NHL

Dallas Stars sign goalie Ben Bishop to 6-year, $29.5M dealFRISCO, Texas (AP) The Dallas Stars have locked up a goalie with Stanley Cup Final experience in hopes of solving one of their biggest problems.Ben Bishop signed a six-year, $29.5 million deal with the Stars, whose announcement Friday came...

AP Hockey WriterEichel scores in OT to give Sabres 2-1 win over Blue JacketsBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Two days after smashing his stick in frustration, Sabres captain Jack Eichel held his arms up in celebration.Eichel scored 36 seconds into overtime to secure Buffalo's 2-1 win over the...

LA Kings win competition to sign free agent Daniel BrickleyLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms with coveted free-agent defenseman Daniel Brickley.The Kings announced the agreement Thursday. They will introduce Brickley at a news conference Friday in Salt Lake City, Brickley's hometown.Brickley had 10...

Sharks F Kane suspended for 3 games for abuse of officialNEW YORK (AP) San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been suspended for the first three games of the season for abuse of an official.The punishment handed out Tuesday comes after a run-in Kane had with Vegas' Deryk...

AP Hockey WriterLightning's Hedman doesn't return for 2nd period vs. FlyersBy JOHN WAWROWTORONTO (AP) Tampa Bay Lightning star defenseman Victor Hedman has been ruled out after appearing to twist his right ankle midway through the first period of an NHL playoff round-robin game against the Philadelphia Flyers on...

AP Sports WriterPanic time? Penguins staying patient during unexpected slideBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Sullivan's voice was calm as he urged patience and understanding, qualities that tend to be in short supply around the NHL when the calendar flips to March and the number of regular-season games dwindles.They're...

AP Hockey WriterNY Rangers select Lafreniere with No. 1 pick in NHL draftBy JOHN WAWROWAlexis Lafreniere wanted to take the stage at Montreal's Bell Centre near his home and hear his name announced at the NHL draft.The playmaking forward had to settle for being selected first overall by the...

AP Hockey WriterDumba kneels, NHL puts focus on Black Lives Matter movementBy STEPHEN WHYNOMinnesota's Matt Dumba became the first NHL player to kneel during the U.S. national anthem when he did so before the opening playoff game between the Oilers and Blackhawks in Edmonton, Alberta.Dumba knelt at center ice...

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...

AP Hockey WriterCrosby, McDavid favorites again in NHLPA annual pollBy JOHN WAWROWEdmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is still regarded as the NHL’s top forward, while peers consider Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby the game's most complete player.When it comes to game-day dress code, hockey players overwhelming favor relaxing the rule requiring...

Stars C Martin Hanzal set for season-ending back surgeryDALLAS (AP) Dallas Stars center Martin Hanzal is set for back surgery that will end his injury-plagued season.General manager Jim Nill said Friday the expected recovery time is six to seven months.Hanzal, who signed a $14.25 million, three-year contract on...

AP Hockey WriterButcher an NHL free agent after not signing with AvalancheBy JOHN WAWROWCollege hockey's top player is an NHL free agent after former University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher allowed a deadline to pass without signing with the Colorado Avalanche.The Avalanche selected Butcher in the fifth round of...