NHL

Oilers star Connor McDavid cleared to practiceEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid was cleared for practice and didn't require a non-contact jersey as the team hit the ice Friday for the first time in training camp.''I feel good,'' McDavid said after playing on a line with...

Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien granted leave of absenceWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Veteran defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has been granted a leave of absence by the Winnipeg Jets and there is no timetable for his return.As expected, restricted free agent forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor did not show up for the...

AP Sports WriterAfter short summer, Hurricanes optimistic to start campBy JOEDY McCREARYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Defenseman Brett Pesce and the Carolina Hurricanes zipped up and down the ice again, less than four months after wrapping up last season way later than usual.For a team that suffered through plenty of...

Blackhawks defenseman de Haan ruled out for start of campCHICAGO (AP) Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan has been ruled out for the start of training camp with his new team and he is expected to miss two to three weeks.The 28-year-old de Haan is coming back from right...

Flyers sign defenseman Ivan Provorov to 6-year dealPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Ivan Provorov to a six-year, $40.5 million contract.The deal on Friday with the 22-year-old restricted free agent from Russia has an average annual value of $6.75 million.Provorov has 30 goals and 97 points...

AP Sports WriterBlue Jackets look to move past drama of departing starsBy MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The offseason drama churned up by the exodus of some of their top stars is now behind the Columbus Blue Jackets.Now they open training camp with some burning questions.Can veteran Joonas Korpisalo,...

Associated PressPenguins excited for fresh start after disappointing finishBy DAN SCIFOCRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited for a fresh start.Sidney Crosby and the Penguins became the first team in a generation to win consecutive championships a little more than two years ago. But the Penguins...

Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien granted leave of absenceWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Veteran defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has been granted a leave of absence by the Winnipeg Jets and there is no timetable for his return.As expected, restricted free agent forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor did not show up for the...

AP Sports WriterAvs forward Mikko Rantanen in Finland with no deal imminentBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon have a spot open on their top line.For the moment, anyway, until things are resolved with their third dimension, Mikko Rantanen.The Colorado Avalanche are about to open training...

AP Sports WriterBruins' goal clear after Stanley Cup Final disappointmentBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) ??? Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has one more tool available this year as he tries to take the team from Stanley Cup finalist to NHL champion.Street cred.Armed with a contract extension and an updated resume...

AP Sports WriterIslanders look to keep improving in 2nd year under TrotzBy VIN A. CHERWOOEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) The New York Islanders know about the moves other teams in the Metropolitan Division made in the offseason. It just doesn't matter to them.After finishing second in the division and...

Panthers' Barkov still feels sting of disappointing seasonSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) For Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov agony and anguish were constant companions this summer.Despite outstanding individual numbers, reflecting on his season wasn't fun for Barkov - and watching hockey on TV just made him feel worse.The Panthers fell...