NHL

Sharks to buy out final year of defenseman Martin's contractSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks have placed defenseman Paul Martin on unconditional waivers with the intention to buy out the remaining season of the 14-year NHL veteran's contract.In announcing the decision Friday, general manager Doug Wilson...

Associated PressMilan Lucic has goal, assist; Oilers hold off Wild 3-2By MIKE COOKST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Milan Lucic had a goal and assist and the Edmonton Oilers held off the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Saturday.Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored for Edmonton, which has alternated wins and...

AP Hockey WriterCenter stage: NHL contenders go deep down the middleBy STEPHEN WHYNOA linesman orders Sean Couturier out of the faceoff circle and Claude Giroux shrugs before stepping in and winning the draw.Two centers on the ice at once is a nice luxury for the Philadelphia Flyers to have.''He's...

Associated PressCrosby leads Penguins over Panthers 3-2By PAUL GEREFFISUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Sidney Crosby scored his 10th goal in the second period, and the Pittsburgh Penguins held off the Florida Panthers for a 3-2 win Saturday night.Kris Letang had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who improved...

AP Sports WriterDevils say Hall, Maroon, Schneider had postseason surgeryBy TOM CANAVANNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils say forwards Taylor Hall and Patrick Maroon and goaltender Cory Schneider have had surgeries since the playoffs ended for them last month.The team said Tuesday that Hall and Maroon are...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi assembled a team that won two Stanley Cup titles and 10 playoff series in three seasons with the belief that teamwork and trust mattered as much as talent.After the Kings' remarkable run quietly ended Saturday, Lombardi has...

AP Sports WriterSobotka not optimistic about returning to BluesBy STEPHEN WHYNOTORONTO (AP) Vladimir Sobotka is no longer feeling good about his chances of rejoining the St. Louis Blues this season.Sobotka has spent the past two seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League and planned on returning to the NHL....

AP Hockey WriterAP source: Ducks place forward Rasmussen on waiversBy JOHN WAWROWA person familiar with the move tells The Associated Press the Anaheim Ducks are preparing to part ways with forward Dennis Rasmussen by placing him on waivers.The Ducks will have the option of either terminating the remainder of...

AP Sports WriterPenguins ride maturity, resilience back to Stanley Cup FinalBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz stood shoulder to shoulder at center ice as midnight approached, crowd on its feet, Prince of Wales Trophy in hand. Another shot at the Stanley Cup in...

AP Sports WriterOwner says Las Vegas team having trademark issues with nameBy STEPHEN WHYNOLas Vegas owner Bill Foley would love to have a name for his expansion team, and he's open to ideas.Three weeks after the NHL awarded an expansion team to Foley, he said his group is having...

AP Sports WriterBlackhawks rally for 5-4 shootout win over SabresBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat beat Carter Hutton during a perfect shootout, sending the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.Artem Anisimov scored twice for Chicago, which...

Associated PressStaal, Zuccarello lead Wild past Red Wings 4-2By BRIAN HALLST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) With their chances of a playoff appearance slipping by the day, the Minnesota Wild returned home for a stretch of games before the All-Star break knowing there was little room for error.They have taken...