NHL

DALLAS (AP) Ken Hitchcock feels like he is coming home with his return to the Dallas Stars, more than 15 years after they fired the coach who led them to their only Stanley Cup championship. Hitchcock also knows his re-introduction to Dallas is about now - not then. ''I study history....

AP Hockey WriterSome family joins bubble, NHL waiting on Canadian governmentBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The NHL is allowing some family members to join the Edmonton playoff bubble but is waiting on the Canadian government on the possibility of adding more.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press...

NHL player representatives sound off on playoff formatBy The Associated PressIn an Associated Press and Canadian Press survey of player representatives from all 31 NHL teams, 48.4% favored changing the current divisional playoff format. A selection of player responses:--''In my opinion, I prefer the 1 plays 8 format. Divisions...

AP Hockey WriterNHL free agents take high-priced hit in stagnant cap eraBy JOHN WAWROWAside from defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner attracting $20-plus-million contracts, NHL free agency isn't what it used to be. Not in a stagnant salary-cap era.Though plenty of players switched teams once the signing period opened...

AP Sports WriterPanthers' Barkov invests in his former Finnish clubBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Aleksander Barkov started his hockey life as a 4-year-old for the Tappara club in his hometown of Tampere, Finland.Two decades later, Barkov is investing in his roots.The Florida Panthers' captain has become the third-largest investor...

MONTREAL (AP) Golfer Jack Nicklaus stopped by the Canadiens dressing room Tuesday night and delivered a pregame pep talk about being prepared and not trying to do too much. Carey Price responded with more of his usual excellence, and Montreal did just enough to beat the rival Boston Bruins. Price stopped...

AP Sports WriterTurnabout for Stars, Blues complete with 2nd-round showdownBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) When first-year Dallas Stars coach Jim Montgomery called out his team over a "culture of mediocrity" in January, the St. Louis Blues weren't too far removed from having the worst record in the NHL.Now the...

Red Wings agree to 1-year extensions with Erne, HiroseDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings agreed to terms Thursday on one-year contract extensions with forwards Adam Erne and Taro Hirose.Erne had two goals and three assists in 56 games this past season. Detroit acquired him from Tampa Bay in...

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...

AP Sports WriterWith Chara hurt, Bruins need help on D in Stanley Cup Game 5By JIMMY GOLENBEDFORD, Mass. (AP) The Boston Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final despite a run of regular-season injuries that prevented anyone on the roster from playing all 82 games.Now comes the real test.The...

AP Hockey WriterWelcome to Hockeywood: NHL All-Stars converge for LA partyBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Sidney Crosby only took a few steps into the lobby of his downtown Los Angeles hotel Friday before he was besieged by a bevy of sprinting fans. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain signed what...

AP Hockey WriterKim Pegula to AP: Botterill returning as Sabres' GMBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill has ownership’s backing to return for a fourth season despite overseeing a team that will miss the playoffs for a ninth consecutive year, team president and co-owner...