NHL

AP Sports WriterAP source: Sharks closing in on 7-year deal with KaneBy JOSH DUBOWSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks are closing in on a seven-year contract with Evander Kane that will keep the high-scoring forward off the free-agent market.A person familiar with the negotiations says the...

AP Sports WriterMike Sullivan guides Penguins back to conference finalsBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins looked like they needed a day off. Maybe more than one.And yet there the defending Stanley Cup champions were on Tuesday morning, dressed and skating barely 12 hours removed from a listless...

Defending champion Blues found trouble in bubbleEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues were managing their pursuit of a repeat well, carrying the best record in the Western Conference with largely the same roster.Then, with less than a month remaining in the regular season,...

Cave's AHL teammate writes tribute song for memorial fundEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Edmonton Oilers prospect Cooper Marody has written a song in memory of teammate Colby Cave to raise money for a memorial fund.Cave, from Battleford, Saskatchewan, died April 11 in a Toronto hospital after suffering a brain bleed....

AP Sports WriterStan Mikita, who led Blackhawks to 1961 title, dies at 78By JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Hockey great Stan Mikita has died at 78.His death was announced Tuesday by the Chicago Blackhawks, the team he helped lead to the Stanley Cup in 1961. The Blackhawks did not disclose...

AP Sports WriterPredators fight violence against women with new ad, donationBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The numbers of women affected by abuse, sexual assault or domestic violence staggered Sean Henry, president and CEO of the Nashville Predators, the first time he heard them.Then he talked to his...

Associated PressMarc-Andre Fleury inks 3-year extension with KnightsBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) It didn't take long for Marc-Andre Fleury to fall in love with his new hometown during his first season with the Vegas Golden Knights.Now, it looks as though he'll spend the rest of his career here.The...

D Michal Kempny re-signs with Capitals for $10M, 4 yearsARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Defenseman Michal Kempny has re-signed with the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for $10 million over four years.The team announced the deal Friday.Washington picked up Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline for a...

AP Hockey WriterInjured in spring, now healthy NHL stars embrace 2nd chancesBy STEPHEN WHYNOSeth Jones stood on his surgically repaired right ankle as his Blue Jackets teammates practiced and played without him. That took its toll.''It gets mentally draining,'' Jones said.Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos and Pittsburgh All-Star Jake...

Canes' Martinook, de Haan have offseason surgeriesRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook and defenseman Calvin de Haan have had offseason surgeries.General manager Don Waddell said Tuesday that Martinook had a procedure on a core muscle while de Haan's surgery was on his right shoulder.Martinook is expected...

Avalanche bring back defenseman Patrik Nemeth on 1-year dealDENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche are bringing back defenseman Patrik Nemeth on a one-year deal.Nemeth ranked first on the squad with 185 blocked shots last season. He played in a career-high 68 games and had a career-best 15 points, including...

Okposo says he's healthy after concussion put him in ICUBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said he is fully healthy after a concussion led to sleeping trouble, significant weight loss and a trip to intensive care last March.Okposo missed the final few weeks of Buffalo's season with...