NHL

Sabres avoid arbitration by signing Beaulieu to 2-year dealBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu has agreed to a two-year, $4.8 million deal in foregoing the opportunity to have his contract determined at an arbitration hearing.The Sabres announced the agreement on Monday, five days before...

AP Hockey WriterOlympics could be hot topic in next round of NHL CBA talksBy STEPHEN WHYNOGoing to the Olympics was a life-changing experience for T.J. Oshie, a shootout star for the United States against Russia in Sochi.Oshie and dozens, if not hundreds, of NHL stars are disappointed they won't...

Penguins name former star Stevens special assignment scoutPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have hired former star Kevin Stevens as a special assignment scout.The 52-year-old Stevens was a three-time All-Star during his 15-year career with five teams, including eight with the Penguins. Stevens helped Pittsburgh to consecutive Stanley Cups...

AP Sports WriterNashville wants better playoff seed this year for Cup chaseBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators believe they learned a couple of important lessons in reaching the first Stanley Cup final in the franchise's history.Play at home as much as possible.As the second wild-card...

AP Sports WriterPanthers starting over with new coach and new top lineBy TIM REYNOLDSSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Florida general manager Dale Tallon has selective amnesia. To him, how things went for the Panthers last season is no longer worth talking about or even remembering.It's another restart for Florida.With a...

AP Hockey WriterNHL Players to Watch: Sabres Eichel has plenty to proveBy JOHN WAWROWSabres center Jack Eichel isn't mincing words when assessing his first two NHL seasons.''Actually, I think I've proven nothing,'' the 20-year-old face of the franchise said before bluntly outlining his lack of accomplishments.''If you look at...

Winnipeg Jets sign Maurice, Cheveldayoff to extensionsWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Winnipeg Jets co-owner Mark Chipman had no doubt general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Paul Maurice deserved the contract extensions that were announced Thursday.The team has only made the playoffs once since relocating to Winnipeg in 2011 with Cheveldayoff...

AP Hockey WriterExperience not required: Rookie coaches a growing NHL trendBy STEPHEN WHYNORick Tocchet is the kind of coach who doesn't mind if a player calls him at 9 p.m. to share a thought.He doesn't expect that to change as he goes from a Pittsburgh Penguins assistant to head...

Predators name defenseman Roman Josi as 8th captain all-timeNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) General manager David Poile and coach Peter Laviolette noticed how the Predators picked defenseman Roman Josi to drive a sword into the field before the NFL's Tennessee Titans' home opener with the NHL team serving an honorary...

AP Sports WriterCoyotes tab longtime executive Patterson as presidentBy JOHN MARSHALLGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes hired Steve Patterson as president and CEO on Wednesday, hoping the longtime sports executive can help solve their ongoing arena issue.The Coyotes have sought a new arena since the city of Glendale...

Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen shapes up for seasonTORONTO (AP) Goaltender Frederik Andersen has arrived at Maple Leafs training camp leaner than the past, crediting change to his workout regimen and a commitment to analyzing his diet.''I feel more fit and I feel like I have a better build,''...

Kings beat Canucks 4-3 after shootout in ChinaBEIJING (AP) The Los Angeles Kings beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in penalties to win both of the National Hockey League's first-ever preseason games in China.Saturday's game in Beijing caps a push by the NHL to popularize ice hockey in China...