NHL

AP Sports WriterAP source: Seattle close to naming Ron Francis as GMBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) Seattle's NHL expansion team is close to an agreement with Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Francis to become its first general manager, a person with direct knowledge tells The Associated Press.The person spoke...

AP Hockey WriterRacism lingers for NHL players 60 years after O'Ree landmarkBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Devante Smith-Pelly got up from his seat.The Washington Capitals forward had heard the unmistakably racist taunts from fans from inside the penalty box. As a black hockey player, he knew exactly what they...

Vancouver signs defenseman Alex Edler to 2-year extensionVANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Defenseman Alex Edler signed a two-year extension with the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday at an average salary of $6 million. The 33-year-old Swede could have become a free agent July 1.''I've said from the beginning that if...

AP Hockey WriterIsles' Lehner thrives after confronting mental health issuesBy STEPHEN WHYNOEAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) A sign hangs above the door between the locker room and the ice at the New York Islanders' practice facility that reads, ''GET BETTER EVERY DAY.''It carries a powerful double meaning for Robin...

Plan to name Nova Scotia parkway for Crosby hits roadblockHALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) How's this for a slap shot to the ego: Sidney Crosby is not getting a road named for him in his home province.It seems one of hockey's greatest players does not meet the criteria for...

Tampa Bay 1 0 1-2Los Angeles 0 1 2-3First Period-1, Tampa Bay, Nesterov 1 (Palat), 12:11.Second Period-2, Los Angeles, Kopitar 12 (Lewis, McNabb), 7:04.Third Period-3, Los Angeles, Nolan 4 (King, Shore), 3:36. 4, Los Angeles, Carter 16 (Doughty, King), 13:59. 5,...

Vernon Fiddler announces retirement after 877 games in NHLNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Forward Vernon Fiddler is retiring from the NHL after playing 877 games over 14 seasons in the league with four different teams.Fiddler announced his decision Wednesday in a story for The Players Tribune .The 5-foot-11 center says...

MONTREAL (AP) A Quebec Superior Court justice has ruled against Montreal Canadiens great Guy Lafleur in his $2.16 million civil suit against police and the Crown over a 2008 arrest.Lafleur was seeking damages stemming from an arrest for giving contradictory testimony at his son's bail hearing.He claimed the...

AP Hockey WriterSabres have unfinished business after last season cut shortBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Ralph Krueger doesn't consider the Sabres' home opener against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 14 as the start of a new season. Buffalo's second-year coach is approaching it more as a continuation of...

Kovalchuk scores in OT, Canadiens rally past Maple Leafs 2-1MONTREAL (AP) Ilya Kovalchuk scored 1:43 into overtime and the Montreal Canadiens rallied for a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.Marco Scandella tied the score late in the third period for the Canadiens, who have...

AP Hockey Writer'Black Aces' in bubble have toughest job in NHL playoffsBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) When Joel Kiviranta capped a hat trick by scoring the series-clinching goal in overtime in his playoff debut in the second round, the young Finn had one real desire.''I hope I get...

AP Sports WriterMcElhinney stops 25 shots, Maple Leafs beat Rangers 4-0By VIN A. CHERWOONEW YORK (AP) Curtis McElhinney stopped 25 shots to give the Toronto Maple Leafs their second straight shutout, 4-0 over the New York Rangers on Thursday night.James van Riemsdyk, Patrick Marleau, Zach Hyman and Justin...