Sundin picks Canucks over Rangers, agrees to deal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Mats Sundin finally made up his mind. It was time to start playing again, and the Vancouver Canucks provided the perfect landing spot.

The former Toronto Maple Leafs captain announced his long-awaited decision Thursday and ended months of speculation about where he would end up - or if he would even return to play in North America - by signing with the Canucks.

Sundin had considered retirement following last season, but a number of teams still expressed interest in his services. He narrowed his choices in recent weeks to the Canucks and New York Rangers, who didn't have nearly enough cap space to compete with Vancouver's lucrative offer.

Sundin picks Canucks over Rangers, agrees to deal....

Avery suspended indefinitely by NHL

By JAIME ARON

DALLAS (AP) — Sean Avery is in trouble with the NHL again, this time for thinly veiled comments about a foe dating his former girlfriend.

Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Avery indefinitely Tuesday hours after the Dallas Stars pest made "inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game." Avery will meet with Bettman before his punishment is settled. That get-together is likely to happen soon.

Avery's inflammatory comments came following a morning skate in Calgary, where the Stars were playing the Flames on Tuesday night.

Avery approached a group of reporters, asked if a camera was present, then said he wanted to say one thing: "I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," he said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my (former girlfriends)."

He used a crude term to refer to ex-girlfriends now dating other people.

Avery suspended indefinitely by NHL....

Sports Friday: Mussina Retires, Steelers Roll

After 18 major-league seasons, Mike Mussina announced his retirement Thursday. A 270-game winner with the Yankees and Orioles, the 40-year old right hander ranks 32nd on baseball's career win list.

Lightning fire coach Barry Melrose; Rick Tocchet takes over on interim basis

TAMPA, Fla. — Barry Melrose's latest go-around as an NHL coach has come to an abrupt end.

The Tampa Bay Lightning fired Melrose on Thursday, and announced that assistant Rick Tocchet would take over the head coaching duties on an interim basis.

Under Melrose, the Lightning won just five of 16 games to open the season (5-7-4).

"This was a tough decision to make," general manager Brian Lawton said in a statement. "Barry is a good man and we have a great deal of respect for him. We wish him nothing but success.

Lightning fire coach Barry Melrose; Rick Tocchet takes over on interim basis....

Rangers prospect dies during game in Russia

NEW YORK (AP) — A 19-year-old prospect for the New York Rangers prospect died during a game in Russia on Monday. Alexei Cherepanov was selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL draft and was playing in Russia's Continental Hockey League. The Rangers announced the death but did not elaborate.

"Alexei was an intelligent, energetic young man, with tremendous talent and an extremely bright future," general manager Glen Sather said.

Cherepanov, a forward, had seven goals and five assists in 145 games with Avangard Omsk this season. In the 2008 Under-20 World Junior Championships, he led Russia to a bronze medal.

Rangers prospect dies during game in Russia....

NHL Season Begins in Europe

The 2008-09 NHL season got underway Saturday with a pair of games in Europe. The Rangers beat the Lightning 2-1 in Prague, while the Penguins topped the Senators 4-3 in overtime in Stockholm.

Rangers top Lightning 2-1 in NHL opener in Prague

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Markus Naslund and Brandon Dubinsky scored to lift the New York Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday in the NHL's second straight year of opening its regular season in Europe.

Naslund scored with 1:52 remaining in the second period on a wrist shot after being fed by Scott Gomez.

Martin St. Louis tied the game 3:57 into the final period after skating past Rangers defenseman Dmitri Kalinin and firing a backhand shot past goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Dubinsky had the winner on a power play with 5:44 left in the game.

Lundqvist made 20 saves and Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith had 39.

The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in overtime in Stockholm, Sweden, later Saturday. The NHL opened last season in Europe with the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings playing two games in London.

Rangers top Lightning 2-1 in NHL opener in Prague....

Four big names in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame's 2008 class

By Terry Frei

The four-person United States Hockey Hall of Fame's class of 2008 -- announced on Tuesday morning -- is appropriately Olympian, given the events of the day.


It is also groundbreaking.

Former Olympians Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, Brett Hull and Cammi Granato will officially be inducted at a dinner and ceremony on Oct. 10, held in conjunction with the next night's University of Denver-Notre Dame Hall of Fame Game at DU's Magness Arena. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum is in Eveleth, Minn.

A maximum of four can be inducted each year, and the three former NHL stars were obvious choices for the selection committee, a group assembled by USA Hockey in the wake of its takeover of the voting process last year. (Editor's note: Frei serves on the panel.)

The choice of Granato recognized her play and her trailblazing efforts on the women's hockey front in the U.S., and that went far beyond her role as captain and the star of the 1998 U.S. Olympic team that won the first women's gold medal. She will be the first woman inductee in the U.S. Hall.

Four big names in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame's 2008 class....

Red Wings to face Blackhawks at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO (AP) — Frosty baseball games have long been a fixture at Wrigley Field, where a stiff wind off Lake Michigan can chill fans, players and managers alike.

Now the Friendly Confines is going on ice. For one day.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks are taking hockey back outdoors when they meet New Year's Day 2009 in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.

It will be the NHL's second Winter Classic. Last season in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 before a crowd of 71,217. Snow fell during the game and the Pens won on Sidney Crosby's goal in a shootout.

It will mark the third regular-season outdoor game in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 22, 2003.

The game, beginning at noon Central Time, will be televised nationally on NBC.

Red Wings to face Blackhawks at Wrigley Field....

Philadelphia's Spectrum to be demolished

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A longtime sports arena in Philadelphia is shutting down.

Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider says the 42-year-old Spectrum will close at the end of the 2008-09 hockey and soccer seasons and be demolished.

The arena had been used for Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers games until 1996. The Wachovia Center now is home to the pro hockey and basketball teams.

The Spectrum is currently used for a minor-league hockey team, the Philadelphia Phantoms, and an indoor soccer team, the Philadelphia Kixx. It is also home to an Arena Football League team, the Philadelphia Soul.

Philadelphia's Spectrum to be demolished....

Citing Philosophical Differences, Islanders and Nolan Part Ways

By DAVE CALDWELL

The Islanders pulled Ted Nolan out of N.H.L. exile two years ago, and he nudged an overachieving team into the playoffs in his first season. But Nolan is now looking for work again, after he and his boss could not agree on a game plan for the team’s future.

Islanders General Manager Garth Snow fired Nolan on Monday, although the Islanders softened the news by saying he would not return as coach. Both cited philosophical differences that had apparently lasted for more than a year.

Nolan, 50, whose Islanders teams compiled a 75-68-21 record and made the 2007 playoffs with a memorable late-season surge, had one year left on a three-year contract worth about $600,000 a year.

“I’ve enjoyed the last two years, and I wish I could continue with them, but unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case,” Nolan said in a telephone interview. “I want to coach, I believe I can coach at this level, and I’d like to have another opportunity to coach at this level.”

Citing Philosophical Differences, Islanders and Nolan Part Ways....

Lightning, Lecavalier ink 11-year, $85M extension

By FRED GOODALL – 4 hours ago

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — All-Star center Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension that he hopes will keep him in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform for the remainder of his career.

"Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he's one of the classiest people you'll ever meet off the ice, as well," Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said Sunday in a team statement.

"With this deal, our ownership has made it clear that he is the cornerstone of the Lightning, and Vincent has shown his dedication to the franchise and the Tampa Bay area by signing for less than he undoubtedly would've received on the open market."

Lightning, Lecavalier ink 11-year, $85M extension....

NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports

By Erik Matuszewski

July 7 (Bloomberg) -- The National Hockey League will play its second outdoor game at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, when the Blackhawks host the Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

The game was approved last week when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and officials from the Blackhawks and Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, the paper said, without citing the source of its information.

NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports....

Marian Hossa signs with champion Detroit Red Wings

By LARRY LAGE

DETROIT (AP) — Marian Hossa chose to join the Detroit Red Wings at a discount.

He hopes hoisting the Stanley Cup will make it worth the sacrifice.

Hossa signed a one-year contract with Detroit on Wednesday, and a person in the NHL told The Associated Press the deal is worth $7.45 million.

He had rebuffed a chance to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were reportedly offering $7 million a season as part of five-year contract after they lost the Stanley Cup finals to Detroit last month.

Marian Hossa signs with champion Detroit Red Wings....

Capitals lock up Green

By Corey Masisak

Defenseman Mike Green was considered one of the top restricted free agents set to hit the market Tuesday.


Getty Images Mike Green signed a four-year contract with the Washington Capitals before another team could make him an offer.

The Washington Capitals didn't let that happen.

Green signed a four-year contract worth $21 million on Tuesday morning, just hours before other teams would have been able to officially sign him to an offer sheet. The 22-year-old Green led all players at his position last year with 18 goals and finished eighth among defensemen with 56 points.

Capitals lock up Green....

Pens send Malone, Roberts to Lightning for draft pick

by FOXSports.com

The Pittsburgh Penguins just got a little lighter.

Tampa Bay has acquired the rights to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts in a trade with the Pens in exchange for a conditional 2009 draft pick.

If the Lightning sign Malone, the Pens will get Tampa Bay's third-round pick in 2009. If not, Pittsburgh will get Tampa Bay's fourth-round pick in 2009, which they received from Dallas in a previous deal.

"We said earlier this week we would be aggressive in our pursuit of free agents in order to win and compete," owner Oren Koules said. "This trade today doesn't guarantee anything, but we believe it gives us a leg up in our attempt to sign these two impact players."

Pens send Malone, Roberts to Lightning for draft pick....

Barry Melrose leaves ESPN to coach Tampa Bay Lightning

Many hockey fans know Barry Melrose only as an ESPN analyst, but before he became a broadcaster, he had an undistinguished playing career and coached in the Stanley Cup Finals. A look at Melrose, who will be named the Tampa Bay Lightning's coach today:

Barry Melrose leaves ESPN to coach Tampa Bay Lightning....

Lightning make a move at the top; new coach coming Tuesday

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning put in place a new ownership group consisting of eight people on Monday and the announcement of a new head coach is scheduled for Tuesday.

Oren Koules, a Hollywood producer, heads up the team which is expected to finalize the sale from Bill Davidson and Palace Sports & Entertainment on June 30. Former NHL player Len Barrie is also part of the group.

"This is a great day for Tampa Bay and for the Lightning," said Koules. "There is a wonderful foundation for hockey in this community; a great fan base and a former Stanley Cup winning team led by Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. Our group's primary goal is to win hockey games and compete for championships on a regular basis."

The first order of business for the new ownership group will be to introduce a new head coach, and reports have circulated over the past few weeks that Barry Melrose will be the choice.

Lightning make a move at the top; new coach coming Tuesday....

Predators trade Mason to Blues, re-sign Ellis

By John Glennon, The (Nashville) Tennessean

The Predators have traded goalie Chris Mason to St. Louis for a fourth-round pick in this weekend's draft, and the team has also agreed to terms on a new contract with goalie Dan Ellis.

Predators trade Mason to Blues, re-sign Ellis....

NHL threatens to get rid of Rangers' owners

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL is threatening to kick the owners of the New York Rangers out of the league or force them to sell the team as punishment for accusing league officials of violating antitrust laws.

The NHL filed court papers Wednesday that included a draft letter from commissioner Gary Bettman proposing discipline against Madison Square Garden, L.P., that could lead to suspension or termination of its ownership of the Rangers. The Garden responded by accusing the NHL of using "bullying tactics."

In its court filing, the NHL asked a judge to agree Madison Square Garden breached its contract by challenging league rules.

Madison Square Garden sued the NHL in September, saying it violated antitrust laws by monopolizing control of team promotions. A judge ruled in November that the league seemed within its rights to take control of the team's Web site.

Madison Square Garden, which is owned by Cablevision Systems Corp., owns the Rangers, the NBA's New York Knicks, the WNBA's New York Liberty and several venues, including Madison Square Garden — the home of the Rangers, Knicks and Liberty.

MSG spokesman Barry Watkins said Thursday that the league was consistent but wrong in its handling of the dispute.

NHL threatens to get rid of Rangers' owners

Wings' Larionov, Oilers' Anderson elected to Hall of Fame

CBSSports.com wire reports

TORONTO -- It was only a few weeks ago that Igor Larionov and Glenn Anderson were playing exhibition games together in Europe and had a discussion about how nice it would be to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame at the same time.

Turns out it was more than just wishful thinking.

The Russian center and former Edmonton Oilers winger were elected to the Hall on Tuesday along with former linesman Ray Scapinello and junior hockey builder Ed Chynoweth.

Larionov and Anderson were recently in Russia to play during a celebration for Slava Fetisov's 50th birthday and traveled to Belarus to help open an arena on the invitation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"Igor and I were kind of talking about this," said Anderson. "We were thinking if we do get in, it's going to be -- I don't know if we can compare it to what the party was like over in Moscow and in Belarus.

"We'll try our hardest to make it a good one."

It's hard to blame them. They each had to wait.

Wings' Larionov, Oilers' Anderson elected to Hall of Fame....

Senators select Hartsburg as new coach

OTTAWA (AP) — Craig Hartsburg is the new coach of the Ottawa Senators, the third time he has led an NHL team.

Hartsburg takes over from Senators general manager Bryan Murray, who finished the season behind the Ottawa bench after coach John Paddock was fired in late February.

Hartsburg, who signed a three-year contract, also has coached in Anaheim and Chicago, and was an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers from 2002 to 2004. The 48-year-old Hartsburg has been coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the past four seasons.

"I know it's a great challenge and I can't wait," Hartsburg said at a Friday news conference. "I love challenges."

STORY....

Caps' Ovechkin Wins MVP; Boudreau Is Coach of Year

By Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer

TORONTO, June 12 -- When Alex Ovechkin accepted the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the most outstanding player as voted by his peers, the Washington Capitals' left wing apologized to the crowd for stumbling during his acceptance speech.

He said, "Sorry, I'm nervous," before smiling, tugging at his lapel and taking a deep breath. But as it turned out, there was no reason for Ovechkin's nerves to be frayed Thursday night at the NHL Awards Show. He later captured the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP -- in a landslide.

Ovechkin is the first Capital to win either award, beating out Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin for both honors. Ovechkin also became the first player to win the Hart and Pearson awards along with the Art Ross and Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophies, given for leading the league with 112 points and 65 goals, respectively.

"I wanted to win everything," Ovechkin said. "Maybe next year the Stanley Cup."

MORE....

Detroit's Stanley Cup win nets viewers for NBC

Daily News Wire Services

Television ratings for the decisive game of the Stanley Cup finals were double the last Game 6 in 2006.
The Detroit Red Wings' clinching 3-2 victory Wednesday night over the Pittsburgh Penguins drew a 4.4 overnight rating and a 7 share on NBC, the network said yesterday. The Game 6 between Edmonton and Carolina 2 years ago earned a 2.2.

MORE....

Wings Take Stanley Cup

It's been a six year wait, but for the Red Wings and their fans, it's worth it as Stanley is back where he belongs in Michigan. After a triple overtime heartbreaker Monday, the Detroit Red Wings took care of business Wednesday in Pittsburgh. The Red Wings end another dream season with a championship. It was an unbelievable season and even more unbelievable playoff run by the Red Wings, who had 10 Stanley Cups in their glorious past, but none in the last 6 years, so the hunger to tote the cup was clearly back, and what a thrilling finish to game 6 in Pittsburgh.

Henrik Zetterburg rushes the net in the 3rd period with the wings up 2-1. It appears as though the puck is frozen under the goalie. The Wings say it's in. Goalie Marc Andre Flurry never froze it. It counted, 3-1 Red Wings. It was 3-2 and a save by Chris Osgood at the buzzer. That would have tied it, but Osgood kicked it away and the Wings win the 11th Stanley Cup in their history.

STORY....

Day After, Penguins Smile Through Pain

By LYNN ZINSER

PITTSBURGH — When the Penguins arrived at Mellon Arena for a meeting Tuesday morning, their incredulous smiles had not faded in the hours since their season-saving victory over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. Neither had their bruises.

The Penguins wore those like badges of pride, the cost of competing for a Cup that was nearly awarded to the Red Wings in Joe Louis Arena — until the Penguins tied the game in the final seconds of regulation. They then snatched the victory after 49 minutes 37 seconds of overtime, ending an epic game that will be followed by Game 6 on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. The Penguins trail the best-of-seven series, 3-2.

ARTICLE....

Pens keep Wings from hoisting Cup in 3OT

The pizza was perfect for Petr Sykora and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Deep in overtime and the season hanging in the balance, Sykora scored a power-play goal 9:57 into the third extra session to give the Penguins a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night and send the Stanley Cup finals back to the Steel City for Game 6. "We basically just had to keep the fluids going, get some food in you," Sykora said. "We had some pizza coming.

STORY....