NHL

Mike Babcock has made his decision: He is headed to Toronto. The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the hiring of Babcock on Wednesday afternoon, ending months of speculation as to where the veteran coach would land. Babcock will be introduced at a news conference scheduled for Thursday. Babcock cashed in on his...

Rangers agree to terms with defenseman Brendan SmithNEW YORK (AP) The New York Rangers have agreed to terms on a new deal with defenseman Brendan Smith.General manager Jeff Gorton announced the deal Thursday. Smith was set to be an unrestricted free agent Saturday.Smith, 28, would have been one...

AP Hockey WriterBruins, Lightning among top challengers to Capitals in EastBy STEPHEN WHYNOIt seems like no one in the Eastern Conference wants to be considered the team to beat.Taylor Hall relishes that his Devils were counted out last year before making the playoffs. Alex Ovechkin would love for all...

AP Sports WriterFlyers score 4 in the 2nd period, top Golden Knights 6-2By DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Kevin Hayes, Michael Raffl, Matt Niskanen and Oskar Lindblom all scored in the second period to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night.The...

Associated PressMarchessault nets shootout winner, Vegas beats Ottawa 3-2By W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Mark Stone stood at his locker, shook his head and gave a sigh of relief.''I didn't want to lose that game,'' Stone said. ''Being honest.''And that is why Stone was the first player onto the...

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...

Landeskog out indefinitely with lower-body injuryENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Colorado Avalanche say captain Gabriel Landeskog is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.The team announced the news Tuesday before practice. Colorado's top line already is missing forward Mikko Rantanen after he suffered a lower-body injury last week.Landeskog has three...

AP Sports WriterDifferent role, setting for Ken Hitchcock in 2nd Stars stintBy STEPHEN HAWKINSFRISCO, Texas (AP) The first time Ken Hitchcock became the Dallas Stars coach more than two decades ago, his role and the setting were much different in a southern market that was still pretty fresh...

AP Hockey WriterJets jump on Golden Knights early, open series with 4-1 winBy LARRY LAGEWINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Dustin Byfuglien scored about a minute after the puck dropped and the Winnipeg Jets built a three-goal lead early in the first period and went on to beat the Vegas Golden...

Former NHL star apologizes for crossing picket lineNORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) A former NHL star is apologizing for crossing a picket line to shop at a Massachusetts supermarket where workers are on strike.Former Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque was caught on video exiting a North...

Visit by Stephenson, Stanley Cup stirs emotion in HumboldtHUMBOLDT, Saskatchewan (AP) A small Saskatchewan city devastated by a fatal bus crash involving its junior hockey team welcomed a trophy on Friday that fans no doubt hoped would one day be hoisted by one of their boys.Washington Capitals forward...

AP Hockey WriterNHL, retired players reach $19M concussions settlementBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe National Hockey League announced a tentative $18.9 million settlement Monday with more than 300 retired players who sued the league and accused it of failing to protect them from head injuries or warn them of the risks involved...