NHL

AP Hockey WriterCrosby vs. McDavid is hot debate for best player in hockeyBy STEPHEN WHYNOWhen Connor McDavid stepped on the ice for his first NHL training camp, Taylor Hall already knew hockey's ''Next One'' was the best player out there.When Sidney Crosby stayed on the ice late after practice,...

NHL stars pick between Crosby, McDavid as best playerBy The Associated PressThe Associated Press asked 30 top NHL players to name the best hockey player in the world. One catch: players couldn't pick a teammate. Sidney Crosby received 21 votes, Connor McDavid six, Erik Karlsson 1, two players couldn't...

Associated PressIslanders make bid to leave Brooklyn and return to suburbsBy FRANK ELTMANMINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) The New York Islanders have made a bid to return to the New York City suburbs.The National Hockey League team that moved from Long Island to Brooklyn two years ago submitted a bid...

AP Sports WriterNashville wants better playoff seed this year for Cup chaseBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Nashville Predators believe they learned a couple of important lessons in reaching the first Stanley Cup final in the franchise's history.Play at home as much as possible.As the second wild-card...

AP Sports WriterNo. 2 pick Patrick key in uncertain Flyers' futureBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Flyers bet their future on Nolan Patrick.But for the present, Philadelphia is a team unsure of its identity: Does it believe it can get one more playoff push out of stalwarts Claude...

AP Sports WriterPanthers starting over with new coach and new top lineBy TIM REYNOLDSSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Florida general manager Dale Tallon has selective amnesia. To him, how things went for the Panthers last season is no longer worth talking about or even remembering.It's another restart for Florida.With a...

AP Hockey WriterCapitals need to 'step up' to remain Stanley Cup contendersBy STEPHEN WHYNOARLINGTON, Va. (AP) Facing some salary-cap math that wasn't pretty, the Washington Capitals took a beating in the offseason with the loss of several significant contributors.Now they go about the unenviable task of trying to...

Panthers hoping to get back into the NHL playoff mixBy The Associated PressFLORIDA PANTHERSLAST SEASON: 35-36-11, 81 points. Finished 13th in Eastern Conference.COACH: Bob Boughner (first season, first NHL season).ADDED: RW Evgeny Davydov, RW; RW Radim Vrbata, LW Henrik Haapala.LOST: RW Jaromir Jagr, RW Reilly Smith, RW Jonathan Marchessault,...

Golden Knights expecting to be competitive in first seasonBy The Associated PressLAS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTSEXPANSION: The Golden Knights are the first NHL expansion team since the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild in 2000.COACH: Gerard Gallant (first season, seventh NHL season).PLAYER TO WATCH: LW James Neal. He's been a...

Predators eager to finish off what they missed last seasonBy The Associated PressNASHVILLE PREDATORSLAST SEASON: 41-29-12, 94 points. Fourth in Central Division. Lost to Pittsburgh Penguins in Stanley Cup Final.COACH: Peter Laviolette (fourth season, 16th NHL season).ADDED: C Nick Bonino, F Scott Hartnell, D Alexei Emelin.LOST: F James Neal,...

AP Sports WriterGolden Knights ready to light up VegasBy JOHN MARSHALLThe Vegas Golden Knights have been the hit of Sin City, exciting a fan base that finally has a professional sports team to root for.After months of buildup, it's finally time to show what they can do on the...

AP Hockey WriterIn first full year under Yeo, Blues' sights still on CupBy STEPHEN WHYNOVladimir Tarasenko told the St. Louis Blues he wants to lead them to another level.After a sixth consecutive playoff appearance without a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, what is the next level for the...