NHL

AP Hockey WriterBarzal agrees to 3-year contract, back on ice with IslandersBy STEPHEN WHYNOMathew Barzal couldn't wait to practice again. Yes, practice.He left home to get to New York despite not having a contract so he'd be ready for the start of the season, then watched as Islanders teammates...

AP Sports WriterDevils goalie Corey Crawford retires on eve of NHL seasonBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) Corey Crawford, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win two Stanley Cups, has retired less than three months after signing with the New Jersey Devils and less than a week before the start...

AP Hockey WriterBarzal agrees to 3-year contract, back on ice with IslandersBy STEPHEN WHYNOMathew Barzal joined the New York Islanders on the ice Saturday for his first practice of training camp after agreeing to a $21 million, three-year contract.The 23-year-old star forward missed the first few days of camp...

AP Hockey WriterMathew Barzal agrees to contract, back on ice with IslandersBy STEPHEN WHYNOMathew Barzal joined his New York Islanders on the ice for his first practice of training camp Saturday after agreeing to a contract.The 23-year-old star forward missed the first few days as the NHL's most prominent...

AP Hockey WriterNHL embarks on season that will be like '56 playoff games'By STEPHEN WHYNOThe NHL has started seasons of fewer than 82 games in January and played into the summer to award the Stanley Cup.Just not like this.When the puck drops on the regular season in five rinks...

Red Wings claim D Christian Djoos off waivers from DucksDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings claimed defenseman Christian Djoos off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.The Red Wings announced the move. The 26-year-old Djoos played 11 games for Anaheim and Washington last season, finishing with a goal...

AP Sports WriterAvs, Knights, Blues make realigned West tall at the topBy DAVE CAMPBELLThe team that emerges from the limited-time-only West Division should enter the Stanley Cup semifinals in prime, title-winning position.Like those mountain ranges in the middle of this three time zone conglomerate, coronavirus-driven realignment yielded a division...

Devils announce goalie Crawford taking a leave of absenceNEWARK, N.J. (AP) New Jersey Devils goaltender Corey Crawford has taken an indefinite leave of absence due to undisclosed personal reasons.The Devils made the announcement Friday after a week of uncertainty in which the recently signed 36-year-old goaltender did not...

Virus concerns hit Dallas, Columbus as NHL season loomsBy The Associated PressThe NHL said Friday that six Dallas Stars players and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in a development that will push back the opener for the defending Western Conference champions by nearly a week.The Columbus...

AP Hockey WriterWeeeeee, the North: All-Canadian division stacked with starsBy STEPHEN WHYNOConnor McDavid and Auston Matthews will face off nine times and the Battle of Alberta will play out 10 times in an all-Canadian division never before seen in the NHL.U.S.-Canada border restrictions forced temporary realignment for the 2021...

AP Hockey WriterWeeeeee, the North: All-Canadian division stacked with starsBy STEPHEN WHYNOConnor McDavid and Auston Matthews will face off nine times and the Battle of Alberta will play out 10 times in an all-Canadian division never before seen in the NHL.U.S.-Canada border restrictions forced temporary realignment for the 2021...

AP Sports WriterClose to Home: NHL's East Division has unfriendly neighborsBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Flyers fans have posted photos of Sidney Crosby in arena urinals, an uncouth custom to let the Penguins' star know he will never be No. 1 in Philly.''Crosby Sucks!'' chants echo louder in Philadelphia...