NHL

AP Hockey WriterRangers, Brendan Smith agree to $17M, 4-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Brendan Smith signed a $17 million, four-year deal with the Rangers, solidifying New York's blue line and setting the market for free agent defensemen.Smith will count $4.35 million against the salary cap through the 2020-21...

Blue Jackets buy out Hartnell to free salary cap spaceCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Columbus Blue Jackets have bought out the final two years of 35-year-old forward Scott Hartnell's contract, opening up salary cap space to possibly sign another free agent.Hartnell would have cost the team $4.75 million against...

Oilers buying out Pouliot as they keep clearing cap spaceEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Benoit Pouliot on unconditional waivers with the purposes of buying out his contract.Pouliot had two years left at a salary-cap hit of $4 million. By buying out Pouliot, Edmonton saves...

AP Hockey WriterRangers, Brendan Smith agree to $17M, 4-year dealBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) The New York Rangers have agreed to terms on a $17 million, four-year deal with Brendan Smith.The defenseman will count $4.35 million against the salary cap in each season of the new contract.General manager Jeff...

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...

1980s Oilers enforcer Dave Semenko dies of cancer at 59EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Former Edmonton Oilers tough guy Dave Semenko, who protected Wayne Gretzky in the 1980s, has died. He was 59.The Oilers say Semenko died after a short battle with cancer. A team spokesman said Semenko died in...

St. Louis re-signs Paajarvi on 1-year, $800,000 dealST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis has re-signed forward Magnus Paajarvi to a one-year, one-way contract worth $800,000Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced the deal Thursday. The 26-year-old Paajarvi split last season between the Blues and the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.Paajarvi,...

1980s Oilers enforcer Dave Semenko dies of cancer at 59EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Dave Semenko, the Edmonton Oilers tough guy who protected Wayne Gretzky during the 1980s, has died. He was 59.He died in Edmonton after a short battle with cancer, the team said Thursday.''His legendary toughness on the...

Wild sign defenseman Gustav Olofsson to 2-year, $1.45M dealST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild have agreed with defenseman Gustav Olofsson on a two-year, $1.45 million contract.The deal Monday came after Olofsson was one of eight restricted free agents receiving qualifying offers. Olofsson will make $675,000 this season...

Oilers sign forward Zack Kassian to 3-year extensionEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Zack Kassian to a three-year contract extension.Kassian, 26, appeared in 79 games with the Oilers last season, finishing with 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) and 101 penalty minutes. He added three...

AP Sports WriterNew Jersey Devils putting no pressure on Nico HischierBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) As Nico Hischier is discovering, being taken No. 1 in the NHL Draft has its perks.Since being selected by the New Jersey Devils with the top pick Friday night, Hischier has flown from...

Buffalo Sabres hire Sexton, Greeley to assistant GM jobsBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill continued filling out his staff by hiring Randy Sexton and Steve Greeley as assistant GMs.Their responsibilities will include player development and overseeing Buffalo's minor-league affiliates, with Sexton also named GM of...