career leader in goals by a defenseman and was an All-Star during the 1998-99 season.

He received a seven-year deal worth $24.5 million.

Ohlund played in all 82 games last season, finishing with six goals and 25 points. He has 93 goals and 325 points during his career. In 52 playoff games, Ohlund notched nine goals and 28 points.
The Lightning not only feel they improved their roster immediately, but also are counting on Ohlund to be a mentor for Victor Hedman, the No. 2 overall pick in last week's NHL draft.

[Goodfellas]

MIAMI (AP) -- The Florida Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/panthers) agreed to a six-year contract extension with David Booth (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4017), shortly after the young forward became a restricted free agent on Wednesday.

The deal was announced early in the NHL's free-agent signing season.

In 72 games for the Panthers last season, Booth recorded 31 goals and 29 assists, both career highs. The 24-year-old Michigan native also became the sixth player in franchise history to score at least 30 goals. He led the team with 246 shots.

"I'm really pumped to be in the organization," Booth said. "This is one of the best days of my life."

[Goodfellas]

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Blues, seeking to add depth at the goaltender position, have signed free-agent Ty Conklin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2742).

Terms of the deal announced Wednesday were not disclosed.
The 33-year-old Conklin played in 40 games for Detroit last season, going 25-11-2 with a 2.51 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. His six shutouts tied for the sixth-most in the NHL.

The Anchorage, Alaska, native is 73-43-14 with a 2.58 goals against average and .909 save percentage in six seasons. He was originally signed by Edmonton as an undrafted free agent in 2001.

Chris Mason (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1830) seized the starting job in midseason from Manny Legace (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1241) and started the final 33 regular-season games and all four playoff games for the Blues

[Goodfellas]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Thirteen seasons in the NHL have made Mike Knuble (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1296) comfortable with doing the dirty work in the corners and in front of the net.

Just because he'll be skating next season on the wing opposite Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) star Alex Ovechkin, Knuble doesn't expect to alter his approach

The Capitals addressed their need for a scoring winger, signing free-agent right winger Knuble to a two-year deal worth $5.6 million on the first day of NHL free agency.

"I know what I do well," Knuble said. "I complement players. I've been able to be successful and they've been able to be successful."
Knuble, who turns 37 on Saturday, had 27 goals and 20 assists in 82 games for Philadelphia last season. The deal was announced Wednesday, a few hours after teams could sign free agents.

[Goodfellas]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Rangers are hitting back, signing top enforcer Donald Brashear (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/817) right after losing tough guy Colton Orr (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2955) to the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs).

A few hours into the NHL free-agent shopping season began Wednesday, Orr signed a four-year deal with the Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs). New York responded by plucking Brashear away from Washington. Brashear led the Capitals with 119 penalty minutes, and had one goal and four points in 63 games.

In 989 career games with Montreal, Vancouver, Philadelphia and Washington, Brashear has 85 goals, 204 points and 2,561 penalty minutes.
Brashear was suspended by the NHL for a total of six games -- five for a "blind-side hit" on Rangers center Blair Betts (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2540) -- during the teams' first-round playoff series.

[Goodfellas]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Devils (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/devils) have re-signed defenseman Andy Greene (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3871).

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello announced the signing Wednesday without revealing terms of the deal.

The 26-year-old Greene has played three seasons with the Devils organization. He had two goals and seven assists in 49 regular-season games last season.

Over three seasons, he has five goals and 20 assists in 131 games.
The Trenton, Mich., native signed with the Devils as a free agent in April 2006 after four seasons at Ohio's Miami University

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) are bringing some much needed muscle into their lineup with the signing of former New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) enforcer Colton Orr (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2955).

The Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) and Orr agreed to terms on a four-year deal Wednesday shortly after the NHL's free-agent shopping season began at noon. Toronto general manager Brian Burke has repeatedly said since he took over last season that it was his intent to make the Maple Leafs tougher.

Orr has piled up more than 100 penalty minutes each of the past three seasons. He had 52 fighting majors during that time with the Rangers.

The 27-year-old forward is joining his third Original Six team after stops in Boston and New York

[JohnnyMuscles]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- On the day Marian Gaborik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2416) left Minnesota for good, the Wild signed free-agent right wing Martin Havlat (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2124) to fill the big hole in their lineup

The Wild signed Havlat, Chicago's leading scorer last season with 77 points, to a six-year contract late Wednesday night. Gaborik signed earlier with the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers), leaving the Wild for a five-year, $37.5 million deal.

Havlat became expendable in Chicago when the Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1640) away from Detroit with a 12-year, $62.8 million contract.

Havlat had 29 goals and 48 assists in 81 regular-season games last season and added five goals and 10 assists in 16 playoff games

I like Gaborik, hopefully he can stay healthy. We only have 4 defensmen signed and we lost Antropov and Sjostrom need to sign more forwards.

[Goodfellas]

I hope he can too. As usual the Sabres sign crap.

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) locked up another of their free agents Thursday, re-signing forward Chad LaRose (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3324) to a two-year deal.

LaRose, 27, will make $1.5 million this upcoming season and $1.9 million in 2010-11. He made $875,000 last season -- by far his best in the NHL.

"Chad has grown into a key player for our franchise," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He had his best year last season and is an important penalty killer and popular player in our locker room and with our fans."

LaRose, a one-time undrafted free agent, had career highs of 81 games played, 19 goals and 31 points while helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference finals.

He briefly tested the free agent market but ultimately became the third high-profile forward to re-sign with Carolina this week, following Erik Cole (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2411) and Jussi Jokinen (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3021), who also agreed to two-year deals to stay in Raleigh.

[Goodfellas]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Rob Scuderi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2837) signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/kings) on Thursday, leaving the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) without their top defensive pairing.

Scuderi, who teamed with Hal Gill (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1661) to form a shutdown tandem on the blue line, led the Penguins with a plus-23 rating and had a career-high 16 points in 81 regular-season games. He also had a team-high 164 blocked shots.

He and Gill faced the challenge of holding down the opposition's biggest offensive threats, and they were good enough to help the Penguins win the Stanley Cup for the third time. Gill left Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the opening day of the NHL's free-agent signing season, for a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens).

[Goodfellas]

The Dallas Stars (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/stars) have signed free agent defenseman Karlis Skrastins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1859) to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million.

The Stars gave the 34-year-old Skrastins $1.1 million for the 2009 season and $1.65 million for 2010.

Skrastins played in 80 games for the Florida Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/panthers) last season and had four goals, 14 assists, 18 points and led the team with 171 blocked shots.

Skrastins has played in 679 career games and has 27 goals and 88 assists total. He also played in the 2004 and 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs and has skated for Latvia at the Winter Olympics in 2002 and 2006

[Goodfellas]

The Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) have signed left wing Stefan Meyer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3393) to a one-year contract.

The 23-year-old Meyer was acquired on June 19 from the Florida Panthers for the rights to center Steven Reinprecht.

Meyer had 18 goals and 22 assists in 65 games last season with Rochester of the AHL. He played in four games for the Panthers during the 2007-08 season.

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- Mark Recchi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/11) joined the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) hoping to win his fourth Stanley Cup ring. He decided to stay to take another shot at it.

The NHL's sixth-leading active goal scorer signed a one-year deal Thursday to return to the Bruins.

The 41-year-old Recchi, obtained in a March 4 trade from Tampa Bay, said four days after the Bruins were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs that he might retire if they didn't offer him a contract.

"He was of the mind that he had such a wonderful experience that if the club would like him to come back, he'd consider it," Recchi's agent Richard Curran said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He wanted to come back and finish what they started."

[Goodfellas]

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/thrashers) signed free agent forward Nik Antropov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1962) to a four-year, $16 million contract on Thursday, setting up a reunion with fellow Russian Ilya Kovalchuk (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2944).

The 29-year-old Antropov played with Kovalchuk in Russia during the NHL lockout. General manager Don Waddell said Kovalchuk endorsed the signing with a text message saying "great job."

Kovalchuk's approval is important. The Thrashers' captain and biggest star is entering his free-agent season, and has said he wants to see the team's offseason moves before he talks about signing a new deal.

Waddell said the Antropov signing should help the team re-sign Kovalchuk.

[Goodfellas]

The Senators might not let Dany Heatley take the money and run after he turned down a deal to the Edmonton Oilers. While owner Eugene Melnyk, who paid a $4-million US bonus to the unhappy star, hasn't indicated he'll take any legal action, the Senators have talked about their options with NHL headquarters in New York. The Senators say they'd been given permission by Heatley's agents, Stacey McAlpine and J.P. Barry, to make a deal with the Oilers. Edmonton wasn't on the list of eight to 10 preferred desintations submitted by the agents, but GM Bryan Murray said he wouldn't pursue a deal without permission from the Heatley camp, which he claims he received.
Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/07/03/10010691-sun.html)

[Goodfellas]

Chuck Fletcher still has a few players in his sights, including center Saku Koivu, but if none of those deals materializes, the Wild might be done with free agency. The addition of Koivu would make that flexibility less important because he would give the Wild four legitimate centers: Koivu, his brother Mikko, Eric Belanger and James Sheppard. That's something the Wild haven't had since Wes Walz retired.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12745232)

[Goodfellas]

The video was delivered to Marian Gaborik's house in Slovakia at about 6 p.m., or noon in the Eastern United States on Wednesday, when the NHL free-agent market window opened. The fleet sniper, who had been the leading scorer in the history of the Minnesota Wild, did not get a contract offer from his former team, and the Rangers were prepared. The promotional video prepared specifically for the 27-year-old included highlights of his career, clips from games at Madison Square Garden and testimonials from players on how fabulous it is to play in New York. "I watched it right away and it was unbelievable," Gaborik said yesterday, less than 24 hours after he agreed to a five-year, $37.5-million offer - with a limited no-trade clause - that will make him the team's No. 1 right wing.
New York Newsday (http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers/ny-sprang0312940106jul02,0,2154702.story)

[Goodfellas]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Free agent forward Mikael Samuelsson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2549) signed a three-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks) on Friday.

"Obviously (the money) was the key, I shouldn't lie," Samuelsson said in a telephone conference call after signing the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Swedish right wing spent the past four seasons in Detroit, winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 and falling one game short this year. The 32-year-old has 86 goals and 208 points in 466 career NHL games.

Samuelsson was also part of Sweden's gold-medal winning team at the 2006 Turin Olympics.

He's the third forward to leave the Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) this spring. Marian Hossa (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1640) and Tomas Kopecky (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2607) signed with the Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) this week.

Samuelsson believes the Canucks, who signed brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2103) of Sweden to contract extensions this week, can contend for the Stanley Cup.

"I like the team," he said. "When you play against Vancouver it's always a hard game and a skill game too.

"You need some experience (to win the Cup). You need to be hungry. I believe we can do some damage."

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Turns out more than one player is willing to take a hometown discount to stay with the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins).

Ruslan Fedotenko (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2158) signed a $1.8 million, one-year contract Friday, becoming the third forward to take a pay cut so he wouldn't have to leave a mostly young team that expects to be a championship contender for years.

Fedotenko made $2.25 million last season, when he bounced back from a disappointing regular season (16 goals, 39 points) to get seven goals and seven assists in the playoffs.

Craig Adams (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2475) ($600,000 to $550,000) and Bill Guerin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/605) ($4.5 million to $2 million) also accepted salary cuts to stay after the free-agent signing period began Wednesday

[Goodfellas]

HELSINKI (AP) -- Anaheim forward Teemu Selanne (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/500) says his next NHL season will be his last.

Selanne, a 10-time All-Star, celebrated his 39th birthday Friday. He told the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper in Finland that a man his age doesn't belong in the NHL.

Selanne recently contemplated retirement but decided to play for one more season.

He also pondered the possibility of playing with longtime Montreal captain Saku Koivu (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1341). The Ducks are a possible new team for Koivu, who is leaving the Canadiens after 13 years.

The Finnish-born Selanne entered the NHL in 1992 at age 22 with the Winnipeg Jets. In his first season, he scored 76 goals to set a rookie record.

Selanne has 614 goals for Winnipeg, San Jose, Colorado and Anaheim.

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) right winger Nikolai Zherdev (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3328) and Detroit forward Jiri Hudler (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3174) are among the 20 players who will enter salary arbitration, the NHL Players' Association said Sunday night.
Zherdev, who tied for the team lead with 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists), is looking for a raise on the $3.25 million salary he made last season. Hudler had 23 goals and 34 assists in the regular season. He made $1.15 million last season.

Anaheim defenseman James Wisniewski (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3571) also field along with Atlanta's Colby Armstrong (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2857), Boston's Matt Hunwick (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4270), Buffalo's Clarke MacArthur (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3701), Carolina's Tuomo Ruutu (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2845), Chicago's Aaron Johnson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3154), Columbus' Marc Methot (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3526), Edmonton's Denis Grebeshkov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3128), Minnesota's Kyle Brodziak (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3601), Montreal's Tomas Plekanec (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3005), New Jersey's Travis Zajac (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3657), the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders)' Nate Thompson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3698), the Rangers' Ryan Callahan (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3886), Phoenix's Nigel Dawes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3670) and Daniel Winnik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3867), Tampa Bay's Matt Smaby (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3379), Vancouver's Kyle Wellwood (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3014) and Washington's Milan Jurcina (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3214).

[Goodfellas]

For all the hype about Jonas Gustavsson and his NHL potential, the plan still is for Marty Turco to have his hands firmly on the wheel of the Stars in 2009-10. The disappointing season caused Turco to reach these conclusions: He didn't work hard enough last summer and was not prepared during the pre-season. He needs help. Turco played a career-high 74 games. He faced 1,993 shots, almost 350 more than his previous high. Turco said he should be playing 50-55 games a season. In 2007-08, when he had his best playoff performance, he played 62. "I understand more than ever that you do have to manage the entire season," Turco said. "I have a difficult time conserving energy, so I think that when I can keep my starts down, it will help me play better when the playoffs come."
Dallas Morning News (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/070609dnspoheika.32c35f9.html)

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- Former Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) defenseman Francois Beauchemin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3203) signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) on Monday.

The signing reunites the physical defenseman with Toronto general manager Brian Burke, who was Beauchemin's GM with the Ducks.
"I try to play an aggressive style of game," Beauchemin said during a conference call. "Solid in the D-zone, I try to contribute offensively when I can, I just try to be hard to play against."

The 29-year-old Beauchemin missed 62 games last season due to a knee injury last season, but returned to play in the final two regular-season games and all 13 playoff contests for Anaheim.

"Francois will be a welcome addition to our blue-line," Burke said. "He's a rock solid, steady defender that will add character to our team

[Goodfellas]

ATLANTA (AP) -- Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2457) and forward Jason Krog (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1993) have signed deals to return to the Atlanta Thrashers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/thrashers).

Kwiatkowski, 32, recorded five assists in 18 games with Atlanta during the 2007-08 season and has played in 282 career NHL games with five teams. He played in Russia last season.

Krog, 33, had three points in 14 games with Atlanta in the 2006-07 season and had 86 points with Manitoba of the AHL last season. He has appeared in 202 career NHL games with five teams.

The Thrashers also signed unrestricted free agent goalies Drew MacIntyre (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3177) and Peter Mannino (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4510) on Monday

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) have signed free agent forward Ville Leino (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4441) to a two-year deal.

The team did not disclose terms Monday.

The 25-year-old native of Savonlinna, Finland, appeared in 13 games for Detroit last season, posting five goals and four assists. Leino played in seven playoff games, notching two assists.

He spent most of last season playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, posting 15 goals and 31 assists in 57 regular-season games. He had three goals and 10 assists in 10 playoff games with the Griffins

[Goodfellas]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks) added depth in the nets by signing free agent goalie Andrew Raycroft (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2150) to a one-year deal on Monday worth $500,000.

Raycroft went 12-16-0 with a 3.14 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage in 31 games last season. He will serve as the backup to Roberto Luongo (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1793).

In 230 career NHL games in eight seasons with Toronto, Boston and Colorado, Raycroft is 94-96-16, with six shutouts, a 2.90 GAA and .899 save percentage.

Vancouver lost backup goalie Jason LaBarbera (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2476) last week when he signed a two-year, free-agent contract with the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes).
The Canucks also announced Monday that they re-signed defenseman Shane O'Brien to a one-year, $1.6-million contract.

O'Brien, a 25-year-old restricted free agent, had 10 assists in 77 games last season, his first with the Canucks after being acquired in a four-player trade with Tampa Bay in October.

O'Brien also had 196 penalty minutes last season, second in the NHL to Philadelphia forward Daniel Carcillo (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3689).

[Goodfellas]

VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) -- Chris Pronger (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/639) expects to help Philadelphia win a Stanley Cup this season and beyond.

Working out a contract extension with Philadelphia before the potential free agent plays his first game with the Flyers is already a priority for the former NHL MVP.

"I'd love to finish my career here," Pronger said.

The Flyers are putting their win-now hopes in the hands of an aging and antagonistic defenseman acquired in a blockbuster, draft-day trade with the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks).

The Flyers surrendered a pair of first-round picks and a promising prol a new deal can be reached before the start of next season

[Goodfellas]

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) resolved some of the administrative problems surrounding their restricted free agents by agreeing to contract terms with six of those players.

The Blackhawks announced they had agreed to two-year deals with forward Troy Brouwer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3947) and goaltender Corey Crawford (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3390) and one-year contracts with forwards Ben Eager (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3100) and Colin Fraser (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3565) and defenseman Aaron Johnson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3154).

On Monday night, they agreed to a three-year deal with defenseman Cam Barker (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3639). Barker had six goals and 34 assists in 68 games.
Still absent from the list of signed players was forward Kris Versteeg (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3938), an NHL rookie-of-the-year finalist.

The NHL Players' Association filed a grievance on Monday, saying the Blackhawks hadn't notified their restricted free agents in time.

"The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) confirms today that it has filed a grievance regarding the failure of the Chicago Blackhawks to submit qualifying offers to its 2009 restricted free agents prior to the deadline stipulated in the CBA," the NHLPA said in a statement. The NHLPA said the case is pending before an arbitrator.

[Goodfellas]

Brett Favre signing with the Minnesota Vikings is expected to be announced in time for the start of the team's single-game ticket sales July 20. The Vikings will play Favre's former team, the Green Bay Packers, Oct. 5 at the Metrodome on Monday night on ESPN. The Vikings are planning to require anyone buying a ticket to that game to also buy a ticket to the Aug. 21 exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, a little birdie heard that quarterback Brett Favre and wife Deanna last weekend made a $30,000 deposit on a condominium near 50th and France in Edina.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/ci_12761962)

[Goodfellas]

Brett Favre may be the guy garnering all the attention about whether or not he will retire from the NFL, but there's another old, Hall of Fame bound veteran who also is unsure about his status for the 2009 season. That would be linebacker Junior Seau, who joined the New England Patriots late last year to help their depleted defense down the stretch. As of now, Seau says he's retired, but as you'll hear, that could change somewhere down the line. The veteran joined XX 1090 in San Diego to talk about his mindset about playing this year, why he partially understands what Brett Favre is going through, what kind of season he thinks Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson will have and when he thinks he might arrive at his decision about playing in 2009.
sportstradiointerviews.com (http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/07/06/junior-seau-still-unsure-about-his-future/)
(http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/07/06/junior-seau-still-unsure-about-his-future/)

[Goodfellas]

The Toronto Maple Leafs are under investigation for tampering because of comments made by head coach Ron Wilson about the club's interest in Daniel and Henrik Sedin prior to the free-agent deadline on July 1. Leafs general manager Brian Burke confirmed yesterday that the NHL has informed him that the league will examine potential tampering because of remarks made by the Leafs coach in an interview with a Toronto radio station last week.
Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/wilsons-remarks-about-sedins-prompt-league-investigation/article1208645/)

[Goodfellas]

Glendale's legal team may challenge whether money from a Coyotes bankruptcy sale is owed to Jerry Moyes and Wayne Gretzky. Moyes, the majority owner, wants to be repaid for at least some of the $104 million he says he began loaning the financially troubled franchise in 2006. Court filings show Gretzky is owed more than $9.3 million. If Glendale attorneys were able to limit or knock off the two largest unsecured creditors, it could provide more money for the remaining creditors and make more viable a bid to keep the team at Jobing.com Arena.
Arizona Republic (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2009/07/06/20090706spt-coyotes.html)

[Goodfellas]

Nikolai Zherdev's decision to file for salary arbitration probably means that it will be one-and-done on Broadway for the underachieving winger. As it was, there was debate within the organization whether to qualify Zherdev at the required $3.25 million price tag after his uneven season that frustrated both Tom Renney and John Tortorella.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07072009/sports/rangers/rangers_likely_done_with_zherdev_177951.htm)

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- The Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) have landed "The Monster."
Toronto has nabbed coveted Swedish free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson with a one-year contract on Tuesday. Toronto has nabbed coveted Swedish free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson with a one-year contract. The 24-year-old netminder, nicknamed "The Monster", was also heavily pursued by Dallas, San Jose and Colorado.

"Jonas is considered by many to be the best goaltender not playing in the NHL today," Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said in a statement. "He has a unique combination of size and agility and we're excited to add a player with his potential to our roster."
Gustavsson played for Farjestads in the Swedish Elite League last season, registering four shutouts with a league-leading 1.96 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage in 42 games.

The 6-foot-3 Gustavsson, expected to be the backup to Maple Leafs starting goalie Vesa Toskala (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2163), led Farjestads to the league championship after allowing just 14 goals in 13 playoff games with five shutouts.

[Goodfellas]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Chris Pronger (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/639) and the Philadelphia Flyers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flyers) agreed to a $34.9 million, seven-year contract extension on Tuesday, less than two weeks after the 2000 NHL MVP joined his new team.

The Flyers acquired the star defenseman in a blockbuster, draft-day trade with the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) last month. Philadelphia surrendered a pair of first-round picks, a 25-goal scorer and a promising prospect to get Pronger.

The 34-year-old Pronger had 11 goals and 37 assists last season with the Ducks. Pronger will make $6.25 million next season in the final year of his original contract. He'll earn $7.6 million in each of the next two years, $7.2 million in 2012-13, $7 million in 2013-14 and $5.5 million over the last three years of the deal.

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) forward Maxime Talbot will miss training camp and the beginning of the season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Talbot scored both goals in Pittsburgh's 2-1 victory in Game 7 against Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals last month.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero said in a statement that Talbot has played with the injury "for quite a while." Talbot's recovery will take four to five months.

Talbot has 42 goals and 80 points in 261 career NHL games.
The surgery was performed Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

[Goodfellas]

OTTAWA (AP) -- Alex Kovalev's disappointment in leaving the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens) is balanced by the belief he can be a missing piece in helping the Ottawa Senators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/senators) rebound from bad times.
The 36-year-old right winger spoke on a conference call from his native Russia on Tuesday, one day after he left the Canadiens to sign a two-year, $10-million deal with the Senators.

Kovalev expressed gratitude to fans in Montreal and tried to clear up misconceptions about his perceived image as a selfish, uncaring player.

"I've been saying many times, I don't know where that comes from," said Kovalev, who has played 16 NHL seasons. "Maybe when coaches say something to me and I don't answer back, they think I don't care.

"All I've been looking for in my career is that I have some kind of communication with my coach."

[Goodfellas]

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Stars (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/stars) announced that they have signed free-agent defenseman Jeff Woywitka (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2938) to a 2-year deal.

A statement released by the Stars on Tuesday says the deal is worth $600,000 next season and $700,000 for the 2010-11 season.
The 25-year-old Woywitka had three goals and 15 assists in 65 games with the St. Louis Blues last season.

In 152 career NHL games, all with the Blues, the 6-foot-3, 217-pound Woywitka had six goals and 29 assists.

[Goodfellas]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Free agent forward Stephane Veilleux (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2953) has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning).

The team announced the deal on Tuesday.

A third-round pick in the 2001 draft, Veilleux has spent his entire career with the Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild), playing in 361 games. The left winger scored a career-best 13 goals and notched 23 points in 81 games last season.

[Goodfellas]

After a frenetic week of bulking up -- Toronto has added defensemen Mike Komisarek from Montreal, Beauchemin from Anaheim and Garnet Exelby from Atlanta, forwards Colton Orr from the Rangers and Colin Stuart from the Thrashers and, yesterday, goaltender Jonas Gustavsson -- three things hold true for the Leafs: They have an excess of defencemen, a dearth of scoring forwards and a GM who is itching to keep tinkering with his club, correcting that imbalance in the process. "We're not done. We've still got cap room and you can go over the cap in the summer," said Brian Burke. Among the teams still looking for a puck-moving defenseman are St. Louis, Los Angeles and Columbus.
Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/662561)

[Goodfellas]

The Blackhawks' front office apparently has cleaned up the mess it made last week. Sources say the Hawks will announce the signing of winger Kris Versteeg to a three-year contract valued at slightly more than $9 million today. If they do, an embarrassing episode for the franchise will be over. The Hawks apparently violated the collective-bargaining agreement by improperly sending qualifying offers to some of their key restricted free agents, and the NHL Players Association filed a grievance. General manager Dale Tallon promptly signed six of the eight players affected, leaving Versteeg and minor-leaguer Bryan Bickell in limbo. Now it appears Bickell might be the only one still affected.
Chicago Sun Times (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1656279,CST-SPT-hawk08.article)

[Goodfellas]

Saku Koivu former captain of the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens), has signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks).

Koivu will earn $3.25 million.

The length of the free agent contract dovetails with the one signed by Teemu Selanne (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/500), who has announced he will retire after the 2009-10 season. Koivu, a center, and Selanne, a right wing, have had success internationally playing on the same line, helping Finland to win the silver medal in the 2006 Olympics.

Koivu had 16 goals and 34 assists last year in Montreal, which squeaked into the playoffs and was eliminated in four straight by the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins). Koivu, one of 10 Montreal UFAs, became a focal point for discontent with the Canadiens, a heritage franchise that did not reach a conference final since he joined it in 1995. The Canadiens did not offer Koivu a contract for next season.

The Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild) had been interested in signing Koivu to join his brother, Mikko, but Saku was reluctant to play with his emerging younger sibling because he thought it would retard Mikko's progress.

[Goodfellas]

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Stars (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/stars) have filled their big need for a backup goalie, getting Alex Auld (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2187) from the Ottawa Senators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/senators).
The Senators had a logjam at the position, so they were willing to give up Auld for merely a sixth-round pick in 2010. The selection actually belongs to San Jose, having been acquired for Dallas' seventh-rounder at this year's draft.

The Stars didn't pursue any veteran NHL free-agent goalies because they were in the sweepstakes for coveted Swedish free agent Jonas Gustavsson. Gustavsson chose Toronto on Tuesday, and new Dallas general manager Joe Nieuwendyk went to Plan B on Wednesday.

"Alex is a proven NHL veteran with a track record of success in this league," Nieuwendyk said. "He has size and ability, and we expect him to be an excellent goaltender for us."

The 6-foot-4, 223-pounder will help ease the load on Marty Turco (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1894), who played 74 games last year, including a franchise-record 32 straight. The Stars are hoping that using Turco less will help keep him fresh.

[Goodfellas]

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) agreed to terms with left wing Kris Versteeg (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3938) on a three-year contract Wednesday, effectively ending a free agent signing headache that prompted a grievance from the NHL Players' Association.

The NHLPA filed the grievance this week, saying the Blackhawks had missed the deadline for delivering qualifying offers to restricted free agents, including Versteeg. All seven of those restricted free agents who played at some time with the Blackhawks last season are now signed or have agreed to sign.

Versteeg led all rookies last season with 31 assists while ranking second with 53 points. He was fourth among first-year players with 22 goals, earning him a nomination for the 2009 Calder Trophy as Chicago advanced to the Western Conference finals.

According to published reports, Versteeg's contract is worth $9.25 million over three years. Defenseman Cam Barker (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3639) reportedly got similar deal when he signed on Monday night. The Blackhawks also signed minor league forward Bryan Bickell (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3814) to a one-year contract

[Goodfellas]

SAN JOSE (AP) -- Claude Lemieux (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/334) announced his retirement again Wednesday, wrapping up a 21-year NHL career with four Stanley Cups.

The 44-year-old forward came back from a five-year retirement in December to sign with the San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks), where he had one assist in 18 games last season.

"I want to thank my former teammates from my entire career for all of their support," Lemieux said in a statement. "I feel very fortunate that I was able to have a career like I had.

"There have been many great NHL players who did not get the opportunities to win that I had. I played for a long time but it went by so very fast."

Lemieux won four Stanley Cups (Montreal 1986; New Jersey 1995, 2000; Colorado 1996), one of only eight players to win the prize with three different teams.

The Canadians took Lemieux in the second round of the 1983 draft. He scored 379 goals in his career, which included a stop in Phoenix. He had 80 playoff goals and competed in 234 playoff games, fifth all-time.

Lemieux, who recently became an American citizen, was the MVP of the 1995 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Devils.

"Many people will think the main highlights of my career will be the Stanley Cups, the Conn Smythe Trophy and Canada Cup," said Lemieux, of Buckingham, Quebec. "But to me and my family, coming back and playing in my first game in San Jose (last season) will be remembered as one the great highlights of my career."

[Goodfellas]

With Saku Koivu now a Duck, general manager Lou Lamoriello's options for adding an offensive center are dwindling. It seems more and more likely that his pronouncement of only adding "role players" to his roster actually will be the case. Former Devil Brendan Morrison is one offensive center still available on the unrestricted market.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07092009/sports/devils/devils_center_attention_on_morrison_178369.htm)

[Goodfellas]

After muscling up with miscreants, the Maple Leafs' next move may be to add a free-agent, penalty-killing forward. And there are still some decently skilled free-agent forwards such as Jason Williams and Ales Kotalik available more than a week after the market opened, so Brian Burke still has the opportunity to bring in more useful players without giving up assets.
Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/663166)

[Goodfellas]

Things could change prior to Aug. 15, the date Brock Bradford can become an unrestricted free agent. But as of now, Bradford will most likely not sign with the Bruins, who own the former Boston College captain's draft rights. "Right now, it's not looking like we'll sign him," said Don Sweeney, director of hockey operations and player development. Bradford, Boston's seventh-round pick in 2005, scored 25 goals and 17 assists in his senior season at BC.
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/)

[Goodfellas]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) have agreed to terms with forward Ales Kotalik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2889) on a three-year, $9 million deal.
Kotalik had 20 goals and 43 points in 75 games with the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) and Edmonton Oilers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/oilers) last season, the fourth time in six seasons he reached the 20-goal mark. The right winger shares the NHL career record with Slava Kozlov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/699) by scoring 11 deciding shootout goals. Kotalik has connected 20 times in 38 career shootout attempts.

In 445 regular-season NHL games, Kotalik has 121 goals and 130 assists. Last season, Kotalik led the NHL with five deciding goals in shootouts and scored eight times overall in the tiebreaker. He was traded by Buffalo to Edmonton at the March 4 deadline

[Goodfellas]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning) signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a standard, three-year rookie contract on Thursday.

Hedman was the second overall pick in June's entry draft. He was rated as the top European player and one of the top two players overall available in the draft by NHL Central Scouting.

Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton said in a statement that the team was happy to get Hedman signed so that the rookie could focus on his development.

Hedman spent the 2008-09 season with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League.

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- Jiri Hudler (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3174)'s days in Detroit are over -- at least for now.

Hudler's contract with Dynamo Moscow was filed Thursday with the Continental Hockey League (KHL), according to a league spokesman, meaning he will play next season in the same league as former star Sergei Federov.

"It's a testament to the perception that players have of the KHL as a viable option, from both a competitive and a career growth standpoint -- not to mention from a financial standpoint," said Shawn McBride, the KHL's North American spokesman.

Hudler's two-year deal could be worth up to $5 m the Detroit Free Press. Hudler made $1.15 million with the Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) last season and he reportedly turned down a Red Wings offer of $3 million for up to five years.

[Goodfellas]

The Penguins might be close to signing a defenseman, one of the final missing pieces for their roster. Jay McKee, an unrestricted free agent who spent the past three seasons with St. Louis, is likely to decide in the next few days where he will spend the 2009-10 season, and that could be with the Penguins, his agent, Pat Morris, said yesterday.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09191/982967-61.stm)

[Goodfellas]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Once an NHL iron man, Brendan Morrison (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1704) has been left at the curb by three teams in less than 15 months because of injuries. The Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) believe he's healthy and ready to be productive again, enough to give a one-year, $1.5 million deal to take the role of second-line center.

The Capitals signed Morrison on Friday, filling the void left when Sergei Fedorov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/33) departed to play in Russia at the end of the season.
"If I can get my game back in order and play the way I'm capable of playing, then that's the role I want," Morrison said, "and the role I expect myself to fill."

Morrison, who turns 34 next month, has played 12 seasons with Dallas, Anaheim, Vancouver and New Jersey. He has 175 goals and 330 assists in 755 career games, with career highs in goals (25) and assists (46) in 2002-03 with the Canucks.

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The Canadiens have signed free agent Paul Mara (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1801) to a one-year contract, adding size and experience to their group of defensemen.

The 29-year-old Mara had five goals and 16 assists in 76 games with the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) last season. He has 63 career goals for the Rangers, Tampa Bay, Phoenix and Boston.

Montreal general manager Bob Gainey has remade virtually the entire core of his team when he signed forwards Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2144) and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1783) to multiyear deals on July 1, one day after acquiring center Scott Gomez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1844) in a trade with the Rangers.

He did not re-sign any of the team's unrestricted free agents, including forwards Saku Koivu (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1341), Alex Kovalev and Alex Tanguay (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1763) and defensemen Mike Komisarek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2843) and Mathieu Schneider (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/448).

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) have signed Swedish forward Rickard Wallin to a one-year contract.

Team president and general manager Brian Burke announced the deal on Friday.

The 29-year-old played 55 games last season for Farjestads in the Swedish Elite League, where he tied for the team lead in goals with 18, while adding 27 assists.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder was originally selected by Phoenix in the sixth round (160th overall) in the 1998 draft, but was traded to Minnesota in June 2000.

In 19 career NHL games from 2002 to 2004 with the Wild, he registered six goals and four assists.
Wallin won a bronze medal with Sweden at this year's world championships in Switzerland

[Goodfellas]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Devils (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/devils) have acquired forward Tim Sestito (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4037) from Edmonton in exchange for a 2010 conditional draft pick and signed free agent goaltender Yann Danis (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3569).

The team announced both deals on Friday without providing details.
The 24-year-old Sestito made his NHL debut with the Oilers last season, playing in one game and recording a shot on goal. He spent most of the season with Springfield of the AHL.

Danis spent last season with the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders) organization and appeared in an NHL career-high 31 games, posting a 10-17-3 mark and leading the team with two shutouts. The 28-year-old had a .910 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average.
Previously, Danis had spent four-plus seasons with the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens)' organization

[Goodfellas]

The Colorado Avalanche (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/avalanche) have signed defenseman Kyle Cumiskey (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4067) and forward Justin Mercier to contracts.

The 22-year-old Cumiskey was Colorado's ninth selection (seventh round, 222nd overall) in the 2005 NHL draft. He skated in six games with the Avalanche last season before a season-ending shoulder injury Jan. 29.

Cumiskey played in 28 games for the Lake Erie Monsters, where he totaled 17 points. He has skated in 53 career NHL games, scoring seven points.

Mercier spent the last four seasons at Miami (Ohio) University, where he helped lead the RedHawks to the 2009 NCAA championship game with 29 points in 40 games as a senior. The 22-year-old Mercier was Colorado's eighth selection (sixth round, 168th overall) in the 2005 draft

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) have signed defenseman Jay McKee (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1446) to a one-year contract.

The team announced the move Friday. McKee had one goal and seven assists and 44 penalty minutes for the St. Louis Blues in 69 games last season.

The 31-year-old 6-foot-4, 203-pound defenseman has played parts of 13 seasons in the NHL with the Blues and the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres).
McKee has played 740 games in the NHL, with 20 goals, 95 assists and 568 penalty minutes.

[Goodfellas]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning) have signed free agent goalie Antero Niittymaki (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2646) to be the backup to starter Mike Smith (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3231).
Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said Friday's signing accomplished an offseason priority of adding an experienced backup goalie.

Niittymaki has played in 161 career NHL games, all with the Philadelphia Flyers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flyers), and has a 62-61-23 record. He appeared in 32 games with Philadelphia during the 2008-09 season, going 15-8-6.
Smith missed the final two months last season due to post concussion syndrome. The Lightning have said Smith will be ready for the start of training camp in September.

[Goodfellas]

One player who could be signed by the Devils is Brendan Shanahan, an unrestricted free agent. "That's still something that is a possibility," Lou Lamoriello said. "Brendan, I thought, did a great job for us last year. We have spoken and will continue to speak."
Newark Star-Ledger (http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2009/07/gm_lou_lamoriello_says_new_jer.html)

[Goodfellas]

The Red Wings hope red tape can stop Jiri Hudler from going to Russia, as the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation have gotten involved in the mess. Hudler, 25, signed a two-year, $10-million (tax-exempt) deal with Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League this week. However, because he filed for arbitration with the NHL last past weekend -- which, essentially, sets a contract in motion -- the league contends he is contractually obligated to play for Detroit and that Dynamo has poached a signed player.
Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20090710/SPORTS05/90710067/1048/SPORTS/NHL--IIHF-contest-Jiri-Hudler-s-Russian-deal)

[Goodfellas]

Alex Kovalev and Dany Heatley playing together with the Ottawa Senators? It's possible, Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said. "Yes, absolutely," Melnyk said, when asked about that possibility during an interview on CFRA. "We're not far off (above the salary cap). We've traded (Alex) Auld away and that saved us $1 million, and I think we're about $1.5 million over the salary cap of ($56.8 million). We're fine." Melnyk cautioned, however, that countless issues would have to be ironed out before Heatley would be accepted back, owing to the fact that he requested a trade away from the club, apparently because of conflicts with coach Cory Clouston.
Ottawa Citizen (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/ottawa-senators/Heatley+return+doable+Melnyk/1776839/story.html)

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -Forward Kyle Chipchura has signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

Saturday's move comes a day after the Canadiens announced a three-year deal for forward Travis Moen and a one-year contract for free-agent defenseman Paul Mara.

The 6-foot-2, 204-pound Chipchura had three assists and five penalty minutes in 13 regular-season games.

He had 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) with 65 penalty minutes and a plus-28 rating in 51 games with Montreal's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Chipchura was selected by the Canadiens in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2004 draft

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Lawyers for Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) coach Wayne Gretzky are trying to keep his personal finances out of the NHL team's bankruptcy case.

Responding to a motion by the City of Glendale to review Gretzky's income tax returns, Gretzky's attorneys argue that he is a California resident and is entitled to that state's privacy protections. They also say his personal finances aren't relevant to the complicated legal battle over the team's sale.

Glendale "has not demonstrated and cannot demonstrate that its need for disclosure of Mr. Gretzky's personal financial information outweighs any privacy claim by Mr. Gretzky in such information," according to a filing by Gretzky's lawyers.

"Mr. Gretzky is a public figure; in fact, he is one of the most recognizable sports figures in the history of the United States, and the most recognized hockey player in the history of the National Hockey League," the filing says. "Mr. Gretzky has a clear interest in maintaining the privacy of his financial records, and his privacy interest is one that outweighs (Glendale's) need for disclosure of Mr. Gretzky's personal tax records."

Court documents have shown Gretzky is paid about $7 million a year.

Gretzky has been viewed as the face of the Coyotes, but he has kept a low profile since owner Jerry Moyes filed for bankruptcy on May 5.
Gretzky's attorneys say he "would not object in principle to producing non-private, non-privileged documents and appearing for an examination

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Jerry Reinsdorf and his partners won't be subjected to questioning by attorneys for team owner Jerry Moyes as they work to put together a bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected Monday a request by Moyes to have Reinsdorf and several others in the potential ownership group give depositions before the July 24 deadline for submitting their bid.
However, the NHL reached an agreement with Moyes' attorneys to have commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly give depositions July 22 and 23 in New York.

NHL attorney Alan Mada said the league preferred to wait until after any bid is submitted but agreed to the earlier questioning "in the spirit of cooperation."

[Goodfellas]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) have traded Finnish left winger Lauri Korpikoski (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3656) to the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) for Russian right winger Enver Lisin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3929).

The deal was announced Monday in Glendale, where the Coyotes are being funded by the NHL while a U.S. Bankruptcy Court determines who will own the team.

Korpikoski, 22, played in 68 games as a rookie for the Rangers last season and had six goals and eight assists. He added two assists in New York's seven-game loss to Washington in the first round of the playoffs.

Korpikoski was New York's first-round draft pick in 2004, the 19th choice overall.

Lisin, 23, was a third-round pick of the Coyotes in 2004. He had 13 goals and eight assists in 48 games with Phoenix last season.

[Goodfellas]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Defenseman James Wisniewski (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3571) has signed a one-year deal to stay with the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks).

Wisniewski, who reached agreement with the team on Monday, was acquired by the Ducks from Chicago in a four-player trade in March.
The 25-year old Wisniewski had three goals and a career-high 21 assists in 48 games last season with Anaheim and Chicago. He added a goal and two assists in 12 games during the Ducks' playoff run to the second round.

[Goodfellas]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Restricted free agent Boyd Gordon (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3170) has signed a one-year, $761,000 contract to remain with the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals).

The 25-year-old forward had five goals and nine assists in 63 games last season. He was third on the team with a 56.1 percent faceoff percentage and was a regular member of the penalty killing unit.
Gordon was a first-round choice in 2002 and made his Capitals debut during the 2003-04 season. He has played in 267 career games for Washington, scoring 20 goals with 46 assists

[Goodfellas]

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) are bringing back forward Ryan Callahan (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3886), coming to terms with the restricted free agent on a multiyear deal.

The deal was announced Monday by the Rangers, who were scheduled to have an arbitration hearing with Callahan on July 23.
The 24-year-old right winger set career highs with 22 goals, 40 points and 81 games played last season.

Callahan ranked second on the team with a career-high 237 shots, first with a plus-seven rating and fourth in goals. He was tops on the Rangers and fourth in the NHL with 256 hits.

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) have agreed to a three-year deal with right wing Tom Kostopoulos (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2067).

The deal, announced Tuesday, is worth more than $2.7 million.
The 30-year-old will make $700,000 next season, $950,000 the following year and $1.1 million in the final year of the deal.

Carolina president and general manager Jim Rutherford says Kostopoulos brings grit to the lineup and can help on the penalty kill. The 6-foot, 200-pound winger will also bring some size, an area of need for the Eastern Conference finalist this offseason.

Kostopoulos has played seven NHL seasons, finishing with eight goals and 14 assists in 78 games with Montreal last year.

[Goodfellas]

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- John Tavares signed a three-year entry level contract with the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders), who took the 19-year-old standout first overall in last month's NHL draft.

The Islanders announced the signing in a statement on Wednesday.
"It's an exciting time for the Islanders organization as we develop our young talent into a contender," general manager Garth Snow said. "John provides another important piece to help us achieve our ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup."

The high-scoring center had 215 goals and 218 assists over four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, his goal total breaking the 33-year-old record held by Peter Lee. Tavares led the OHL in goals (58) and points (104) last season, splitting time between Oshawa and London.

He was the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year for 2007, after breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for goals in a season with 72.
"I look forward to joining the Islanders and be part of a team that's ultimate goal is to bring the Stanley Cup back to Long Island," Tavares said.

Tavares won back-to-back gold medals for Canada at the World Junior Championships, and was chosen tournament MVP in 2009 after finishing with eight goals and seven assists. His record-tying 12 career goals in the tournament tied him with fellow Canadians Eric Lindros and Jeff Carter (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3349).

Tavares is the fourth No. 1 overall pick for the Islanders, joining goaltender Rick DiPietro (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2414) in 2000, Billy Harris in 1974 and Denis Potvin in 1973.

The small-budget team, coming off the worst record in the league, has high expectations for Tavares, who was introduced to several hundred fans at Nassau Coliseum last week.

They're hoping Tavares and young players Kyle Okposo (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3988) and Josh Bailey (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4482) can help return the Islanders to the success of the glory years in the early 1980s, when the team won four straight Stanley Cup titles. They haven't made the playoffs since 2004, and the franchise hasn't won a postseason series in 16 years.

Only the Colorado Avalanche (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/avalanche) finished last season with fewer goals than the 201 scored by the Islanders, who posted an NHL-worst 61 points (26-47-9).

[Goodfellas]

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks) have signed center Scott Nichol (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1448), adding veteran depth to their changing lineup.
Nichol spent the past four seasons with the Nashville Predators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/predators), scoring 10 points in 43 games last season while missing extensive playing time with a concussion. The 34-year-old agitator is entering his eighth full NHL season, previously playing with Buffalo, Calgary and Chicago.

Nichol is likely to play on the Sharks' fourth line in place of center Marcel Goc (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2856), who won't be re-signed by the Sharks. San Jose also expects to part ways with forwards Mike Grier (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1465), Lukas Kaspar (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3659), Tomas Plihal (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3006) and Claude Lemieux (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/334).

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- The NHL and NBC have agreed to a two-year extension of their television contract that will keep the league on the network from the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park through the end of the 2010-11 season.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement on Wednesday at the home of the Boston Red Sox, where the Bruins will play the Philadelphia Flyers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flyers) in the annual outdoor game that has become a New Year's Day tradition since it started in 2008.

Bettman said the deal was "basically" the same as the previous agreement, which started in January 2006 and called for the league and the network to share revenue. NBC said it would broadcast up to five games of the Stanley Cup finals.

"We are both very happy with the relationship we have," Bettman said. "We're delighted with the coverage NBC has given us, and we know that NBC is happy to have us in their stable of sports properties."

NBC reached several milestones under the agreement: Last winter's outdoor game at Wrigley Field was the most-watched regular-season NHL game in 34 years, and Game 7 of this year's Stanley Cup finals was the most-watched game overall in 36 years. NBC Sports also received a Sports Emmy for its promotion of the 2009 Winter Classic.

"We're thrilled to be able to continue our relationship with the NHL and build on all the positive momentum on and off the ice," NBC Sports president Ken Schanzer said. "Together, we have attained viewership milestones not seen in more than three decades. And the Winter Classic, in just two years, has become one of the highlights of the sports calendar."

The league and the network first reached an agreement on a rights deal, in which NBC would pay no fees for the broadcasting rights but instead share advertising revenues, in 2004 -- just in time for the lockout that canceled the 2004-05 season. It was eventually launched in January 2006 and extended in '07 and '08.

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens) have signed forward Guillaume Latendresse (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3823) and defenseman Shawn Belle (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3367) to one-year deals Wednesday.

Latendresse had 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 56 games with Montreal last season.

It will be Latendresse's fourth season with the Habs. He has 82 points (46 goals, 36 assists) with 133 penalty minutes in 209 regular-season games with Montreal.

Belle had 13 points last season with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, where he had a plus-19 rating and 93 penalty minutes in 60 games.
The 6-1, 235-pound defenseman was acquired by the Canadiens from the Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild) for Corey Locke (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3683) in July 2008. He has played in nine career NHL games, all with Minnesota in 2006-07.

[Goodfellas]

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Thrashers say they have have re-signed Kari Lehtonen (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3080), the team's career leader among goalies in games played, wins and shutouts.

Terms of the deal for the restricted free agent were not disclosed. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell announced the signing on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Lehtonen went 19-22-3 last season with three shutouts, a 3.06 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage in 46 games. Lehtonen was selected by the Thrashers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft.

Lehtonen has a 94-83-17 career NHL record with 14 shutouts, a 2.87 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 204 games with the Thrashers.

[Goodfellas]

DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/avalanche) have signed first-round draft choice Matt Duchene to a three-year contract.

The team announced the deal Thursday for the 18-year-old Duchene. He was the No. 3 overall pick and the Avalanche's highest selection since the franchise moved to Colorado in 1995.

He recently finished his second season with Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League, where he had 31 goals and 48 assists in 57 games

[Goodfellas]

OTTAWA (AP) -- The owner of the Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks) scored a victory in Canada's top court regarding his hold on the team.
The Supreme Court of Canada has sided with Francesco Aquilini, dismissing an appeal from two Vancouver businessmen.

Tom Gaglardi and Ryan Beedie wanted the court to overturn two provincial court rulings that rejected claims they should have been included in Aquilini's purchase of the NHL team.

British Columbia's supreme and appeal courts found Gaglardi and Beedie were no longer Aquilini's partners when he bought half the team in 2004 from Seattle businessman John McCaw in 2004. The purchase came days after negotiations for the team fell through with Gaglardi and Beedie

[Goodfellas]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Defenseman Jeff Schultz (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3665) signed a $715,000, one-year contract to stay with the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals).
The 23-year-old Schultz has played the past three seasons with the Capitals. He had one goal and 12 assists in 64 games last season, when Washington won its second consecutive Southeast Division title.

The 6-foot-6 Schultz was a first-round draft pick in 2004. He has six goals, 33 points and 65 penalty minutes in 174 career games with Washington.

[Goodfellas]

DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Avalanche (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/avalanche) have acquired defenseman Brian Fahey (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4525) from the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) in exchange for defenseman Nigel Williams (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4534).

The 28-year-old Fahey scored 24 points in 66 games with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack last season. He spent the 2007-08 season with the league's Chicago Wolves, where he helped lead the club to the Calder Cup title with 10 points in the postseason.

The Glenview, Ill., native was the 119th overall pick in the 2000 NHL draft. He played at Wisconsin, where he was picked for the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 1999-2000.

Williams was Colorado's second selection in 2006. He had 21 points in 70 games for the Lake Erie Monsters during last season.

[Goodfellas]

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Right wing Jed Ortmeyer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3398) is among five players who have agreed to one-year contracts with the San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks) on Thursday.

Ortmeyer spent the past two seasons in the Nashville Predators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/predators)' organization after three years with the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers). The defensive-minded forward played 51 games with Nashville in the 2007-08 season before injuring his knee and spending most of last season in the minors.

San Jose also re-signed right wing Ryan Vesce (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4013), who made his NHL debut with the Sharks last season. Vesce, who played 10 games with San Jose, led the Sharks' top minor-league affiliate with 71 points, including a 17-game scoring streak.

The Sharks also signed center Dwight Helminen (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3272) and defensemen Joe Callahan (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3102) and Danny Groulx

[Goodfellas]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Kings have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with restricted free agent defenseman Jack Johnson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3777).
The team announced the deal on Friday.

Johnson had six goals, five assists and 46 penalty minutes in 41 games last season. He missed the other 41 games with a shoulder injury that kept him out until January

[Goodfellas]

Rangers coach John Tortorella told The Post last week that Donald Brashear's attributes as an enforcer and teammate should trump issues from the past. "I don't agree at all with what happened with Blair Betts. We all know that was wrong," Tortorella said of the blind-side hit to the head from the then-Washington winger that concussed the now former Rangers center and broke his orbital bone. "But . . . but . . . you also have to understand the situation that we're in now where we're looking to make changes on the hockey club and believe that Donald has a unique presence that will help us."
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/07192009/sports/rangers/torts_advice_to_rangers_who_have_problem_180049.ht m)

[Goodfellas]

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/thrashers) have signed first-round pick Evander Kane to a multiyear deal

The team did not include financial terms of the deal Monday with the 17-year-old forward. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Kane had 48 goals and 48 assists in 61 games for his junior team, the Vancouver Giants.

He was picked fourth overall.

Kane had two goals and four assists in six games to help Canada win the 2009 world junior hockey championship.

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens)' offseason makeover took another step with the signing of goalie Curtis Sanford (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3216) to a one-year contract.

The Canadiens announced the deal Monday.

Sanford, 29, went 11-11-1 last season with a 2.69 goals against average for the Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks). He had one shutout in 35 regular-season games.

Sanford posted a 7-3-3 mark with a 1.73 GAA and two shutouts in 16 games with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.

In 108 career NHL regular-season games, Sanford is 37-37-16 with a 2.76 GAA during stints with Vancouver and St. Louis.

Sanford is the latest addition to the revamped Canadiens, who have traded for center Scott Gomez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1844), and added forwards Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2144), and defensemen Jaroslav Spacek (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1783) and Hall Gill in free agency

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) have signed defenseman Matt Hunwick (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4270) to a multiyear contract extension.

Hunwick scored six goals with 21 assists as a rookie last season. The 27 points placed him third among Bruins defensemen.
He played in one postseason game before having his spleen removed and missing the rest of the playoffs.

Hunwick, 24, was a seventh-round draft pick in 2004 and played four years of college hockey at Michigan.

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) defenseman Matt Hunwick (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4270) has a new deal with the team, and that's what he wanted all along.

"That was the No. 1 goal," Hunwick said in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. "I told my agent, 'Boston's where I want to be.' It never would have crossed my mind as far as going somewhere else."

The two sides avoided arbitration on Monday when they reached an agreement for a reported two years and $2.9 million. General manager Peter Chiarelli said the team was nearly at the salary cap, though he is still trying to sign restricted free agent Phil Kessel (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3983) to an extension.

"We are at a point where, cap-wise, we are coming close to the end. So there would have to be some shuffling, but I'm not averse to that," Chiarelli said. "He's a talented player, a young player. We all like Phil, and we'd like to have him back

[Goodfellas]

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- The Edmonton Oilers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/oilers) have bolstered their defense by re-signing defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3128) to a one-year contract Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Grebeshkov had seven goals, 32 assists and 38 penalty minutes in 72 games last season -- all career highs. He also led the Oilers with a plus-minus differential of plus-12.
The 6-foot, 209-pound native of Yaroslavl, Russia, has played 176 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/kings), New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders) and Oilers, recording 63 points (10 goals, 53 assists) and 80 penalty minutes.

Grebeshkov has represented Russia at three world hockey championships (2007, 2008 and 2009), helping his country win consecutive gold medals in 2008 and 2009

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens) have avoided salary arbitration with center Tomas Plekanec (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3005), signing him to a one-year contract worth $2.75 million.

The 26-year-old Plekanec is coming off his fifth season with the Canadiens. He posted his third consecutive 20-goal campaign (20 goals, 19 assists) and was one of only three Habs players not to miss a game because of injury last season.

The Czech, a third-round pick in the 2001 draft, has 184 points (78 goals, 106 assists) and a plus-20 rating in 311 regular-season games since 2003-04

[Goodfellas]

OTTAWA (AP) -- Now that the Ottawa Senators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/senators) have signed Alex Kovalev, general manager Bryan Murray wants to focus on bringing back disgruntled star Dany Heatley (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2415).

"We can fit both of those guys on our team very nicely, maybe one on left and one on right wing," Murray said after presenting Kovalev with the No. 27 shirt during an news conference at Scotiabank Place.
The Senators signed the 36-year-old Russian to a $10-million, two-year deal on July 6.

They've been at a standstill with Heatley ever since the left-winger asked for a trade during the Stanley Cup final, citing his unhappiness with diminished ice time and his role with the team since Cory Clouston took over as coach in February after Craig Hartsburg was fired.

Heatley, who holds a no-trade agreement, and agents Stacey McAlpine and J.P. Barry vetoed a deal earlier this month that would have sent him to the Edmonton Oilers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/oilers) in exchange for forwards Andrew Cogliano (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3802) and Dustin Penner (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3587) and defenseman Ladislav Smid (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3645).

[Goodfellas]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Center Travis Zajac (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3657) avoided salary arbitration and signed a multiyear contract with the New Jersey Devils (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/devils).
"During his previous three seasons in the National Hockey League, Travis Zajac has proven to be among the top young players in the game, and has developed into one of the core players on our team," Devils chief executive Lou Lamoriello said in announcing the signing on Wednesday.

Zajac, 24, had career highs with 20 goals and 42 assists last season, and a team-leading plus-33 mark. He played in all 82 games for the second straight season, adding a goal and three assists in the postseason.

Zajac, whose arbitration was to start later this week, has 51 goals and 87 assists in three seasons

[Goodfellas]

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blackhawks) say recently signed winger Marian Hossa (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1640) is rehabilitating a shoulder injury he suffered during the Stanley Cup playoffs while with Detroit.

The injury was first reported by the Daily Herald newspaper in suburban Arlington Heights. The extent of the injury was not disclosed by the team.

Team spokesman Brandon Faber said Wednesday that team doctors are "monitoring" the injury.

A five-time All-Star, Hossa signed a 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the Blackhawks on July 1 after helping the Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) reach the Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to Pittsburgh. He led Detroit with 40 goals last season and was third with 71 points.

Hossa's arrival coincided with the departure of Blackhawks forward Martin Havlat (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2124), who signed with Minnesota. The Blackhawks hope Hossa will give even more punch to a team that reached the Western Conference finals last season.

[Goodfellas]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Less than 24 hours before they were to go to arbitration, the Columbus Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) and defenseman Marc Methot (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3526) have agreed on a two-year contract.

Methot and the club were scheduled to go before an arbitrator on Thursday. They reached agreement on Wednesday afternoon, with general manager Scott Howson making the announcement but not disclosing terms.

The 24-year-old Methot developed into one of the Jackets' top defensemen last season while scoring four goals and adding 13 assists with a plus 7 rating in 66 games.

He had spent most of the previous three seasons with Columbus' American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse, N.Y.

[Goodfellas]

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- The Edmonton Oilers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/oilers) have bolstered their defense by re-signing defenseman Denis Grebeshkov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3128) to a one-year contract Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Grebeshkov had seven goals, 32 assists and 38 penalty minutes in 72 games last season -- all career highs. He also led the Oilers with a plus-minus differential of plus-12.

The 6-foot, 209-pound native of Yaroslavl, Russia, has played 176 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/kings), New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders) and Oilers, recording 63 points (10 goals, 53 assists) and 80 penalty minutes.

Grebeshkov has represented Russia at three world hockey championships (2007, 2008 and 2009), helping his country win consecutive gold medals in 2008 and 2009

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) have locked up Tuomo Ruutu (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2845) for three seasons.

The Hurricanes said Thursday that they avoided arbitration with the physical forward by signing him to a deal worth $11.4 million.
The 26-year-old Ruutu is coming off a regular season in which he had career highs with 26 goals, 28 assists and 54 points, then added a goal and three assists during the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference finals.

Ruutu will make $3 million this season, $4 million in 2010-11 and $4.4 million in 2011-12. He made $2.25 million last season.
General manager Jim Rutherford calls Ruutu "one of the cornerstones of our team moving forward

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- Former Philadelphia Flyers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flyers) captain Dave Poulin has joined the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) front office.

Poulin was unveiled Thursday as the club's new vice president of hockey operations.

Best known for his days with the Flyers, where he captained the team from 1984-90, Poulin played 12 seasons in the NHL with Philadelphia, the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) and Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) before retiring after the 1994-95 season.

He played 724 career NHL games, with 205 goals and 325 assists. Poulin retuned to Notre Dame after his retirement, coaching his alma mater to the NCAA tournament.

Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) general manager Brian Burke said that Poulin had helped him in a scouting capacity for parts of the past two seasons.

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- This ought to make the Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes)' training camp worth watching: Aaron Ward (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/539) skating with the player who decked him during the playoffs.

The Hurricanes on Friday reacquired the rugged defenseman who helped them win the 2006 Stanley Cup from the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) for forward Patrick Eaves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3366) and a fourth-round draft pick next year.
The move makes teammates of Ward and Scott Walker (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1270), the player who infamously punched him during the Eastern Conference semifinals. Walker decked Ward late during Game 5 of the series won by Carolin coach Claude Julien called the blow a "sucker punch, but two months later, the quick-witted Ward laughed about the incident while attempting to defuse the situation.

"Tell him I still have practice -- I'll get him back at practice," Ward said with a smile. "It's water under the bridge. I'm on his team now.

... There's a lot of emotion in the playoffs, both in the media and playing the game. ... I'll see Scott Walker when he comes in, shake his hand, tell him how grateful I am to be here, how excited I am to play with him, and it'll be past."

[Goodfellas]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) forward Daniel Winnik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3867) was awarded a one-year contract following of an arbitration hearing.
Terms of the deal were not released Friday.

The 24-year-old left winger had three goals and four assists in 49 games with the Coyotes last season.

As a rookie with Phoenix in 2007-08, Winnik had 11 goals and 15 assists in 79 games.

Winnik, who played at the University of New Hampshire, was a ninth-round draft pick of the Coyotes in 2004

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- A group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf submitted a bid by Friday's deadline to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes), and an offer by a second bidder was promised.

Reinsdorf's offer to buy the team for about $148 million was expected. Another group of investors headed by Canadian-born businessman Daryl Jones submitted a letter of intent to submit by Aug. 5, the date set for sale of the team.

Both offers would keep the team in Glendale, where the Coyotes have lost tens of millions of dollars in recent seasons.
Thomas Salerno, attorney for Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes, confirmed that the bid and letter were submitted.

Redfield T. Baum, chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix, had set Friday as the deadline for submitting bids that would keep the team in Glendale.

If no bid is deemed acceptable, the court will shift to a second timeline for bids to relocate the team. That would reopen the door for Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who has offered $212.5 million to buy the team, contingent on moving the franchise to Hamilton, Ontario.

Details of the bid were not known because the court filings had not been made public. Reinsdorf, owner of baseball's Chicago White Sox and the NBA's Chicago Bulls, is part of a group of investors who have been negotiating with the city of Glendale to rework the lease agreement to play in Jobing.com Arena.

The NHL wants to keep the team in Arizona and believes the franchise can be successful with better management and a better product on the ice.

Nearly 500 documents have been filed in the complex case since Moyes surprised the NHL by taking the team into Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 5. Moyes lists himself as the lead debtor, saying he is owed $300 million. Under the Balsillie deal, Moyes would get about $100 million.

But under the Reinsdorf proposal, Moyes would get little if anything because of the contention that the $300 million is lost equity and not a debt. That battle is expected to be waged in court filings next week with the deadline for objections next Friday.

Jones, a Connecticut-based investor, heads a group of Canadian and American business people that have expressed increased interest in the team in recent weeks. But since it got a late start in investigating the deal, the group is not ready to submit a formal bid, Jones said in his letter.

It is not clear whether Baum will allow a later bid, although he has indicated in court that his rules would be flexible if a better offer was to come in late.

Balsillie contends he still wants the team to play in Hamilton in the coming season. The NHL, which is funding the franchise while the ownership issue is worked out, says that would be impossible.
The team released its regular-season schedule last week

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- Derek Morris (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1645) is the newest member of the Bruins, joining them one day after Boston traded another veteran defenseman, Aaron Ward (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/539).

The Bruins announced Saturday that the free agent, who finished last season with the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers), had signed a one-year contract. Boston dealt Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) on Friday.
Morris, 30, spent the first five of his 11 NHL seasons with Calgary, then played nearly two full seasons with Colorado before going to Phoenix late in the 2003-04 season. The Coyotes traded him to the Rangers late last season.

The 6-foot, 220-pound Morris is a better offensive defenseman and more durable than Ward. In 793 regular-season NHL games, Morris has 76 goals and 264 assists.

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) have acquired center Wayne Primeau (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1287) from the Calgary Flames (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flames) for defenseman Anton Stralman (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4174) and forward Colin Stuart (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3602).

The Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) will also receive a second-round draft pick in 2011, and Calgary will get a 2012 seventh-round pick in the deal announced Monday.
Primeau, 33, had four assists in 24 games with the Flames last season. He missed 58 regular-season games and the playoffs due to a foot injury.

Stralman recorded one goal and 12 assists with the Leafs in 38 games.
Stuart, 27, was originally acquired by Toronto in a trade with Atlanta on July 1. He scored five goals and added three assists in 33 games with the Thrashers last season.

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) have signed free-agent defenseman Andy Delmore to a one-year contract.

The team announced the deal Tuesday but did not disclose terms.
The 32-year-old native of LaSalle, Ontario, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Hamburg Freezers in Germany. He previously played with Philadelphia, Nashville, Buffalo and Columbus.

Delmore has 101 points and 105 penalty minutes in 283 career NHL games. He won the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League's best defenseman while playing for Syracuse in the 2005-2006 season

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) are parting ways with the player who scored the goal that won them the Stanley Cup in 2006.
The Hurricanes said Tuesday they have bought out the remaining year on the contract of defenseman Frantisek Kaberle (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1916), who would have made $2.2 million. Kaberle will now collect almost $1.5 million over the next two seasons.

The 35-year-old Kaberle had the winning goal in Game 7 of the Cup finals against Edmonton in 2006. He had nine goals and 73 assists with Carolina from 2005-2009.

Kaberle had been the subject of trade rumors and was placed on waivers last season. His exit comes after the Hurricanes reshaped their defense by signing Andrew Alberts (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3240) to a two-year deal and re-acquiring Aaron Ward (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/539) from Boston

[Goodfellas]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Longtime NHL stars Tony Amonte, Tom Barrasso and John LeClair, the 1998 women's Olympic team and the late Frank Zamboni are headed to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
Amonte scored the winner at 17:25 of the third period versus Canada in the deciding game of the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996. In 1,174 games over 15 years in the NHL, he recorded 416 goals and 484 assists.
Barrasso won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) and won 369 games in the regular season and 61 more in the playoffs.

LeClair was the first American-born player to record three consecutive 50-goal seasons in the NHL and finished his career with 406 goals and 413 assists in 967 games.

The '98 women's hockey team won gold at the Nagano Olympics, beating Canada 3-1 in the gold-medal game.

Zamboni, who originally owned a plant for manufacturing block ice, patented the world's first self-propelled ice resurfacing machine in 1949. They have since become standard at rinks around the world.

[Goodfellas]

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) -- Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) captain Sidney Crosby (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3737) is bringing the Stanley Cup to his hometown.
He'll arrive in Nova Scotia on Aug. 7, the day he celebrates his 22nd birthday.

Organizers of the event say Crosby will lead a parade through Cole Harbour to kick off the visit. A fan question-and-answer session is also planned with Crosby.

The Penguins won the Stanley Cup in a seven-game final against the Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings).

Organizers say they are also planning a hall of fame dedicated to Crosby that will include the famous dented clothes dryer the forward used as target practice in his parent's basement.

[Goodfellas]

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Bryce Lampman, who played last season with Amur Khabarovsk of Russia.
The 26-year-old Rochester, Minn., native has played in 10 NHL games, all with the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers), recording two penalty minutes. Lampman was originally drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round, 113th overall in the 2001 entry draft.

Terms were not disclosed Wednesday.

[Goodfellas]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Defenseman Milan Jurcina (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3214) has re-signed with the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) after being awarded a one-year $1.375 million contract through arbitration.

The deal was announced on Friday.

Jurcina played in 79 of 82 games last season, leading all Capitals defensemen. He had three goals, a career-high 11 assists and led the team with 131 blocked shots, earning him a raise from his $912,000 salary for 2008-09.

The 26-year-old Slovak was acquired by the Capitals from the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) in 2007. He has played in 275 NHL games -- 184 with Washington -- and has 14 career goals with 32 assists

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Free-agent center Cody McCormick (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3208) agreed to a one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) on Saturday.

The 26-year-old McCormick had a goal, 11 assists and 92 penalty minutes last season in 55 games for the Colorado Avalanche (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/avalanche). He has nine goals, 21 assists and 250 penalty minutes in 190 career NHL games, all with the Avalanche

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- An arbitrator has awarded Russia-bound forward Jiri Hudler (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3174) a two-year deal worth $5.75 million if he ever returns to play for the Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings).

Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) general manager Ken Holland said Monday the deal gives the 25-year-old Hudler $2.75 million in the first season and $3 million in the second.

Hudler recently signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League, where he will play next season.
The agreement maintains Detroit's rights to Hudler should he return from Russia. Hudler had 23 goals and 34 assists for the Red Wings last season.

[Goodfellas]

MONTREAL (AP) -- The agent for Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks) forward Alex Burrows (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3838) says his client in under investigation for an altercation that took place in a summer league hockey game.

Canadian television network RDS reported a complaint was filed July 21, stating Burrows hit goalie Koray Celik in the face with his stick during a game in suburban Kirkland, Quebec.

"There are no changes, the police are investigating, but we won't comment on what happened," Burrows' agent Paul Corbeil said. 'I don't think he'll he charged, but you never know."

The game took place in the Pond Hockey League, where pro and university players skate to stay in shape during the offseason. Celik, a 19-year-old goalie from Quebec plays for the University of Southern Maine.

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Veteran forward Mike Grier (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1465) has agreed to a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres).

The deal Monday brings Grier back to the team he played with from 2004-06. He was considered a leader on the Sabres club that reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2006.

The following summer, Grier rejected an offer to re-sign with the Sabres and joined the San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks).

The 34-year-old Detroit native has 345 points in 914 NHL games with Edmonton, Washington, Buffalo and San Jose.

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs) have traded goaltender Justin Pogge (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3854) to the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) for a conditional draft pick in 2011.
Pogge had one win and a 4.35 goals-against average in seven appearances with the Leafs last season.

He spent most of the season with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies, where he had 26 wins and a 2.70 GAA in 53 games.

Drafted 90th overall by the Leafs in 2004, the 23-year-old was once expected to be Toronto's future netminder, but the Leafs signed Swedish free agent Jonas Gustavsson in July.

[Goodfellas]

MOSCOW (AP) -- Prosecutors will reopen the investigation into the death of New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) draft pick Alexia Cherepanov, who collapsed during a Continental Hockey League game last year in Russia.

The federal prosecutor's Investigative Committee ruled last month that team doctors were not to blame for Cherepanov's death and would face no criminal charges. Investigators said doctors with Siberian team Avangard Omsk had no reason to suspect the 19-year-old suffered from a chronic heart problem and therefore did not prescribe the medicine he was taking.

But the committee on Monday reopened the case and ordered that new medical tests be carried out in a federal center for forensic medicine.
Cherepanov, a first-round pick in 2007, died after collapsing on the bench during an Oct. 13 game in Chekhov, a town outside Moscow. Authorities say an autopsy showed he suffered from myocarditis, a condition that obstructs blood flow to the heart and other organs.

The investigators' initial conclusion seemed to lay more blame on Cherepanov than anyone else. They said Cherepanov most likely felt unwell but hid his condition from team doctors for fear of being pulled from games.

Cherepanov's mother, Margarita, rejected the conclusions, and insisted that her son was healthy.

In December, the Investigative Committee said medical experts had concluded from analysis of blood and urine samples that Cherepanov "engaged in doping" for several months before his death.

But in their July ruling investigators said he had been taking cordiaminum, which apparently stimulates circulation and breathing as well as the central nervous system, suggesting he may have been taking it to treat his condition.

Avangard's president, general manager and a team doctor were suspended indefinitely from positions in the league, and another Avangard doctor was suspended for two years.

The president of the host club, Vityaz, also was suspended indefinitely amid complaints about medical services at the arena.

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- A group headed by Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has taken a significant step in its bid to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes), reaching an agreement in principal with the NHL team's largest secured creditor.

Steven Abramowitz, attorney for SOF Investments, announced the agreement at a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday. He said the deal included a "substantial pay-down" of the $80 million SOF was owed, with the rest rolled over into an ongoing debt.

Abramowitz urged the court to "do anything it can" to keep Reinsdorf's bid alive.

SOF Investments had previously declined to back the Reinsdorf bid, saying it supported the proposal by Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who has offered $212.5 million, contingent on moving the team to Hamilton, Ontario.

SOF would get all $80 million under Balsillie's bid.

Outside the courtroom, Abramowitz declined to say whether the company still supported Balsillie's offer, as well.

Balsillie's representative Richard Rodier said Abramowitz's announcement came as a surprise in the long, twisted bankruptcy process.

Judge Redfield T. Baum scheduled Tuesday's hearing to sort out the remaining issues in the complex case. He set a hearing for Sept. 2 on several matters, most importantly whether the court should overrule the NHL owners' overwhelming rejection of Balsillie as an owner.

Baum ordered a stop to any attempt made by Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes or Balsillie to get confidential information on the applications of the Reinsdorf group and the other potential buyer, Ice Edge, from the NHL. He also said no depositions of those involved in either potential bid would be permitted.

Moyes and Balsillie sought the information because they wanted to see if Reinsdorf was treated differently in his application than Balsillie. The NHL board of governors rejected Balsillie's bid to become an owner by a 26-0 vote on grounds he was untrustworthy.

Earlier in the hearing, the Reinsdorf group's attorney Alan Klein said by telephone that his clients were fed up with the meddling and interfering as they attempted to work out the details of their offer. Klein said confidential information already had been made public by Moyes' attorneys, who said it was a mistake and have apologized.

Balsillie wants to move the team immediately if his bid is successful, something the NHL contends can't be done.

Auction of the team is set for Sept. 10, two days before the start of training camp and four days before the Coyotes play their first exhibition game. The NHL wants the judge to rule that the team will play next season in Arizona.

Reinsdorf's group still faces major hurdles, including reworking a lease agreement with the city of Glendale and persuading the judge that the bid is acceptable, even though the $148 million offer is much smaller than Balsillie's bid.

Baum delayed action on the relocation issue until he rules on whether Balsillie can buy the team over the league's objections.

[Goodfellas]

defenseman Ladislav Smid (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3645) to a two-year contract on Wednesday, and agreed to one-year, two-way deals with forwards Gilbert Brule (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3783) and Ryan Stone (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3370).

Smid, 23, set career highs in assists and points with 11 last season. He had no goals and 57 penalty minutes in 60 games.

"I'm very pleased to have Ladislav signed," Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said in a statement. "He's a very competitive young defenseman that has the ability to contribute in all situations."

Smid has played in 202 career NHL games, all with the Oilers, recording three goals, 22 assists and 152 penalty minutes.

Smid was obtained from the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) with Joffrey Lupul (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3110) and three draft picks for defenseman Chris Pronger (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/639) in July 2006.

"This is great news for me," Smid said. "I really enjoy playing for the Oilers. I feel my game is improving every year and I can't wait to get started again this fall."

Brule, 22, split last season between the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League and the Oilers. He had two goals and one assist in 11 games for Edmonton, and 13 goals with 11 assists in 39 games for Springfield.

Stone, acquired with goalie Dany Sabourin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3204) from the Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) for netminder Mathieu Garon (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1968) in January, had eight goals and 20 assists in 39 games with the Falcons

[Goodfellas]

defenseman Ladislav Smid (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3645) to a two-year contract on Wednesday, and agreed to one-year, two-way deals with forwards Gilbert Brule (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3783) and Ryan Stone (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3370).

Smid, 23, set career highs in assists and points with 11 last season. He had no goals and 57 penalty minutes in 60 games.

"I'm very pleased to have Ladislav signed," Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said in a statement. "He's a very competitive young defenseman that has the ability to contribute in all situations."

Smid has played in 202 career NHL games, all with the Oilers, recording three goals, 22 assists and 152 penalty minutes.

Smid was obtained from the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) with Joffrey Lupul (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3110) and three draft picks for defenseman Chris Pronger (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/639) in July 2006.

"This is great news for me," Smid said. "I really enjoy playing for the Oilers. I feel my game is improving every year and I can't wait to get started again this fall."

Brule, 22, split last season between the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League and the Oilers. He had two goals and one assist in 11 games for Edmonton, and 13 goals with 11 assists in 39 games for Springfield.

Stone, acquired with goalie Dany Sabourin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3204) from the Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) for netminder Mathieu Garon (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1968) in January, had eight goals and 20 assists in 39 games with the Falcons

[Goodfellas]

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks) have signed a pair of goalies, agreeing to a deal with free agent Henrik Karlsson of Sweden and re-signing Thomas Greiss (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3936).

The 25-year-old Karlsson was given a one-year contract on Wednesday. He posted a 2.45 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in 32 games for Malmo of Allsvenskan in Sweden last season. He also had a 2.49 goals-against average in seven games with Sodertalje of the Swedish Elite League.

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson also announced a two-year deal with Greiss, who was a restricted free agent. Greiss, who played three games with the Sharks in 2007-08, spent last season with Worcester of the AHL.

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) refuse to concede that they will be rebuilding next season.

Detroit signed Todd Bertuzzi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1336) to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Tuesday in the hopes that the veteran forward can help make up for some of the Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings)' significant losses.

After falling one win short of repeating as Stanley Cup champions in June, the Red Wings watched watch as forwards Marian Hossa (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1640), Jiri Hudler (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3174), Mikael Samuelsson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2549) and Tomas Kopecky (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2607) signed with other teams.
"We lost almost 90 goals," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "I read or hear people picking us to be about fourth in the Western Conference.

"Even though a lot of teams have gotten better, I still think we're a Stanley Cup contender because our defense is as good as anyone's defense and I like the rest of our team."

The 34-year-old Bertuzzi scored 15 goals and had 44 points last season, ranking sixth in both categories for the Calgary Flames (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/flames). He played in an average of 67 games the past two seasons after a back injury stunted his career

[Goodfellas]

WOODRIDGE, Ill. (AP) -- Many of the hockey players tearing around on the ice at the U.S. Olympic hockey orientation camp were toddlers when Mike Modano (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/40) was picked first overall in the 1988 NHL draft by the Minnesota North Stars.

One of them, Patrick Kane (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4240), hadn't even been born.

Now 39, Modano is hoping to land a spot on his fourth Olympic team. He's the oldest player in camp. And maybe the wisest, too.

"There is tons of talent. You just hope that somehow, some way you fit in and you can be sort of an impact on the team," Modano said. "Some of the players are fast and quick and you hope you can keep up with them."
Modano got two goals for the U.S. at the Nagano Olympics in 1998, had six assists during a silver Medal finish in 2002 at Salt Lake City and scored two goals in 2006 at Torino, Italy, where the Americans lost in the quarterfinals.

[Goodfellas]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) have added another veteran skater, agreeing to terms with center Stephane Yelle (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1304).
The Hurricanes said Wednesday that the 14-year pro has agreed to a one-year deal worth $550,000.

The 35-year-old had seven goals and 11 assists with Boston, and has won the Stanley Cup twice with Colorado.

General manager Jim Rutherford calls Yelle "a proven winner" who "adds depth and experience to the Hurricanes at the center position."
The Hurricanes previously signed free agent defenseman Aaron Ward (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/539) from the Bruins and forward Tom Kostopoulos (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2067) from Montreal.

[Goodfellas]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks) have re-signed defenseman Brett Festerling (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3817) to a two-year contract through the 2010-11 season.
Festerling played 40 games with Anaheim as a rookie last season, recording five assists and 18 penalty minutes. He also played extensively for the Ducks' top minor league affiliate in Iowa.

Festerling will face tough competition for a roster spot when Anaheim opens training camp Sept. 13. Sheldon Brookbank (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3321) and Ducks newcomers Nick Boynton (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1959), Luca Sbisa (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4495) and Steve McCarthy (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1953) will vie for playing time behind established defensemen Scott Niedermayer (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/607), Ryan Whitney (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3072) and James Wisniewski (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3571)

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Rugged left wing Jeff Cowan (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2088) has signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres), who continue to add muscle this offseason.

Cowan is an eight-year NHL veteran but spent last season playing for Peoria of the AHL. He previously played two years with Vancouver, where he combined for seven goals and four assists, and 203 penalty minutes in 88 games.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Cowan broke into the NHL with Calgary during the 1999-2000 season, and has also played for Atlanta and Los Angeles. In 413 career games, he has 81 points (47 goals, 34 assists) and 695 penalty minutes.

The Sabres have already bulked up in free agency this summer by signing forward Mike Grier (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1465) and defenseman Steve Montador (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2962).

[Goodfellas]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Flyers forward Simon Gagne (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1920) strained his groin practicing with Team Canada and will be examined by a team doctor in Philadelphia.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren says the Team Canada doctor doesn't believe the injury is serious but Gagne is returning for a second opinion anyway.

Holmgren says Gagne got hurt Monday evening and will have his follow-up exam with Flyers doctor Peter DeLuca on Wednesday.

The left wing was third on the team with 74 points last season and scored 34 goals, good for second on the team behind Jeff Carter (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3349)

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- A group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf has pulled out as a potential buyer of the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) just as the NHL and a partnership of Canadian and American investors filed separate bids in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase the team and keep it in Arizona.

The NHL announced its bid filing a few hours before word came that the investors' group, known as Ice Edge Holdings, had met Tuesday's court-imposed deadline.

Ice Edge chairman Keith McCullough said in a news release that the plan was to "revitalize NHL hockey in Arizona and the southwestern United States."

Reinsdorf's group said it was unable to meet the deadline for submitting a firm offer. It also complained of an "unwilling seller" and "an organized publicity effort designed to provide negative and misleading information to interested parties."

[Goodfellas]

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders) center Mike Sillinger (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/536) is retiring after 17 years in the NHL because of an injured left hip.
The 38-year-old forward announced his decision during a conference call Wednesday.

Sillinger played only seven games last year and had season-ending surgery in January. In February 2008, a procedure on the hip forced him to miss the final 29 games of that season.

He played for a record 12 teams during his 17 seasons. He spent three years with the Islanders and his 42 goals and 87 points were his highest total with any NHL team.

Sillinger was chosen No. 11 in the 1989 draft by Detroit. For his career, he had 240 goals and 308 assists in 1,049 games.

[Goodfellas]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Vancouver Canucks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canucks) have signed veteran free agent defenseman Mathieu Schneider (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/448) to a one-year contract.

The team announced the deal on Friday, when it also acquired defensemen Christian Ehrhoff (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3233) and Brad Lukowich (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1649) from the San Jose Sharks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sharks).

The 40-year-old Schneider is coming off shoulder surgery. He had nine goals and 32 points in 67 games while splitting last season between Atlanta and Montreal.

He has 221 goals and 724 points in 1,264 games during a 20-year career with eight NHL teams.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Schneider made $5.75 million last season. His signing came within minutes of the Canucks' trade that sent prospects Daniel Rahimi and Patrick White to San Jose for Ehrhoff and Lukowich.

[Goodfellas]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning) say they have re-signed defenseman Matt Lashoff (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3799) to a two-year contract.

General manager Brian Lawton made the announcement Friday. Lashoff was acquired in a trade that sent Mark Recchi (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/11) to Boston last season.
The 22-year-old has appeared in 58 career NHL games with the Lightning and Bruins. He played in 12 games with Tampa Bay last season, finishing with no goals and seven assists.

[Goodfellas]

OTTAWA (AP) -- Ottawa Senators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/senators) defenseman Jason Smith (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/4304) retired on Wednesday after playing in more than a thousand NHL games.
The 35-year-old Smith scored only 41 goals during his career, but made his presence felt in other ways.

"Whether we ever got anything out of him offensively or not didn't matter," Senators general manager Brian Murray said at a news conference. "What I liked about Jason was his leadership and the grit he provided around the net."

In 1,008 career games with New Jersey, Toronto, Edmonton, Philadelphia and Ottawa, Smith had 169 points with 1,099 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 68 playoff games, recording 11 points.

An Oilers captain for five seasons, the Senators brought Smith in last year to offer leadership and mentor some of Ottawa's young defenseman.

[Goodfellas]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Free agent left wing Alex Tanguay (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1763) has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning).

The veteran of 659 NHL games with Colorado, Calgary and Montreal finalized the deal after passing a physical Tuesday. He had 16 goals and 41 points in 50 games for the Canadiens last season.

Tanguay has 193 goals and 580 points in nine seasons. He was Colorado's first-round draft pick in 1998 and was an All-Star with the Avalanche during the 2003-04 season.

The 29-year-old has played in 98 career playoff games. He scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Game 7 of Colorado's victory over New Jersey in the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals.

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Veteran Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) forward Adam Mair (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1791) will miss the start of the regular season after having hip surgery.

General manager Darcy Regier says Mair will miss at least six weeks. That means the gritty fourth-line player will be out until after the Sabres open the regular season on Oct. 3 against Montreal.

Regier did not provide any details Tuesday as to why the operation was necessary.

The announcement came a week before the Sabres are scheduled to open training camp. Mair is a 10-year NHL veteran, who has spent the past six seasons with Buffalo.

He scored a career-best eight goals and added 11 assists for 19 points in 75 games last season.

[Goodfellas]

DETROIT (AP) -- A Michigan judge says former Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) star Sergei Fedorov (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/33) is entitled to $60 million from a man accused of failing to meet a loan obligation to the hockey player.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Kathleen MacDonald made the ruling Friday and her clerk confirmed the decision Monday.

Fedorov says Joseph Zada of Grosse Pointe Shores swindled him out $43 million during the past 11 years. He allegedly promised to repay the former player $60 million by April 20.

Zada's attorney, Benjamin Aloia, said his client should have more time to respond to the lawsuit. Peter Alter, one of Fedorov's attorneys, told the Detroit Free Press that the judgment "is an important and necessary step" in the case.

[Goodfellas]

coach Andy Reid has to cut his roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. Saturday. The decisions would be easier if he knew when Michael Vick (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/931) could play in the regular season. An Eagles (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/21) spokesman denied an ESPN report last night that the team expected NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to say before the deadline when Vick would be able to play. A team source said the Eagles (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/21) had not been told when Goodell would decide.
Philadelphia Inquirer (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090903_Eagles_await_Goodell_s_ruling_on_Vick.htm l)

[Goodfellas]

coach Claude Julien, who led the team to the highest point total in the Eastern Conference last season, agreed to a multiyear contract extension.
The team made the announcement Friday. Julien led the Bruins to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons in Boston.

Last season, he led the Bruins to a conference-best 116 points. But Boston fell to the Carolina Hurricanes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/hurricanes) in seven games in the second round of the playoffs.

In his first season, the Bruins lost to Montreal in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"It's important to feel the confidence of the people behind me -- Mr. (Jeremy) Jacobs and the upper management," Julien said. "It means a lot to me."

Details of the contract extension were not disclosed

[Goodfellas]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/blue_jackets) have signed center Derick Brassard (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3987) to a four-year contract extension through 2013-14.
The club did not disclosed terms when announcing the extension on Friday.

The 22-year-old Brassard had 10 goals and 15 assists in 31 games in 2008-09 before a dislocated shoulder ended his season in December.
Brassard was Columbus' first pick, and sixth overall, in the 2006 draft. At the time of his injury, he led NHL rookies in points, and he was rookie of the month in October

[Goodfellas]

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) will visit with President Barack Obama in the White House on Thursday, two days before they report to training camp.

The 6 p.m. ceremony will occur two hours before Pittsburgh's other championship team, the Super Bowl-winning Steelers, opens the regular season at home against the Tennessee Titans.

The Penguins won their first Stanley Cup since 1992, rallying from a 3-2 series deficit to defeat the reigning champion Detroit Red Wings (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/red_wings) in the finals. The Penguins became the first team since 1971 to win a finals Game 7 on the road.

Leading the Penguins' visit will be Sidney Crosby (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3737), who at age 21 became the youngest captain of a Stanley Cup winner.

[Goodfellas]

PHOENIX (AP) -- Two studies conducted for the NHL set a potential relocation fee of $101 million to $195 million to move the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes) to Hamilton, Ontario.

The figures are listed in a lengthy brief filed over the weekend in the bitter fight in U.S. Bankruptcy Court over ownership of the franchise.

The potential fees are in stark contrast to the $11.2 million to $12.9 million cited by economics professor Andrew Zimbalist in a study conducted for Canadian billionaire James Balsillie. Balsillie, co-CEO of the company that makes the Blackberry, wants to buy the franchise for $212.5 million, contingent on moving it to Hamilton.

The NHL made a last-minute bid of $140 million to purchase the team and keep it in Arizona.

The team is to be sold at auction on Thursday, but many legal issues have yet to be resolv

[Goodfellas]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal judge has sentenced a Silicon Valley financier to more than 8 years in prison for bilking banks and investors out of millions of dollars in an attempt to buy a pro hockey team and finance a lavish lifestyle.

William "Boots" Del Biaggio III was sentenced Tuesday in San Francisco. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to a felony charge of forging financial documents to obtain $110 million in loans from several banks and two NHL owners.

He used the money to buy an interest in the NHL's Nashville Predators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/predators) and to pay personal expenses that included $4 million in gambling debts.
The judge also ordered him to pay more than $67.4 million in restitution. His interest in the hockey team will be sold and the proceeds distributed to his victims

[Goodfellas]

LAVAL, Quebec (AP) -- The sale of the Montreal Canadiens (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/canadiens) to a group led by the Molson family is going ahead.

Geoff Molson said on Thursday that only details need to be ironed out and the deal should be completed in the next few weeks, subject to approval by the NHL.

The structure of the ownership group was completed when the Quebec government approved a $69 million loan it had offered to any Quebec-based individual or group that purchased the franchise from American owner George Gillett.

The ownership group includes Geoff Molson and his two brothers as well as Bell Canada; the Woodbridge Company; the Quebec Labour Federation solidarity fund; Michael Andlauer, the owner of Montreal's AHL affiliate; and Luc Bertrand, the former deputy chief of the TMX group. Two-thirds of the partners are based in Quebec.


\

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- Former NHL union leader Paul Kelly denies an accusation that he misused his office by reading a transcript of a private players' meeting.

"I cannot stand by and allow this false and misleading attack on my character and reputation," Kelly said in a statement released Thursday. "I spent almost 10 years as a federal prosecutor, prosecuting numerous cases pertaining to fraud and dishonesty, including one involving a former NHLPA executive director. My personal ethics and reputation are beyond reproach."

Kelly, a former U.S. prosecutor in Massachusetts who helped bring Alan Eagleson to justice, was dismissed Monday at a meeting of the NHL Players Association executive board in Chicago. No reason has been given for his firing other than it came after a review of his leadership.

Kelly defended his conduct on the same day Glenn Healy resigned as director of player affairs. The move comes after Pat Flatley, assistant director of player affairs and a Kelly supporter, resigned earlier this week along with Bob Lundquist, a union accounting consultant.

The Globe and Mail on Thursday said Kelly was caught reading documents detailing a confidential June meeting between the union's advisory board and its 30-member player executive.

The newspaper said a member of the player executive did not refute the charge when asked whether that was part of the reason Kelly was ousted, saying only that the players had agreed to say nothing about the dismissal.

The issue of privacy is a sensitive one for the union. Former executive director Ted Saskin was dismissed after allegations he monitored player e-mails.

"I take enormous pride and comfort knowing that I always acted in the best interests of the players, including taking affirmative actions required of me based on my obligations to the players and the NHLPA," Kelly said.

[Goodfellas]

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- The Edmonton Oilers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/oilers) have agreed to terms on a one-year contract veteran forward Mike Comrie (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2137).

The 28-year-old Comrie was drafted by Edmonton in 1999 and played for the Oilers from 2000 to 2003.

He has also had stops in Philadelphia, Phoenix, the New York Islanders (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/islanders) and Ottawa.

He has 154 goals and 184 assists in 525 career games

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO (AP) -- Russian star Alexander Ovechkin (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3637) says he wants a meeting of NHL players to talk about participating in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

"Everybody wants to go over there. The Russians want to go for sure over there," Ovechkin said of the games in the Black Sea resort. "(Ilya) Kovalchuk, (Evgeni) Malkin, I know that."

The NHL, however, is not committed to having its players take part in the games past next year's event in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ovechkin was speaking on Thursday at an event at the Hockey Hall of Fame to publicize the "NHL 2K10" video game, which features the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) star on its cover.

He wasn't backing off comments he made the previous day that he planned to play in the 2014 Games whether the league sanctions his participation or not.

"It's what I want and what I'm going to do," he said.

Some league owners reportedly are not in favor of having the league shut down during the Olympics. But Ovechkin says the players are the ones taking a hit these days.

"I think right now we're losing money, not the NHL," he said.
Asked what he meant, Ovechkin replied "escrow," referring to money taken out of the players' paychecks to ensure that the NHLPA-NHL split of league revenues is as mandated in the collective bargaining agreement.
Last year's leading goal-scorer also wants some answers about the players' association's recent decision to fire executive director Paul Kelly.

Ovechkin says he wants to talk to Capitals player rep Brooks Laich (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3287) to find out "why it happened."

Otherwise, the 24-year-old star says he has no other issues with the game.

"It's pretty cool right now," he said. "Everything's OK."

[Goodfellas]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild)'s transformation into a more aggressive, faster-paced team has begun.

Mikko Koivu (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2842) is at the forefront of this, just as new coach Todd Richards wants him to be on the ice this season.

"He's probably in the top three among two-way centermen in the game," Richards said. "The thing I like about Mikko is he's big, he can skate, and he's got offensive skill. For me, he's got great assets that will fit very, very nicely into the way that I would like to see this team play."

Under Jacques Lemaire, the Wild were clearly a conservative club. Richards wants a stronger forecheck and a more proactive attack, and though he has insisted they won't abandon sound defensive principles, it's likely that fans will see a more entertaining product.

"We want to change the mentality," Richards said. "There's going to be games that we're going to lose for sure. We aren't going to go 82-0, but if we can make steps every game -- even in the games that we lose -- in the process of changing the mentality ... the results will take care of itself."

[Goodfellas]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals) forward Tomas Fleischmann (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3176) will miss the start of the regular season with a blood clot in his leg.
The team thinks the clot might have formed during Fleischmann's long flight home to the Czech Republic at the end of last season.

Coach Bruce Boudreau said Sunday that Fleischmann is expected to return to practice in early October.

Fleischmann scored a career-high 19 goals last season

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) have signed restricted free agent forward Drew Stafford (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/3649) to a two-year deal.

The team signed 23-year-old Stafford on Sunday. He emerged as a scoring threat last season when he set career highs in goals and points in 79 games. In 184 career NHL games, Stafford has had 49 goals and 110 points in 184 games.

Stafford was at the team's first day of training camp Saturday even though he didn't have a contract. He and general manager Darcy Regier said the sides were close enough in negotiations to warrant Stafford's appearance.

The contract is worth $3.8 million. Stafford is due to earn $1.5 million in the coming season and $2.3 million in the 2010-11 season.

[Goodfellas]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild) have invited forward Petr Sykora (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1333) to training camp for a tryout.

The 32-year-old Sykora has played for 14 seasons and was fourth on the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) last year with 46 points.

A former first-round draft pick for New Jersey, Sykora has scored 300 goals in his NHL career. After losing Marian Gaborik (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/2416) to the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers) in free agency, the Wild are looking to add more scoring punch in a faster-paced system under new coach Todd Richards.

Sykora has scored at least 20 goals a year for 10 straight seasons.

[Goodfellas]

DUNCANVILLE, Texas (AP) -- A money-losing ice skating venue run by the Dallas Stars (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/stars) is likely to end up in the hands of a youth sports venture bearing the name of Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Knight.

The hockey team has proposed having the rent reduced at the StarCenter facility in Duncanville. It's one of several such facilities in suburban Dallas. But Duncanville's city council was poised to vote Tuesday to terminate the team's lease.

The city could then pursue a plan to convert the building into the $1.2 million Bob Knight's Fieldhouse.

Project developer Jimmy Archie says the former Indiana and Texas Tech coach offered his name to the youth basketball-and-volleyball facility because one of his former trainers was behind the idea.
Archie says Knight would have a small ownership interest.

[Goodfellas]

BOSTON (AP) -- Fred Cusick, the radio and television voice of the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins) for more than four decades, died Tuesday, his family said. He was 90.

Cusick's son, Ted, said his father died at his Barnstable, Mass., home after suffering from cancer. Cusick's death came one day before he was scheduled to be inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Cusick began his career with radio broadcasts of the Bruins in 1952. He moved to television in 1971 and retired from calling games in 1997.
Cusick called Boston's Stanley Cup championship in 1970, one of the city's most famous sports moments captured in an iconic photograph of Bobby Orr flying through the air after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime.
That moment, and the entire season, were among the highlights of Cusick's career, his son said.

"I believe he (Orr) was the greatest player of all," Cusick wrote in his 2006 memoir, "Fred Cusick: Voice Of The Bruins."

While broadcasting the Bruins on radio in the mid-1960s, Cusick tried to drum up interest in getting the team on local television. At the time, however, the Bruins were in the cellar of the six-team National Hockey League and he found little interest among TV outlets.

"I kept telling them that the Bruins had this young player coming along named Orr and he was very good," Cusick recalled. Along with Orr, the "Big Bad Bruins" as they were known at the time, had stars like Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk and Ken Hodge. The team's popularity -- and ratings -- soared and they also captured the Stanley Cup in 1972.

Each goal scored by the Bruins would bring Cusick's trademark shout: "Score!" The enthusiasm in his voice was genuine, Ted Cusick said.
Harry Sinden, a former coach and general manager of the Bruins and now a senior adviser to the team's owner, said Cusick was a huge part of Bruins history and had a major impact on the broadcasting of the sport.
"He was a pioneer and the way hockey games are broadcast really originated with Fred," Sinden said in a statement. "A lot of the camera work that they use was at his suggestion. He had a number of ideas that he brought in and they still use."

"His memory will certainly live on in the hearts and minds of all Bruins fans, as one cannot recall some of the greatest moments in the history of this club without hearing his voice," said the team's principal owner, Charlie Jacobs.

Cusick was a tremendous sports fan, enjoying not only hockey but many other sports, according to his son, who said his father watched Monday night's New England Patriots game, an exciting 25-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills, with "keen interest."

In addition to hockey, Cusick also covered numerous other sports during his long career, including the first game played by the then-Boston Patriots in 1960.

The son of Irish immigrants, Cusick was born in Boston in 1918 and grew up in the city's Brighton neighborhood. He attended Northeastern University, where he played hockey, football and baseball.

He joined the Navy after graduation in 1942 and would remain in the reserves, eventually retiring with the rank of captain. He began his radio career with stations on Cape Cod and in Brockton, where he once interviewed the legendary boxer Rocky Marciano.

Cusick was a recipient of the Lester Patrick Award, given by the NHL to persons who make major contributions to the game in the United States. He also was the first American broadcaster to be inducted into the Media Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Cusick is survived by his wife, Barbara, his son Ted, and three daughters.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

[Goodfellas]

TORONTO(AP) Andy Wozniewski's tiebreaking goal in the third period lifted the Boston Bruins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/bruins/index.html) to a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs/index.html) on Wednesday night in an exhibition game.

Steve Begin and Brad Marchand also scored for Boston while Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stalberg tallied goals for Toronto.

The Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs/index.html) kicked off a hectic preseason schedule playing nine games in 12 days.

Bozak gave the Maple Leafs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/maple_leafs/index.html) a 1-0 lead in the first period before Boston answered with two power-play goals. Begin and Marchand each scored with a man-advantage in the second period.

Stalberg tied the game late in the second period before Wozniewski's game-winner.

[Goodfellas]

NEWARK, N.J.(AP) New Devils coach Jacques Lemaire smiled and shrugged when asked why Brendan Shanahan sported the captain's 'C' in the absence of Jamie Langenbrunner.

It raised some eyebrows when Shanahan was tabbed to assume Langenbrunner's place on New Jersey's top line alongside Travis Zajac and Zach Parise in the preseason opener, but to give him the C, too, even in a game that doesn't count?

''If your captain is injured, you won't give the 'C' to anyone because you don't have any more leaders on that club?'' Lemaire asked rhetorically after the Devils' 3-2 shootout victory over the New York Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/rangers/index.html) on Wednesday night. ''I thought Shanny was a good guy to get it.''
But Lemaire pointed out that Langenbrunner would get the letter back when he plays. He was off Wednesday night.

''Don't be worried,'' Lemaire said.

The 40-year-old Shanahan did nothing to fuel any controversy.
''I really don't make anything of it,'' he said. ''Jamie is our captain and he is a great captain. We all support him

[Goodfellas]

OTTAWA(AP) Jordan Leopold and Dmitri Kulikov scored power-play goals to lead the Florida Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/panthers/index.html) to a 2-1 preseason win over the Ottawa Senators (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/senators/index.html) on Wednesday night.

Leopold opened the scoring 7:26 into his Florida debut when he put Michael Frolik's rebound past Brian Elliott.

Kulikov, who assisted on Leopold's goal, restored the Panthers' one-goal lead when he scored 13:48 into the second on Florida's first shot against Mike Brodeur, who replaced Elliott moments earlier.

''It feels good for the back end,'' Leopold said. ''Any way we can score goals and be able to contribute, it's big. I think everybody did a good job. Well done, all the way around.''

Chris Phillips scored early in the second as each of the three goals in the game were produced on the power play by defensemen.

Ottawa came close to scoring on a goalmouth scramble with 17.3 seconds remaining but the referee ruled the puck hadn't crossed the line

[Goodfellas]

DALLAS(AP) Brad Richards converted in the third round of the shootout after scoring a goal in regulation to lift the Dallas Stars (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/stars/index.html) to a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/lightning/index.html) on Wednesday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

Neither team was successful in the first two rounds before Richards, who played for the Lightning from 2000-08, beat rookie goaltender Jaroslav Janus.

Stars rookie goalie Tyler Beskorowany stopped Martins Karsums in the third round to seal the win.

Blair Jones' rebound put Tampa Bay in front 3-2 at 5:55 of the third period.

James Neal's goal at 16:46 of the period off a setup by Richards drew Dallas even at 3.

Loui Eriksson and Richards had first-period power-play goals for Dallas.
Tampa Bay rallied in the second period on Todd Fedoruk's even-strength goal and Brett McClain's power-play tally with 28.2 seconds left in the period.

Marty Turco stopped 11 of 13 shots for Dallas before he was replaced by Beskorowany at 11:52 of the second period

[Goodfellas]

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) Bobby Ryan scored twice in regulation and again leading off the shootout, helping the Anaheim Ducks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/ducks/index.html) beat the Phoenix Coyotes (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/coyotes/index.html) 3-2 in their preseason opener on Wednesday night.

Jonas Hiller stopped 18 of 19 Phoenix shots, before Timo Pielmeier replaced him midway through the second period with the score tied and made 28 saves for the win. He also stopped Kevin Porter and Kyle Turris in the tiebreaker, while Ryan and Joffrey Lupul connected at the other end against Jason LaBarbera.

The Coyotes got the equalizer with 7 1-2 minutes left in the third period when Chad Kolarik took the puck away from defenseman Sheldon Brookbank right in front of the crease on the forecheck and quickly tucked it between Pielmeier's stick and the left post.

The Coyotes nearly won it in the first minute of overtime during a power play, but Peter Mueller's 45-foot wrist shot from the slot hit the right post after beating Pielmeier to the glove side.

[Goodfellas]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Wild (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/wild) have signed right wing Petr Sykora to a one-year contract.

Sykora skated with the team on a tryout basis for two practices. His deal was done on Thursday.

The 32-year-old ranked fourth on the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/penguins) last season with 46 points in 76 games. He had 25 goals, giving him 300 over his 14-year career. Sykora has played in the Stanley Cup finals five times.

The Czech Republic native has played for five other teams, first with the New Jersey Devils (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/devils) in 1995 after they made him their first-round draft pick

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- First-round pick Zack Kassian is one of six Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres) prospects returned to their respective Canadian junior clubs.
A gritty forward who was selected 13th overall in the NHL draft in June, Kassian was returned to Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League. The moves leave Buffalo with 50 players on its training camp roster and were made Thursday, before the Sabres hosted Washington to open their preseason schedule.

Also returned to the juniors were forwards Luke Adam (Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), Marcus Foligno (Sudbury, OHL), Jacob Lagace (Chicoutimi, QMJHL) and defensemen Nick Crawford (Saginaw, OHL) and Brayden McNabb (Kootenay, Western Hockey League

[Goodfellas]

BUFFALO, N.Y.(AP) Brian Pothier scored during a two-man advantage in overtime to lift the Washington Capitals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/capitals/index.html) to a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/teams/sabres/index.html) on Thursday night in the preseason opener for both.

Buffalo, which had not been assessed a penalty until 39 seconds remained in regulation, incurred two in a span of 25 seconds to set up the overtime power play. Pothier fired a slap shot from the center point past Buffalo goalie Jhonas Enroth.

''Eventually you get an opportunity and you win,'' Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said.

Alexandre Giroux, Mike Knuble and Jay Beagle scored for Washington. Semyon Varlamov played the entire game in goal for the Capitals and made 20 saves.

''Varly was pretty outstanding in the first two periods,'' Boudreau said. ''There were a lot of good efforts. The defensive veterans had a good game.''