NHL

AP Hockey WriterWill NHL awards honor Leafs, Oilers, Columbus?By JOHN WAWROWMike Babcock, John Tortorella and Todd McLellan had plenty in common.Not only did the three steer their playoff-starved franchises to the postseason, they are the NHL coach of the year Jack Adams Trophy candidates.Before this season, the Maple Leafs,...

Kings agree with coach Darryl Sutter on contract extensionLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Kings and coach Darryl Sutter have agreed to a multiyear contract extension that begins in the fall.The two-time Stanley Cup champion coach reached an agreement that is reportedly for two more seasons with an...

AP Sports WriterIt's a trap! Cup champion Penguins wary of stingy SenatorsBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins spent the first two rounds of the playoffs engaging in high-stakes games of rope-a-dope with Columbus and Washington, absorbing some hits, avoiding others and counterpunching brilliantly to get halfway to...

The Latest: Penguins a Game 6 win from defending Cup titleNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Latest on Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final (all times local):4 p.m.Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are a win from becoming the NHL's first team to win consecutive Stanley Cup titles in...

AP Hockey WriterAfter sunny All-Star break, NHL playoff race is heating upBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin were linemates. Connor McDavid scored on a pass from Ryan Kesler. Wayne Simmonds was the shooting star of the show.The dreamlike quality of the NHL All-Star Game...

AP Sports WriterNewly signed Granlund: Wild 'can do some damage' in playoffsBy DAVE CAMPBELLThis offseason for the Minnesota Wild was never going to be about making major additions.This was simply the summer of maintenance and sustenance, with a new contract for Mikael Granlund one of the biggest priorities.Now that...

St. Louis hires Berube, 2 others, to complete Yeo's staffST. LOUIS (AP) Former NHL winger Craig Berube has been hired as an associate coach in St. Louis along with two others, completing the staff under coach Mike Yeo.Berube, who played for five teams during his 17-year NHL career,...

AP Sports WriterHealth of Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis still in questionBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The health of Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis is in question after he couldn't finish Game 5, and the Predators are offering no clues at all for Game 6 on Sunday night.Ellis did...

Oilers sign center Leon Draisaitl to 8-year extensionEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers have signed center Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8.5 million.The extension runs through the 2024-25 season, similar to the eight-year, $100-million extension superstar captain Connor McDavid signed...

AP Sports WriterPredators edge Blues 2-1, take 3-1 series leadBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis gave goalie Pekka Rinne a hand in the crease with a key save inside the final minute of the second period, then he broke open a scoreless game with...

AP Hockey WriterAll talk, few trades before NHL's expansion roster freezeBy STEPHEN WHYNOMike Smith went from Arizona to Calgary and a couple of defensemen traded places as NHL teams made last-minute moves before the Vegas expansion draft roster freeze.None of those defensemen came from the Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators...

NY Rangers sign Zibanejad to $26.75 million, 5-year dealNEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers have signed center Mika Zibanejad to a $26.75 million, five-year deal.Zibanejad will count $5.35 million against the salary cap through 2021-22 as the Rangers count on him to take on a bigger role...