NHL

LA Kings sign D Kevin Gravel, avoiding arbitrationEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed Kevin Gravel to a one-year, $650,000 contract extension, avoiding arbitration with the restricted free agent defenseman.The Kings also signed restricted free agents Justin Auger, Andrew Crescenzi, Zachary Leslie and Kurtis MacDermid...

Blackhawks agree to 1-year contract with D Michal KempnyCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a one-year contract with defenseman Michal Kempny.Kempny was set to become a restricted free agent July 1. The extension runs through the 2017-18 season.The 26-year-old Kempny had two goals and six assists...

Blue Jackets buy out Hartnell to free salary cap spaceCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets have bought out the final two years of 35-year-old forward Scott Hartnell's contract, opening up salary cap space to possibly sign another free agent.Hartnell would have cost the team $4.75 million against...

Lightning sign F Tyler Johnson to 7-year, $35-million dealTAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tyler Johnson is staying with the Tampa Bay Lightning.The free-agent forward signed a new seven-year, $35 million deal to remain with the Lightning, General Manager Steve Yzerman announced Monday.The 26-year-old Johnson had 19 goals and 26 assists...

Oilers sign star Connor McDavid to 8-year, $100 million dealEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Oilers have signed star captain Connor McDavid to an eight-year, $100 million deal.McDavid led the NHL in scoring with 100 points last season, en route to winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP.Drafted first overall...

Sabres re-sign goalie Robin Lehner to $4M, 1-year dealBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed goaltender Robin Lehner to a $4 million, one-year contract.The team announced the deal Tuesday. Lehner was a restricted free agent.The 26-year-old Swede showed he could stay healthy last season, setting career highs...

Oilers buying out Pouliot as they keep clearing cap spaceEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Benoit Pouliot on unconditional waivers with the purposes of buying out his contract.Pouliot had two years left at a salary-cap hit of $4 million. By buying out Pouliot, Edmonton saves...

AP Sports WriterFish tale: How the catfish toss came to be a Predators thingBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Detroit Red Wings fans have their octopi. The Panthers' faithful in Florida had the ''rat trick.''Nashville? The Predators have catfish, the Southern staple that has become a beloved badge...

Stars re-sign Radek Faksa to $6.6 million, 3-year dealFRISCO, Texas (AP) The Dallas Stars have re-signed young center Radek Faksa to a $6.6 million, three-year contract.Faksa is coming off his first full NHL season, when he had 12 goals and 21 assists in 80 games. The 23-year-old center...

Stars re-sign winger Brett Ritchie for 2 years, $3.5 millionDALLAS (AP) The Dallas Stars have re-signed forward Brett Ritchie to a $3.5 million, two-year contract.Ritchie had 16 goals and eight assists in 78 games last season, with a team-best rating of plus-11. The 24-year-old right winger has appeared...

AP Hockey WriterLaviolette, Sullivan meet in 1st all-US coaches Cup FinalBy STEPHEN WHYNOHockey history will be made for American coaches in the Stanley Cup Final.The Cup has been handed out 89 times to the champion of the NHL since 1927. For the first time, two American coaches will face...

AP Hockey WriterOvechkin played through hamstring, knee injuries in playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin played through hamstring and knee injuries that hampered him in the playoffs.Ovechkin said he felt something in his hamstring late in Game 3 of the second-round series against the...