NHL
Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin to make summer trip to China
WASHINGTON (AP) — Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will go to China as part of the NHL’s continued outreach in that country. Ovechkin will visit Beijing in early August as a league ambassador. He’s expected to take part in youth hockey clinics, interviews and business development meetings. The Russian star says it’s “very important to spend …
AP source: Seattle close to naming Ron Francis as GM
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle’s NHL expansion team is close to an agreement with Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis to become its first general manager, a person with direct knowledge tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not made an announcement. The expansion Seattle franchise is …
Capitals re-sign winger Jakub Vrana in 2-year deal
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — The Washington Capitals took care of their biggest remaining offseason priority Tuesday by re-signing winger Jakub Vrana to a $6.7 million, two-year contract. Vrana had been a restricted free agent and will count $3.35 million against the salary cap in each of the next two seasons. Locking him in at that …
Convincing Hall to stay is a Devil of a task for New Jersey
After the New Jersey Devils acquired P.K. Subban, Taylor Hall texted Ray Shero a green checkmark. “Like, ‘Check that box off,’” Shero said. “I guess that’s good.” The Devils have a much longer checklist to complete to convince Hall to re-sign and not leave as a free agent next summer. There is no rush from …
How long interview period changed course of NHL free agency
Artemi Panarin did not have to imagine what he might look like in a New York Rangers uniform. His likeness in Rangers blue adorned the giant video screens at Madison Square Garden with the message “Welcome Artemi” a full four days before he signed with the team. “There was a moment where I just sat …
Blackhawks acquire F Alex Nylander in trade with Sabres
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks are taking a chance on another underachieving young forward. They hope it goes the same way it did last time. The Blackhawks traded promising defenseman Henri Jokiharju to Buffalo on Tuesday for Alex Nylander, who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since he was selected by the Sabres with …
Avalanche sign coach Jared Bednar to 2-year extension
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche agreed to a two-year contract extension with coach Jared Bednar after guiding the team to back-to-back playoff appearances. His contract runs through the 2021-22 season, the team announced Tuesday. Bednar is 103-116-27 in three seasons at the helm of the Avalanche. He earned his 100th NHL coaching victory on …
Sharks re-sign forward Kevin Labanc to 1-year deal
The San Jose Sharks have re-signed forward Kevin Labanc to a one-year contract. Labanc was a restricted free agent coming off the best season of his young NHL career. The 23-year-old registered 17 goals, 39 assists and 56 points and helped the Sharks reach the Western Conference final. In announcing the deal Monday, general manager …
Sharks re-sign Kevin Labanc to 1-year, $1 million deal
After losing a lot of talent in free agency, the San Jose Sharks locked up a young player who should be crucial to their success next season. San Jose on Monday re-signed 23-year-old forward Kevin Labanc to a one-year, $1 million contract. With Joe Pavelski, Joonas Donskoi and Gustav Nyquist gone , the Sharks are …
Rangers, Islanders, Devils all creating buzz in offseason
The New York Rangers‘ rebuild got a big boost with the additions of free-agent forward Artemi Panarin and young defenseman Kaapo Kakko with the second pick in the draft. The New Jersey Devils got Jack Hughes at No. 1 overall and traded for P.K. Subban to improve their defense. The Islanders are coming off a …