NHL

Associated PressDevils open training camp with sense of excitementBy JIM HAGUENEWARK, N.J. (AP) As the New Jersey Devils arrived for the start of training camp Thursday, there was a sense of optimism for the first time in a while.The Devils were 44-29-9 last season and finished with 97...

AP Sports WriterPredators: Support Watson while fighting domestic violenceBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators started training camp explaining why they're keeping a player after the NHL suspended forward Austin Watson for the entire preseason and the first 27 games of the regular season for domestic...

Beards, moustaches now OK for Maple LeafsTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Maple Leafs will be allowed to show up for work a little scruffier this season.General manager Kyle Dubas said Thursday that he's relaxing predecessor Lou Lamoriello's rule banning beards and moustaches.''I want the players to be at their...

Carolina picks Williams as captain; Rask has finger surgeryRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes picked forward Justin Williams as their captain and said center Victor Rask had surgery on two fingers he injured while slicing food in his kitchen.Team officials made the announcements Thursday when the team opened...

Golden Knights trade for Canadiens captain Max PaciorettyLAS VEGAS (AP) The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired All-Star forward Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick.The Stanley Cup runner-up Golden Knights announced the deal Sunday night.Pacioretty was named the...

Associated PressJackpot! Golden Knights get star Pacioretty from CanadiensBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Max Pacioretty is heading from the Original Six to the Sin City.The Vegas Golden Knights acquired the All-Star forward from the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019...

Jackpot! Golden Knights get star Pacioretty from CanadiensLAS VEGAS (AP) The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired All-Star forward Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick.The Stanley Cup runner-up Golden Knights announced the deal Sunday night.Pacioretty was named the...

Associated PressNew Housley campaign ad features NHL Hall of Fame husbandBy STEVE KARNOWSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Republican Karin Housley launched a campaign ad Friday that invokes her husband's hockey celebrity as she tries to close the gap in her race with Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.The ad, which is set...

Bergeron among Bruins players not going on trip to ChinaCHICAGO (AP) Patrice Bergeron and a handful of other Boston Bruins players won't be going to China for a pair of preseason games later this month against the Calgary Flames.Bergeron is still not 100 percent after offseason groin surgery....

AP Hockey WriterTavares' path to free agency is not yet a road for NHL starsBy STEPHEN WHYNOCHICAGO (AP) When John Tavares decided to pass on signing an extension with the New York Islanders and test free agency, he became the most interesting man in hockey.NHL stars don't ordinarily...

Bergeron among Bruins players not going on trip to ChinaCHICAGO (AP) Patrice Bergeron and a handful of other Boston Bruins players won't be going to China for a pair of preseason games later this month against the Calgary Flames.Bergeron is still not 100 percent after offseason groin surgery....

AP Hockey WriterCurrent and former teammates shocked by Schmidt's suspensionBy STEPHEN WHYNOCHICAGO (AP) Marc-Andre Fleury was surprised and T.J. Oshie said he was shocked to see Nate Schmidt suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's performance-enhancing drug policy.Current and former teammates expressed degrees of disbelief about the suspension...