NHL

AP Hockey WriterCaps' Ovechkin leaner if not lighter going into 14th seasonBy STEPHEN WHYNOCHICAGO (AP) Alex Ovechkin doesn't think he's any lighter going into his 14th NHL training camp.''The same 260,'' he said.That might be a slight exaggeration for a player listed at 235 pounds, though the Washington...

Carolina signs D Jake Gardiner to 4-year dealRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year contract.Under terms of the deal announced Friday by Carolina general manager Don Waddell, Gardiner will make an average of $4.05 million each season.The 29-year-old Gardiner had three...

AP Hockey WriterIn NHL first, 4 women selected to officiate prospect gamesBy JOHN WAWROWThe NHL for the first time selected four female officials to work on the ice at prospect tournaments held this weekend.Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke were selected as referees, while Kirsten Welsh and Kendall Hanley will...

AP Sports WriterJoe Thornton, 40, signs 1-year, $2 million deal with SharksBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Joe Thornton is coming back for another season at age 40, signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday after briefly contemplating retirement at the end...

AP Hockey WriterIn NHL first, 4 women selected to officiate prospect gamesBy JOHN WAWROWThe NHL for the first time has selected four female officials to work on the ice at several prospect tournaments being held this weekend.Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke have been selected as referees, while Kirsten Walsh...

AP Sports WriterSharks sign 40-year-old Joe Thornton to 1-year, $2M dealBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Joe Thornton is coming back for another season at age 40, signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday after briefly contemplating retirement at the end of...

AP Hockey WriterIn NHL first, 4 women selected to officiate prospect gamesBy JOHN WAWROWThe NHL for the first time has selected four female officials to work on the ice at several prospect tournaments being held this weekend.Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke have been selected as referees, while Kirsten Walsh...

AP Hockey WriterJack Hughes shows smarts in Devils prospects' losing debutBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Rookie center Jack Hughes need not be too disappointed over the dud he and the New Jersey Devils produced in the No. 1 draft pick's debut in an NHL competitive setting Friday night.Overlooking...

AP Sports WriterJoe Thornton, 40, signs 1-year, $2 million deal with SharksBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Joe Thornton is coming back for another season at age 40, signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday after briefly contemplating retirement at the end...

AP Hockey WriterIn NHL first, 4 women selected to officiate prospect gamesBy JOHN WAWROWThe NHL for the first time selected four female officials to work on the ice at prospect tournaments held this weekend.Katie Guay and Kelly Cooke were selected as referees, while Kirsten Welsh and Kendall Hanley will...

Carolina signs defenseman Jake Gardiner to 4-year dealRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year contract.Under terms of the deal announced Friday by Carolina general manager Don Waddell, Gardiner will make an average of $4.05 million each season.''He's a great player. He's...

AP Hockey WriterNHL expands reach into Russia with new streaming dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOCHICAGO (AP) Vladimir Tarasenko is thankful for the internet because it allows his grandfather back home in Russia to watch NHL games.Starting this season, Tarasenko's grandfather and the rest of Russia will be able to watch...