NHL

AP Sports WriterBig Z, Big Question: Will Zdeno Chara return for Bruins?By JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) The Boston Bruins have a very big question looming this offseason.A 6-foot, 9-inch question, to be precise.The Presidents' Trophy winners must try to squeeze another Stanley Cup-contending season out of a core that...

AP Hockey WriterBlues trade goalie Allen to Montreal, clear salary cap spaceBy STEPHEN WHYNOTrading a longtime goaltender who lost his starting job could be the first step toward the St. Louis Blues keeping their Stanley Cup-winning captain.The Blues traded goaltender Jake Allen to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in...

Todd Reirden returns to Penguins as assistant coachPITTSBURGH (AP) Todd Reirden is back with the Pittsburgh Penguins.The team hired Reirden as an assistant coach under Mike Sullivan on Wednesday, just over a week after Reirden was fired as head coach of the Washington Capitals following a playoff loss...

AP Hockey WriterBlues trade goalie Allen to Montreal, clear salary cap spaceBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe St. Louis Blues traded goaltender Jake Allen to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in a move that clears valuable salary cap space to try to keep their Stanley Cup-winning captain.St. Louis received a third- and...

AP Sports WriterPanthers hire Blue Jackets' Bill Zito as general managerBy TIM REYNOLDSThe Florida Panthers spent three weeks searching for a general manager, and it didn't take long for them to suspect that Bill Zito was the best candidate.The more they searched, the more convinced they got.Zito was announced...

Canucks beat Golden Knights 2-1 in Game 5, avoid eliminationEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) A couple of American kids made sure Canada's last team standing in the NHL playoffs will play at least one more game.San Diego native Thatcher Demko made 42 saves in his first NHL playoff start, Minnesota's...

Canucks beat Golden Knights 2-1 in Game 5, avoid eliminationEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Elias Petterson scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, Thatcher Demko made 42 saves in his first NHL playoff start and the Vancouver Canucks staved off elimination by beating the Golden Knights 2-1 Tuesday...

AP Sports WriterConfident Stars, Avs sorting through goalie plans for Game 6By FRED GOODALLDallas remains one victory away from its first berth in a conference finals in more than a decade, so there's no finger-pointing among the Stars after failing to take advantage of their first opportunity to eliminate...

Kings sign Austin Wagner, Carl Grundstrom to extensionsEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Austin Wagner to a three-year, $3.4 million contract extension.The Kings also signed forward Carl Grundstrom to a two-year, $1.45 million extension Tuesday.The 23-year-old Wagner has spent most of the past...

Sabres hire Matt Ellis as player development directorBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Former Buffalo Sabres forward Matt Ellis was hired on Tuesday to become the team's director of player development under new general manager Kevyn Adams.Though it's a first-time NHL job for the former nine-year player, Ellis spent the past...

Kings sign F Austin Wagner to 3-year, $3.4 million extensionEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Austin Wagner to a three-year, $3.4 million contract extension.The Kings announced the deal Tuesday.The 23-year-old Wagner has spent most of the past two seasons with the Kings, who...

Penguins star Sidney Crosby undergoes wrist surgeryPITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery on Monday but should be ready to go well before the start of training camp.The team announced the procedure on Tuesday. It did not specify which wrist was injured. General manager...