NHL

Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza said having back surgery for a herniated disk was the only way he was going to feel better. "It was really bad," he said. "It got to the point where there was no way I was going to be able to play, so it makes...

AP Hockey WriterNHL Draft: McPhee grows emotional once son picked by OilersBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) As a longtime NHL scout and general manager, George McPhee has had a hand in providing opportunities to countless prospects at the NHL draft.It wasn't until Saturday, when McPhee fully appreciated how...

Sabres sign 2016 2nd-round pick Asplund to 3-year contractBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres have signed prospect forward Rasmus Asplund to a three-year entry level contract.Asplund is from Sweden and was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2016 NHL draft. The 20-year-old had a career-best...

While the Chicago Blackhawks captured the sports world's attention with their record start to the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks cruised right along behind them, waiting for their chance to seize the spotlight. When that opportunity arrived late in the third period Wednesday night, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne absolutely...

AP Sports WriterPreds: Shutting down Pens' stars not possible every gameBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators have shut down the likes of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Getzlaf this postseason.They have slowed down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.Stopping them completely? Even...

AP Sports WriterWild lose Parise for multiple weeks to broken sternumBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild were hit with a major setback in their first-round playoff matchup with Winnipeg, a broken sternum for left wing Zach Parise suffered in the last game that will keep...

Islanders to return to Nassau Coliseum for 1 preseason gameNEW YORK (AP) The Islanders will start the 2017-18 preseason with a game at the scaled-down Nassau Coliseum.The Islanders will host the Flyers on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. The game will mark the first time the team...

AP Hockey WriterBoyle is not alone in fighting cancer and playing hockeyBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhen Phil Kessel got over the initial shock of being diagnosed with cancer and had surgery, he asked doctors, ''When can I play?''When Jason Blake was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, he had the choice of...

Associated PressJames Neal driving force behind Knights' remarkable startBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) The Golden Knights haven't wasted any time in making an impact on the NHL. Fans in large part can thank James Neal for that.Neal has scored the game-winning goal in all three of the Knights'...

Sharks to buy out final year of defenseman Martin's contractSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have placed defenseman Paul Martin on unconditional waivers with the intention to buy out the remaining season of the 14-year NHL veteran's contact.In announcing the decision Friday, general manager Doug Wilson...

AP Sports WriterNHL keeping close eye on virus, limiting employee travelBy TIM REYNOLDSBOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) The NHL is not allowing its employees to make work-related trips outside of North America in response to the global fears over the coronavirus, and if any of those employees go on...

Associated PressJames Neal driving force behind Knights' remarkable startBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) The Golden Knights haven't wasted any time in making an impact on the NHL. Fans in large part can thank James Neal for that.Neal has scored the game-winning goal in all three of the Knights'...