NHL

AP Hockey WriterDevils buck odds to win NHL draft lottery; Vegas to pick 6thBy JOHN WAWROWThe New Jersey Devils won the NHL draft lottery, vaulting four teams including the last-place Colorado Avalanche and expansion Vegas Golden Knights for the right to the first pick in the draft.The Philadelphia Flyers...

AP Sports WriterKunitz's double-OT goal sends Penguins back to Stanley CupBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Chris Kunitz spent a portion of the spring nursing a lower-body injury and wondering if his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins was over. The veteran forward's contract is up this summer and he's been...

Coyotes add MacLean, Allen as assistant coachesGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes hired John MacLean and Scott Allen on Wednesday as assistant coaches on Rick Tocchet's staff.MacLean played 18 NHL seasons with four teams before becoming an assistant coach in the New Jersey Devils organization for seven seasons....

AP Sports WriterCoyotes hire Rick Tocchet as head coachBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Coyotes have hired Rick Tocchet as head coach, turning the team over to a man who helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the past two Stanley Cup titles.The 53-year-old Tocchet, who spent the past three...

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...

AP Sports WriterHurricanes: Owner Karmanos considers offer to sell teamBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. is considering selling the NHL team.Hurricanes spokesman Mike Sundheim said in a statement that Karmanos is deciding whether to accept an offer for the franchise or remain the...

Oilers sign center Leon Draisaitl to 8-year extensionEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The two biggest cornerstones of the emerging Edmonton Oilers franchise are now locked up for the long haul.Six weeks after extending Connor McDavid for eight years and $100 million, the Oilers signed 21-year-old Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year...

AP Hockey WriterCam Talbot carries Oilers past Ducks 2-1, to 2-0 series leadBy GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, California (AP) While the Anaheim Ducks dominated the puck and peppered the Edmonton net with shots over the final 2 1/2 periods, Cam Talbot stood tall - when he wasn't sprawling, diving or...

Catfish tosser says he was 'dumb redneck with a bad idea'PITTSBURGH (AP) A Tennessee man is calling himself a ''dumb redneck with a bad idea'' after police filed charges against him for throwing a catfish onto the rink in Pittsburgh during the opening of the Stanley Cup Final.Police...

Oilers D Andrew Ference retires after 16-year careerEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Veteran defenseman Andrew Ference, who won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, has announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 seasons.The 38-year-old made his announcement Thursday after spending the past four seasons with Edmonton,...

Blackhawks, D Erik Gustafsson agree to 1-year contractCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a one-year deal with defenseman Erik Gustafsson.The 25-year-old Gustafsson made his NHL debut in 2015 and collected 14 assists in 41 games with the Blackhawks. He also had an assist in five playoff...

Sharks hire Dave Barr as assistant coachSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have hired Dave Barr as an assistant coach on Peter DeBoer's staff.Barr will serve as the team's ''eye in the sky'' this season. Barr had previously worked with DeBoer for four years in New...