NHL
Canada names Burke as GM, Desjardins as coach for Olympics
Canada has taken the first steps toward trying to win a third consecutive Olympic gold medal, only this time without NHL players. Hockey Canada on Tuesday named Sean Burke as its general manager and Willie Desjardins as its coach for the 2018 Olympics in South Korea, the first Games without the NHL since 1994. The …
NY Rangers sign Zibanejad to $26.75 million, 5-year deal
Mika Zibanejad knew from the moment the New York Rangers traded Derek Stepan that his role would be more substantial. Now he has the contract to match. The Rangers avoided arbitration Tuesday and signed Zibanejad to a $26.75 million, five-year deal that carries a salary-cap hit of $5.35 million through 2021-22. With Stepan gone, the …
Okposo says he’s healthy after concussion put him in ICU
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said he is fully healthy after a concussion led to sleeping trouble, significant weight loss and a trip to intensive care last March. Okposo missed the final few weeks of Buffalo’s season with a previously undisclosed illness. In a letter posted on the team’s website Monday, Okposo said …
Red Wings agree to terms with Tatar on $21.2M, 4-year deal
DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings agreed to terms with winger Tomas Tatar on a $21.2 million, four-year contract Friday. The 26-year-old Czech native led Detroit with 25 goals last season and also had 21 assists. He has 20-plus goals in each of the past three seasons, including a career-high 29 in 2014-15. In 345 …
The leap left behind, Marcus Foligno seeks more in Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Marcus Foligno has left the leap behind in Buffalo. That doesn’t mean his offensive production can’t or won’t continue to rise in Minnesota. Coming off a career-high 13 goals for the Sabres last season, the 25-year-old was acquired by the Wild to bring some needed grit and strength to the left …
Blues avoid arbitration, sign Parayko to $27.5M, 5-year deal
The St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Colton Parayko to a $27.5 million, five-year contract just before the sides were set to go to arbitration on Thursday. Only sharpshooting winger Vladimir Tarasenko is signed longer as the Blues have captain Alex Pietrangelo, Jay Bouwmeester and Parayko locked up as their top three on defense. ”Colton coming …
Williams embraces leadership role in return to Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t bring back Justin Williams to be ”Mr. Game 7.” Not yet, anyway. The 35-year-old with the reputation for scoring big postseason goals has returned to Raleigh, tasked with bringing veteran leadership and a voice of experience to a young Carolina team. But there’s a fine line between filling …
Campbell announces his retirement after 17 NHL seasons
CHICAGO (AP) Defenseman Brian Campbell is retiring at age 38 after playing 17 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. Campbell announced his retirement Monday. The Blackhawks say he’ll join their business operations department, assisting with community and youth hockey initiatives and marketing. ”I’m excited to transition into the …
Experience not required: Rookie coaches a growing NHL trend
Rick Tocchet is the kind of coach who doesn’t mind if a player calls him at 9 p.m. to share a thought. He doesn’t expect that to change as he goes from a Pittsburgh Penguins assistant to head coach of the Arizona Coyotes. Tocchet has done it before, and his 148 games as an NHL …
Lightning re-sign Palat to $26.5M, 5-year deal
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman completed his offseason to-do list by signing ”model player” Ondrej Palat to a $26.5 million, five-year deal. The Lightning and Palat avoided arbitration and settled on the contract Friday. The Czech left winger will count $5.3 million against the salary cap through the 2021-22 season. The 26-year-old Palat …