NHL

AP Hockey WriterSabres demote under-performing center Mittelstadt to minorsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Sabres have assigned under-performing second-year center Casey Mittelstadt to the minors.The demotion to Rochester of the AHL was made Sunday, coming a day following a 3-2 overtime loss at the New York Islanders...

AP Hockey WriterAP source: Eichel, Sabres negotiating potential 8-year dealBy JOHN WAWROWPITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) A person familiar with negotiations tells The Associated Press the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel are discussing a contract extension that could run the NHL maximum eight years.The person spoke on the condition of...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenseman Ben Hutton to a two-year, $5.6 million extension. The 23-year-old is in his second NHL season with Vancouver and has two goals and two assists in 20 games in 2016-17. Selected 147th overall at the 2012 draft, Hutton was one of...

Associated PressJones makes 28 saves, Sharks beat struggling Kings 2-0By GIDEON RUBINSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have time to make up ground in the Pacific Division. If their most recent effort is a harbinger of what they're capable of after the Christmas break, they like...

A decision on whether NHL players will head to the 2014 Sochi Olympics isn't likely to be reached this week. Discussions were scheduled for Thursday and Friday between the NHL, the NHL players' association, and officials from the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee to see if...

Burns lifts Sharks past Oilers 3-2 for 2nd win in 11 gamesEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Brent Burns had a goal and an assist as the San Jose Sharks got a bit of relief from a late season funk with a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.Marcus...

Hoffman scores in OT, Senators edge Stars 3-2 for 3rd in rowOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) With their own playoff hopes long gone, the Ottawa Senators are taking great satisfaction in making life harder for those still fighting for a spot.Mike Hoffman scored his 22nd goal at 3:26 of overtime...

Dany Heatley found it all too fitting that he reached the 400-assist mark for his career with two "passes" off the post. Known more for his shot, the Minnesota Wild forward clanged a pair of line drives off the goal post, only to have the puck carom straight to...

AP Hockey WriterNHL's top draft prospect staying patient amid uncertaintyBy JOHN WAWROWAlexis Lafreniere could never have envisioned ending his prolific junior hockey career in such an anticlimactic setting.There was no final buzzer, and the NHL's projected top draft prospect was nowhere near an ice rink Wednesday. Lafreniere was instead...

Nashville 0 1 0-1N.Y. Rangers 1 1 2-4First Period-1, N.Y. Rangers, Staal 5 (Zuccarello, Brassard), 6:36.Second Period-2, N.Y. Rangers, Kreider 17 (Zuccarello, Brassard), 4:14. 3, Nashville, Cullen 7 (Beck, Santorelli), 15:24.Third Period-4, N.Y. Rangers, Moore 6 (Girardi, Glass), 5:51. 5,...

AP Sports WriterSheahan scores twice, Penguins beat Blue Jackets 5-2By MITCH STACYCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins won without goals from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin or the other three top scorers. Instead, they created opportunities for some guys who are usually in the background.Third-line center Riley Sheahan scored...

Maple Leafs cruise to 4-1 victory over OilersEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Frederik Andersen made 36 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs powered their way to a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.Alexander Kerfoot had a goal and an assist for Toronto, which has won three of...