NHL

Canadiens sign defenseman Jeff Petry to 4-year extensionMONTREAL (AP) The Montreal Canadiens on Friday signed defenseman Jeff Petry to a four-year extension at an average of $6.25 million a year.The 32-year-old Petry had 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 71 games last season. Petry was Montreal's hits...

Hurricanes' Hamilton misses camp practice; status unclearRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes All-Star defenseman Dougie Hamilton didn't practice Thursday and his status is unclear as the team prepares for the return to play next week.The team's website reported Wednesday that Hamilton left that day's practice early ''in some visible...

AP Hockey WriterCarlson signing is first domino to fall in NHL free agencyBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe first big free agent re-signing with his own team is just the beginning of what's to come around the NHL.Defenseman John Carlson signed a $64 million, eight-year deal with the Stanley Cup champion Washington...

Blues fire coach Ken Hitchcock, promote Mike YeoST. LOUIS (AP) The Blues abruptly fired coach Ken Hitchcock on Wednesday, cutting short the veteran's final season in St. Louis and putting coach-in-waiting Mike Yeo in charge of the underperforming team months earlier than planned.General manager Doug Armstrong announced the...

AP Sports WriterDaly: 2022 China Games possible for NHL, but long way offBy JIM VERTUNOAUSTIN, Texas (AP) NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says participation in the 2022 Olympics in China is possible but not essential to the league's efforts to grow the sport in the world's largest country.The...

NEW YORK (AP) The NHL and NHL Players' Association have unveiled a ''Declaration of Principles'' to guide hockey culture across various levels of the sport. The principles were unveiled at a news conference Wednesday that included representatives from 17 other organizations, including USA Hockey and the International Ice Hockey Federation....

Associated PressBookmaker opens sports lounge in Devils hockey arenaBy WAYNE PARRYATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) New Jersey's rapidly growing sports betting market is extending its reach into a professional hockey arena, even as it adds a seventh Atlantic City casino to the fold.Bookmaker William Hill US said it plans...

AP Sports WriterTuch scores 2 early, Golden Knights beat Rangers 4-1By VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) The Vegas Golden Knights got off to a fast start with two quick goals to start the game, then added two more early in the second period. That was enough to get...

Associated PressBruins' Patrice Bergeron returns for Game 5By MATT KALMANBOSTON (AP) Bruins center Patrice Bergeron was back on the ice for Game 5 of Boston's first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.Bergeron missed the Bruins' 3-1 Game 4 victory Thursday with an undisclosed injury. The Bruins lead...

Red Wings assign Smith to Grand RapidsDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings have removed forward Givani Smith from injured reserve and assigned him to Grand Rapids of the AHL.The Red Wings announced the move Friday.The 21-year-old Smith has appeared in five games with the Red Wings this season....

Associated PressSubban excited with trade to DevilsBy JIM HAGUENEWARK, N.J. (AP) P.K. Subban wasn't exactly shocked Saturday when the six-time NHL defenseman was traded from the Nashville Predators to the New Jersey Devils.''I've been through the process before,'' Subban said in a conference call with the media Sunday....

AP Hockey WriterKarlsson among those choosing to stay put, avoid free agencyBy STEPHEN WHYNOErik Karlsson wanted some time and space.When the San Jose Sharks acquired the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman in a trade last September, he and his wife told them up front they wouldn't sign a long-term contract until...