NHL

AP Hockey WriterLockout looming? NHL is 1 year away from key labor deadlineBy STEPHEN WHYNOConnor McDavid heard teammates talking about another potential lockout when he entered the NHL - in 2015.As he became one of hockey's best players and signed the richest annual contract in the league, McDavid says...

AP Hockey WriterNHL players not rushing back to rinks for voluntary skatesBy STEPHEN WHYNOJohn Tavares took his sticks home from the rink in Toronto to tape them up so he wouldn’t waste his limited time there.Across the border, Andrew Copp is waiting things out in the U.S. before returning...

AP Hockey WriterEichel's frustrations eased after Sabres beat CapitalsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres center Jack Eichel was in a far better mood to end Tuesday than he was opening it.A win - especially one over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals - eased the frustrations Buffalo's franchise...

AP Hockey WriterDisappointing Game 7 loss leaves Flyers with major questionsBy STEPHEN WHYNOLong after being the hottest team in the NHL and resembling a Stanley Cup contender in February and March, Philadelphia won its first four games when hockey resumed as if it hadn't missed a beat.The Flyers earned...

Blackhawks hire Samuelsson, Granato as assistant coachesCHICAGO (AP) Former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and Don Granato are joining coach Joel Quenneville's staff in Chicago, giving the Blackhawks a fresh perspective after they were swept in the first round of the playoffs this year.The 53-year Samuelsson was the head...

Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk dies of cancer at 57By The Associated PressDale Hawerchuk, a hockey phenom who became the face of the Winnipeg Jets en route to the Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer.The Ontario Hockey League's Barrie...

Oilers sign Kris Versteeg to professional tryout contractEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Edmonton Oilers signed veteran NHL forward Kris Versteeg to a professional tryout contract Friday.The 30-year-old Versteeg, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, split last season with Carolina and Los Angeles, finishing with 15 goals...

AP Hockey WriterBeau knows: Isles use structure, young skill to advanceBy STEPHEN WHYNOAnthony Beauvillier paid the price for scoring when he absorbed a big hit from Tom Wilson into one of the goalposts. He shook off the pain and returned to the game.From start to finish, the play on...

DALLAS (AP) Dallas extended its lead atop the NHL Central Division to nine points by beating Nashville 5-1 on Thursday, helped by rookie Mattias Janmark scoring his sixth December goal to break a tie late in the second period.Tyler Seguin added two insurance goals in the third period...

AP Sports WriterHitting the jackpot: Knights sweep Kings with 1-0 winBy BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) The Golden Knights want a Stanley Cup title to conclude their already amazing inaugural season in the NHL.Vegas is on its way, beating the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on Tuesday night and becoming...

Kucherov, Lightning beat Canucks 5-2 in fight-filled gameVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Once all the fighting was finally done, the Tampa Bay Lightning looked up and found themselves in a familiar position: ahead on the scoreboard.Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist to reach 50 points this season...

AP Hockey WriterBarzal sparks offense as Islanders advance past PanthersBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) Mathew Barzal can appreciate how the New York Islanders' identity is built around being defensively sound.In centering New York's top line, Barzal also knows it's his role to contribute on offense, too.Acknowledging it took him...