NHL

AP Hockey WriterNHL's Hank Williams? Green Day song may be new hockey anthemBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL could be on the way to its version of ''Are You Ready For Some Football?''The league is announcing a two-year partnership with Green Day that includes an opening song for NBC Sports' ''Wednesday...

Red Wings put Justin Abdelkader on buyout waiversNEW YORK (AP) NHL teams continue to clear salary cap space with free agency starting later this week.The Detroit Red Wings placed forward Justin Abdelkader on unconditional waivers Tuesday for the purpose of buying out his contract. The Montreal Canadiens did...

AP Hockey WriterKuznetsov's 4-point night helps Capitals beat Golden KnightsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Evgeny Kuznetsov continued his dominance against the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring a goal and assisting on three more as part of a 5-2 Washington Capitals victory Wednesday night in a rematch of last season's Stanley...

AP Sports WriterBlues rally for 5-4 overtime win over BlackhawksBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) If the St. Louis Blues somehow find a way into the playoffs in their final 10 games, they definitely will remember this weekend.Patrik Berglund scored 3:31 into overtime, and the Blues rallied for a big...

Coyotes sign Schmaltz to 7-year contract extensionGLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Coyotes have signed Nick Schmaltz to a seven-year contract extension.Financial terms of the deal announced Saturday were not disclosed.The 23-year-old Schmaltz arrived in the desert in a November trade that sent forward Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini...

AP Hockey WriterYoung Leafs overflowing with Cup potential Capitals once hadBy STEPHEN WHYNOANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) William Nylander fondly recalls messing around on the ice with Alex Ovechkin as an 11-year-old when his dad, Michael, played for the Washington Capitals.''I have some good memories,'' Nylander said.Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom...

Carlson, Hedman and Josi named NHL Norris Trophy finalistsBy The Associated PressWashington's John Carlson, Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman and Nashville's Roman Josi have been named the finalists for the NHL's James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's top defenseman.The finalists were announced Monday, and voted on by members...

AP Hockey WriterTippett joins NHL Seattle expansion group as senior adviserBy STEPHEN WHYNOFormer NHL coach Dave Tippett has signed on as senior adviser for the group looking to put an expansion team in Seattle.Tippett confirmed the move to The Associated Press on Monday after it was first reported by...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals fire coach Todd Reirden after 2 postseason letdownsBy STEPHEN WHYNOBack-to-back early playoff exits were enough to make the Washington Capitals realize they made a mistake.In the two years since promoting top assistant Todd Reirden instead of giving Stanley Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz a raise, they've been...

AP Sports WriterCrazy intro over, Pens newcomers McCann, Bjugstad settle inBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) It wasn't the hastily arranged private plane ride from Miami to Pittsburgh. Or the police escort from the airport to PPG Paints Arena. It wasn't the sight of a black-and-gold jersey with his name...

Joel Quenneville, Bruce Boudreau and Paul MacLean have been announced as the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, given to the head coach who has contributed most to his team's success. Quenneville led Chicago to a league-best 36-7-5 mark after opening the season by earning a point in each...

AP Sports WriterQuinn: Rangers' job is an 'opportunity I could not pass up'By VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) David Quinn had been contacted by other NHL teams in recent years, and chose to remain at Boston University. When the New York Rangers came calling, it was different.As talks...