NHL

AP Sports WriterCrosby's return makes resilient Penguins diligent, dangerousBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Sullivan's messages can be relentless. The Pittsburgh Penguins coach peppers his team with a handful of mantras that seemingly run on a loop during every practice, every period, sometimes every shift.They run from ''play the...

AP Sports WriterPredators fight violence against women with new ad, donationBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The numbers of women affected by abuse, sexual assault or domestic violence staggered Sean Henry, president and CEO of the Nashville Predators, the first time he heard them.Then he talked to his...

AP Sports WriterLongtime NHL forward Joel Ward retiresBy JOSH DUBOWLongtime NHL forward Joel Ward announced his retirement Monday, ending an 11-year career that started as an undrafted player.Ward became known as one of the game's most clutch playoff performers and said he relished the chance to be teammates with...

AP Hockey WriterAP source: Wild's Ennis, Canadiens' Mason on buyout waiversBy STEPHEN WHYNOThe Minnesota Wild placed forward Tyler Ennis on unconditional waivers to buy out his contract and free up salary-cap space on the eve of free agency.A person with direct knowledge of the move told The Associated Press...

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have acquired defenseman Viktor Loov from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Sergey Kalinin. The Devils announced the trade on Saturday. The 24-year-old Loov will report to Albany of the AHL. He had two assists in four NHL games last season. Kalinin, 25,...

AP Hockey WriterLafrenière tops list of NHL draft-eligible prospectsBy JOHN WAWROWAlexis Lafrenière, as expected, maintained the top spot in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s final ranking of draft-eligible prospects released Wednesday.What remains uncertain for the 18-year-old Rimouski Oceanic forward and hundreds of fellow prospects is learning when and by...

AP Sports WriterBettman: NHL board approves Coyotes sale, new arena neededBy GREG BEACHAMLAS VEGAS (AP) Alex Meruelo has been approved as the new majority owner of the Arizona Coyotes during the NHL's Board of Governors meeting.NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Wednesday also reaffirmed the league's belief that the...

AP Sports WriterPastrnak's NHL-best 38th goal caps 6-1 Bruins romp past WildBy DAVE CAMPBELLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) NHL scoring leader David Pastrnak matched his career high with his 38th goal, Torey Krug scored twice and the Boston Bruins had three power-play goals in the second period to surge...

AP Hockey WriterBettman: Next NHL season could start in December or JanuaryBy STEPHEN WHYNOEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Gary Bettman will take his first sigh of relief in months when he presents the Stanley Cup.''Maybe I'll get a full night sleep,'' the NHL Commissioner said.Maybe one, and then the work...

Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils have started the lockout-shortened season in playoff form. The Philadelphia Flyers seem to have missed the opening bell. Brodeur made 24 saves for his 120th NHL shutout, Ilya Kovalchuk scored on a short-handed penalty shot, and the Devils won their home opener in...

Predators unveil new catfish tank for start of NHL playoffsNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tossing catfish onto the ice has been a popular hockey tradition in Music City and the Nashville Predators finally have their own catfish tank inside the arena.Team President Sean Henry unveiled the new tank hours before...

Avalanche sign defenseman Samuel Girard to 7-year extensionDENVER (AP) The Colorado Avalanche locked up defenseman Samuel Girard with a seven-year extension that runs through the 2026-27 season.The 21-year-old Girard played in all 82 games last season. He finished with four goals and 23 assists for a Colorado team...