NHL

Wild split with GM Chuck Fletcher after playoff exitST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have split with longtime general manager Chuck Fletcher after the team's first-round playoff exit.Wild owner Craig Leipold said Monday the team will not renew Fletcher's contract.Leipold said Fletcher and his staff ''built a...

Jackets' Foligno suspended 3 games for hit on BellemareCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The NHL has suspended Columbus forward Nick Foligno for three games for a hit that leveled Colorado Avalanche forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.The Department of Player Safety announced the penalty for the Blue Jackets captain on Monday.Foligno dropped Bellemare...

AP Hockey WriterPlayoff disappointments make Cup parade sweeter for CapitalsBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Nine early playoff exits paved the way for the Capitals' unexpected Stanley Cup run and made the trip down Constitution Avenue all the more satisfying to the NHL champions and their fans.Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas...

Coyotes get D Niklas Hjalmarsson in trade with BlackhawksCHICAGO (AP) The Arizona Coyotes acquired Niklas Hjalmarsson in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, adding a dependable defenseman during a time of turmoil for the franchise.The 30-year-old Hjalmarsson had spent his entire 10-year career with Chicago, helping...

AP Hockey WriterIslanders, winger Jordan Eberle agree to $27.5M, 5-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOJordan Eberle calling free agency a ''last resort'' must be music to the ears of the New York Islanders and their fans after what happened a year ago.Eberle on Friday agreed to terms on a $27.5 million,...

AP Sports WriterPastrnak's NHL-best 38th goal caps 6-1 Bruins romp past WildBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Boston Bruins used the break to recharge their power play. The time off sure didn't slow David Pastrnak down. Then again, few opponents have done that this season.The NHL scoring...

AP Sports WriterNashville helps Preds' celebrate history with 1st Cup FinalBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The town known as Music City sure knows how to throw a party, and thousands of people turned out to mark a bit of history Saturday night as Nashville hosted the first...

AP Sports WriterWith Laviolette, Preds find offensive payoff in postseasonBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Three years ago, general manager David Poile let the only coach the Predators had ever known in Barry Trotz leave and hired Peter Laviolette to inject more offense into the Nashville lineup.The payoff...

AP Sports WriterPredators include no-movement clause in Josi's 8-year dealBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators finally have their captain Roman Josi signed to a long-term deal, and general manager David Poile is so confident in the defenseman's future he included a rare no movement clause...

Cave's AHL teammate writes tribute song for memorial fundEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Edmonton Oilers prospect Cooper Marody has written a song in memory of teammate Colby Cave to raise money for a memorial fund.Cave, from Battleford, Saskatchewan, died April 11 in a Toronto hospital after suffering a brain bleed....

Devils dedicate statue to goaltender Martin BrodeurNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have dedicated a statue outside Prudential Arena to longtime goaltender Martin Brodeur.The 44-year-old Brodeur was honored prior to the Devils' game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night in a ceremony attended by a couple...

CHICAGO (AP) Blackhawks forward Tyler Motte will be sidelined for two to three weeks with a lower body injury. Motte got hurt when he was ridden into the boards by Dallas Stars forward Radek Faksa during the second period of Chicago's 4-3 overtime win on Sunday night. The 21-year-old Motte was...