NHL

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings will start the season without a key defenseman.The team said Friday that defenseman Danny DeKeyser will be out three to four weeks with a sprained ligament in his left foot.DeKeyser was hurt in the third period of Wednesday night's game against at...

AP Hockey WriterJets, Dustin Byfuglien agree to terminate his contractBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien on Friday agreed to mutually terminate the veteran defenseman's contract after a lengthy dispute.Byfuglien was suspended in September for failing to report to training camp and filed a grievance through the NHL...

Associated PressAvalanche stay in playoff hunt with 3-1 win over WildBy TYLER MASONST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Colorado Avalanche have little margin for error as they chase a playoff spot with nine games remaining.They got a much-needed victory Tuesday night against the team just ahead of them in...

Ducks forward Nick Ritchie ejected in Game 6 vs. PredatorsNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Anaheim Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie was ejected from Monday night's Game 6 Western Conference Final game against the Nashville Predators at 11:38 of the opening period after delivering a hard check to Nashville forward Viktor...

AP Hockey WriterHurricanes coach Brind'Amour 'moving on' after fined by NHLBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) Rod Brind'Amour wasn't going to risk another $25,000 fine from the NHL.The Carolina Hurricanes coach provided a short, four-word answer, Thursday, when asked if he had anything more to add a day after being...

Flames edge Pens, equal team mark with 10th straight winCALGARY, Alberta (AP) Kris Versteeg and the Calgary Flames equaled a team record Monday night that was set long before any of their current players were born.Versteeg had two assists and scored the shootout winner as the Flames beat...

Islanders sign fifth-round draft pick Sebastian AhoNEW YORK (AP) The New York Islanders have signed Swedish defenseman Sebastian Aho to a three-year entry level contract.The team announced the signing of the recent fifth-round draft pick Wednesday.Aho had career highs in goals (10), assists (20), points (30) and games...

Devils sign No. 1 overall pick Nico HischierNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have signed No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier to the maximum three-year, entry-level contract for salary and performance bonuses.The Devils said Saturday that Hischier will have an average salary of $925,000.The 18-year-old Swiss forward...

AP Hockey WriterDaly: December earliest NHL would vote on Seattle expansionBy STEPHEN WHYNOCHICAGO (AP) December is the earliest the NHL Board of Governors will vote on potential expansion to Seattle, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday.Daly also called it ''doubtful'' any formal vote will happen on a...

AP Hockey WriterMaple Leafs among NHL teams facing cap crunches next yearBy JOHN WAWROWThere are questions Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock won't touch with a 10-foot hockey stick.The challenge a team brimming with young talent faces in managing its payroll structure was one topic Babcock particularly enjoyed sidestepping...

Associated PressMax Pacioretty on pace for career-best season in VegasBy W.G. RAMIREZLAS VEGAS (AP) Max Pacioretty is putting on an offensive showcase for the Vegas Golden Knights this season.The 31-year-old forward leads the team in points (44) and goals scored (19); he ranks second with 25 assists. His...

Associated PressHockey commentator Don Cherry fired for rant over immigrantsBy ROB GILLIESTORONTO (AP) Don Cherry, Canada's most polarizing, flamboyant and opinionated hockey commentator, was fired Monday for calling immigrants ''you people'' in a television rant in which he said new immigrants are not honoring the country's fallen soldiers.Rogers...