Blues also reach agreement with Rucinsky

30/10/2002

Left wing Martin Rucinsky and goaltender Tom Barrasso finally may have a place to call home.

The St. Louis Blues on Thursday announced they have reached tentative contract agreements with the 31-year-old Rucinsky, who spent time with three teams last season, and the 37-year-old Barrasso, who split the 2001-02 campaign with Carolina and Toronto.

While a formal announcement has not yet been made, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting Rucinsky and the Blues agreed on a one-year contract worth $1.7 million with a club option for $2.5 million.

The deal is contingent on Rucinsky, an unrestricted free agent, passing a physical.

After being selected 20th overall in the 1991 draft by Edmonton, Rucinsky played only two games with the Oilers before being dealt to Quebec, where he spent parts of five seasons. He played 22 games of the team's inaugural season in Colorado before landing in Montreal as part of the 1995 trade that sent future Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy to the Avalanche.

Bruins retire former great O'Reilly's number

30/10/2002

Terry O'Reilly stepped out of the penalty box to the cheers of the crowd, a fitting opening to a ceremony that showed the soft side of one of hockey's toughest players.

Guerin named Player of the Week

16/10/2002

Dallas Stars right wing Bill Guerin, who led all NHL scorers with six points (three goals, three assists) as the Stars posted two victories and a tie in their first three regular-season games, was named NHL Player of the Week for the period Wednesday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 13.

Playing on a line with Mike Modano and Ulf Dahlen, Guerin tallied points on each of Dallas' first five goals of the regular season. He recorded an assist in the Stars' 1-1 tie at Colorado in the season-opener Oct. 9, figured in all four Dallas goals (two goals, two assists) in a 4-2 home victory against Anaheim Oct. 11 and notched a goal in a 5-2 victory at Phoenix Oct. 12.

Signed as a free agent by the Stars July 3, the 31-year-old Worcester, Mass., native finished tied for second in the NHL's goal-scoring race last season with 41 and led the League in shots with 355. Guerin has reached the 40-goal mark in each of the past two seasons and the 30-goal mark the past three seasons.

Guerin will attempt to extend his season-opening point streak to four games when the Stars host the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday.

Bure has two goals and an assist in season debut

16/10/2002

Pavel Bure had two goals and an assist in his season debut with the New York Rangers on Tuesday night after he missed the first three games due to illness.

Bure didn''t play in New York''s season opener last Wednesday at Carolina because of the flu. He then missed the Rangers'' first home game on Friday and a game at Pittsburgh -- both losses -- due to strep throat.

"I don''t remember when I was sick so much in my life. It was really bad," Bure said after the Rangers beat Toronto 5-4. "I couldn''t even talk, I couldn''t swallow, I couldn''t turn my head. And then I had a really big fever as well. It wasn''t good."

He took his first shift 49 seconds into Tuesday''s game against the Maple Leafs. Bure helped the Rangers snap a 1-1 tie in the second period with an assist, and then made it 3-1 with a goal 41 seconds later.

Bure helped set up Tom Poti''s first goal of the season with 2:20 left in the period. He was camped in front of the net when Poti''s shot whizzed past him and goalie Trevor Kidd and instantly threw his hands up in celebration when the red light came on.

New York made it 3-1 at 18:21 when Bure took a perfect pass from Matthew Barnaby at the bottom of the right circle and swept a shot into the net. His second goal at 6:49 of the third period looked very similar to the first and gave the Rangers a 4-2 lead.

"It''s a funny game," Bure said. "Sometimes you can score lots of goals and sometimes you can go without it. If you ask me what''s the difference, I don''t know. Sometimes you shoot and it goes in."

The fact that Bure missed the first game of the season was only a surprise because of the reason. The speedy right wing tore cartilage in his twice rebuilt right knee during an exhibition game against New Jersey on Sept. 24.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery two days later which left him questionable for the season opener. Bure''s knee did recover in time, but he was too sick to play.

Bure was placed back on a line with Eric Lindros and Petr Nedved. Lindros also was out of Saturday night''s game at Pittsburgh, serving a suspension for a high-sticking penalty from the night before.

The combination didn''t last long as Lindros was called for boarding Maple Leafs forward Wade Belak, about 12 minutes before Poti''s goal, and was ejected from the game.

New York''s offense needed a boost, having been outscored 10-1 in its two losses following a 4-1 victory on opening night. The Rangers went 143 minutes, 28 seconds without a goal, dating to Friday, until Barnaby scored on a breakaway at 12:24 of the second period.

Bure had 12 goals and eight assists in 12 games for the Rangers last season after he was traded from Florida. In 1999, shortly after he was traded from Vancouver to Florida, he had the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee replaced for the second time in four years.

There was no ligament damage resulting from his latest knee injury.

In other Rangers injury news, Daniel Blackburn returned as the backup goalie to Mike Richter.

The 19-year-old Blackburn was due to make his first start of the season on Saturday night but was scratched after dislocating a finger on his catching hand during pregame warmups.

NHL Day 1 round-up

11/10/2002

Thursday, Oct. 10
Canucks 3, Flames 0
Flyers 2, Oilers 2, tie
Lightning 4, Panthers 3, OT
Mighty Ducks 4, Blues 3
Sabres 5, Islanders 1
Maple Leafs 6, Penguins 0
Devils 2, Senators 1
Mighty Ducks 4, Blues 3
Blue Jackets 2, Blackhawks 1
Kings 4, Coyotes 1
Stars 1, Avalanche 1, OT
Rangers 4, Hurricanes 1

Wednesday, Oct. 9
Kings 4, Coyotes 1
Stars 1, Avalanche 1

The Queen visits Vancouver

04/10/2002

Hockey game part of Queen's Canadian tour

Two hockey games in one day -- 51 years ago -- may have satisfied Queen Elizabeth's curiosity about Canada's favorite sport.

But now, after five decades, she and the Duke of Edinburgh will take in their third NHL game and the queen will even drop the ceremonial puck to begin a preseason game between the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks at GM Place.

The game Sunday is being regarded by many as a highlight of the queen's 12-day tour of Canada, especially since it seems so offbeat for a monarch to stride to center ice and drop a puck between two opposing centers.

But a royal tour spokesman believes she has what it takes.

"She is the queen of Canada and I would say it would come quite naturally to her," said John Anderson, deputy media coordinator for the royal tour.

The game Sunday will be her first as queen, since the last two occurred when she was a 25-year-old princess.

"We understood that the last game she saw was the game in 1951 between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers," said Anderson. "But also we understand that the same day or the day before she attended a nonscheduled game, one period, between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks."

Anderson couldn't recall who came up with the idea of the queen dropping the puck.

"It sort of floated around and both the federal and provincial governments pursued it with Buckingham Palace and it was approved."

The royal visit to GM Place, like the entire tour, is choreographed minute-by-minute. The queen arrives at the arena and is greeted by Premier Gordon Campbell and his wife; Wayne Gretzky, the former NHL great who was Team Canada's general manager at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City; Cassie Campbell, captain of the Canadian women's Olympic team; Canucks captain Ed Jovanovski and former Toronto Maple Leaf Howie Meeker.

"We wanted a very strong Canadian cultural presence at this event," said Anderson.

She will go straight to center ice, drop the puck and then retire to a royal suite to watch the first period before leaving.

Bure to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery

26/09/2002

The New York Rangers announced Wednesday that right wing Pavel Bure will undergo arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair a posterior tear of the medial meniscus.

The procedure will be performed by team physician Dr. Andrew Feldman at St. Vincent's Hospital.

Bure sustained the injury Tuesday in a game vs. New Jersey at Madison Square Garden. An MRI Wednesday revealed the nature of the injury, but showed no damage to either the anterior cruciate ligament or the medial collateral ligament.

Coyotes add famous special teams coach

26/09/2002

Former All-Star defenseman Paul Coffey agreed Tuesday to join the Phoenix Coyotes as a special teams consultant, a position created to add some punch on the power play.

Coffey, 41, was an All-Star selection 14 times in 21 seasons with Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Detroit, Hartford, Philadelphia, Chicago, Carolina and Boston. He was an NHL first-team pick four times and won the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league''s best defenseman, in 1985, 1986 and 1995.

In 1,409 games, he had 396 goals and 1,135 assists to rank 10th in NHL history in points (1,531) and fourth in assists. He also played for four teams that won the Stanley Cup -- three with Coyotes managing partner Wayne Gretzky as an Oilers teammate.

Coyotes general manager Michael Barnett said the hiring was timely because of the NHL''s crackdown on interference and obstruction, which is creating more power plays. The Coyotes have had 21 in their first two exhibition games.

Phoenix''s power play success ranked 14th among 30 teams last season (15.6 percent).

Canes arena gets new name

20/09/2002

The Entertainment and Sports Arena - the home of the Carolina Hurricanes - will now be known as RBC Center.

RBC Centura will have exclusive naming rights for the next 20 years at an investment of $4 million per year.

The deal was agreed upon by RBC Centura, Gale Force Holdings Limited Partnership (the parent company of the Hurricanes), the Centennial Authority and North Carolina State.

"RBC Centura and our U.S. RBC partner companies are seeking to build our brand awareness rapidly in the Southeast," said RBC Centura chief executive officer Kel Landis.

RBC Center seats 18,370 for hockey and has a capacity of more than 20,000 for basketball and concerts.

The RBC Center is host to more than 160 events annually that include family shows, concerts and variety of sporting events.

Sabres sign 2001 first-round pick Novotny

20/09/2002

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday announced they have signed center Jiri Novotny, their first-round pick in the 2001 draft, to a multi-year contract.

Terms were not disclosed.

Novotny, 19, was the 22nd overall pick in last year''s draft, when he was rated 11th among European players available. The 6-4, 194-pounder from the Czech Republic finished second on his team in scoring at the 2001 Under-18 World Championships.

Novotny spent the last two seasons with HC Ceske Budejovice of the Czech Sr. League. In 41 games last season, he had eight goals and six assists.

"Jiri is a hard-working and very dependable player," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said. "He is a good skater with strong playmaking abilities. We are very excited to have him join our organization."

Canadiens sign Zednik to two-year contract

19/09/2002

Richard Zednik, the Montreal Canadiens' only no-show at training camp, signed a two-year contract Wednesday.

Zednik, 26, will earn $1.7 million this season and $1.8 million in 2003-04.

David Schatia, Zednik's agent, said an impasse between the two sides was resolved when the Canadiens agreed to substantial bonus clauses, including one with a charitable aim.

Zednik will receive a $50,000 bonus if plays in only 10 games. He would then donate the money to the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation, which would use it to buy tickets for underprivileged children, Schatia said.

"Richard wanted to give something back to the community," Schatia said. "I think it's the first time it's been done with the Canadiens, but we've done it for other players," the agent said.

Martin Havlat of the Ottawa Senators and Scott Hartnell of the Nashville Predators have had similar donation clauses in their contracts.

"Richard wanted to play here and this is the way we resolved the situation," Schatia said.

Zednik, 26, earned $765,000 last season when he reached personal highs in goals (22), points (44) and games played (82) last season and led the club in shots on goal with 249.

The right wing missed the Canadiens' five-day training camp in Vail, Colo., that ended Tuesday.

Zednik scored four goals and added four assists in the first four playoff games of Montreal's first-round upset of Boston before he was knocked unconscious by an elbow from Bruins defenseman Kyle McLaren.

Zednik, a 10th-round draft pick by Washington in 1994, was acquired from the Capitals along with Jan Bulis and a first-round draft pick on March 13, 2001, for Trevor Linden, Dainius Zubrus and a second-round pick.

Red Wings send Fischer for medical tests

19/09/2002

The Detroit Red Wings sent defenseman Jiri Fischer for precautionary tests following an abnormal heart exam.

Fischer, 22, was given an electrocardiogram as part of a routine battery of tests during preseason physicals last week. Fischer passed a stress test following the abnormal heart test.

He played in four intrasquad scrimmages and told team officials he was feeling well. But the Red Wings sent the test results to doctors in Detroit for a further evaluation, and Fischer was advised to undergo more tests.

"We just want to make sure everything is fine with Jiri," coach Dave Lewis said. "He played and said he didn't feel any different."

Fischer, who was not hospitalized, was resting in Detroit after undergoing tests Wednesday. He was expected to have more tests Thursday and possibly Friday.

Messier, Rangers agree to terms

13/09/2002

Mark Messier will be back with the New York Rangers for at least one more season.

Messier agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Rangers on Wednesday to return for his 24th NHL season -- ninth with New York. The deal also includes an option year.

The 41-year-old center was limited to just 41 games last season because of injuries. Despite an injured shoulder that required surgery and forced Messier to miss the final 23 games and 38 overall, he said at the time that he wasn't contemplating retirement.

Messier, who also missed games because of a rib strain and back spasms, had seven goals and 16 assists in the second year of his second stint with the Rangers. He became just the third player in NHL history to record 1,800 points.

The six-time Stanley Cup champion has played in 1,602 career games, the fourth most in NHL history. His 1,804 points (658 goals, 1,146 assists) are the most among active players and third on the career list.

In the playoffs, Messier is second only to Wayne Gretzky in all scoring categories, registering 109 goals and 186 assists in a record 236 postseason games. He hasn't been in the playoffs since 1997.

Messier is the only player in NHL history to captain two franchises (New York and Edmonton) to the Stanley Cup.

He reached 1,800 points last Dec. 15, a month after he moved into sole possession of fourth place on the NHL's career assists list.

Messier returned to New York in the summer of 2000 after three years with the Vancouver Canucks. He left as a free agent after the 1997 playoffs, New York's last postseason appearance.

Messier spent six seasons in New York, after being acquired from Edmonton in 1991. In 421 games before leaving, Messier had 183 goals and 335 assists. Since his return, Messier has 31 goals and 59 assists.

He is seventh in assists (394) and points (608) and 11th in goals (214) on the Rangers' career scoring list. Messier became the club's captain three days after he was acquired from Edmonton and reassumed the title upon his return as a free agent on July 13, 2000.

Messier is beloved at Madison Square Garden for leading the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup, the team's first championship after a 54-year drought.

Blues sign Tkachuk to five-year contract

13/09/2002

Keith Tkachuk agreed to a five-year contract with the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, two months after accepting an $8.3 million qualifying offer for this season.

"We are delighted to have Keith as one of the cornerstones of our franchise for years to come," Blues general manager Larry Pleau said. "By signing this contract, Keith has demonstrated his continued commitment to our organization and Blues fans."

In July, Tkachuk accepted the qualifying offer, and Pleau pledged to make signing the 30-year-old power forward to a long-term contract a priority. The Blues acquired Tkachuk from Phoenix in March 2001, and he would have become eligible for unrestricted free agency after this season.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed in the team's statement announcing the signing, although Pleau said the team is "pleased this contract is at the compensation level established by the unrestricted free agent market this summer."

Tkachuk was a physical presence for the Blues last season, leading the team with 38 goals and finishing second in points with 75. Tkachuk has 329 goals and 302 assists in 652 regular-season games in 11 NHL seasons with Winnipeg, Phoenix and St. Louis. He has 26 goals and 21 assists in 69 playoff games.

Gagne signs two-year deal with Flyers

13/09/2002

Simon Gagne signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, following a season in which he led the team in goals, won an Olympic gold medal and scored the winning goal in the All-Star game.

"We think that Simon is one of the better young players in the game and certainly has a chance to be a terrific player," general manager Bob Clarke said.

Gagne, 22, emerged from the shadows of teammates John LeClair and Jeremy Roenick last season to have 33 goals and 33 assists in 79 games, including seven game-winners. He was second on the team in points and had the third-highest plus-minus rating in the NHL.

The Quebec native was drafted by the Flyers in 1998 and has 80 goals and 93 assists in three seasons. He also scored for Canada in its gold-medal victory over the United States at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

"I think I played pretty well, and I showed some good hockey," Gagne said.

The left wing said contract talks were amicable, but were distracting as training camp approached this week.

"Now I can focus on what I have to do," Gagne said. "I think that next year is going to be important for me and for the team."

Canadiens sign Theodore

06/09/2002

Montreal Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore became the highest-paid player in franchise history Thursday, signing a three-year, $16.5 million contract.

Theodore won both the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player and the Vezina as the top goalie last season when he led the Canadiens to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

"It was really important for myself and for the team that I didn't miss the start of training camp," he said. "I was always confident that a deal would get done before the start of the season."

Theodore, who will turn 26 next week, will earn $5 million this season, $5.5 million in 2003-04, and $6 million in 2004-05. The deal also contains numerous performance bonuses.

The contract moves Theodore past defenseman Patrice Brisebois, scheduled to earn $4 million this season, as the team's highest-paid player, and it tops the team record of $4.5 million set by former forward Mark Recchi in 1998-99.

Theodore made $1.65 million last season.

"I have a job to do -- stop the puck," he said. "It's important to know the money is there, but the main thing is that I love playing hockey. It's still a game. I go to practice every day with the same feeling I had when I was making $35 a week in junior hockey."

Theodore led the NHL last season with a .931 save percentage and had a 2.11 goals-against average. He also had career highs in games (67), victories (30) and shutouts (7) and was selected to the North American team for the All-Star game.

"I'm just happy he'll be in camp," coach Michel Therrien said. "It's a great relief."

Among his bonus clauses, Theodore would receive $500,000 for winning a major trophy such as the Hart or Vezina, which would automatically add $500,000 to his base salary for each of the remaining years. He also has bonuses for each playoff series the team is in, as long as he plays in the series, for 31 or more wins in a season and for lesser awards.

Sabres agree to terms with Maxim Afinogenov

06/09/2002

The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms with restricted free agent Maxim Afinogenov on a multi-year contract. As is club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Max has established himself as one of the most exciting young players in the league," said Sabres general manager Darcy Regier. "His development over the past three seasons has been a tremendous asset to our organization as he has improved each season."

Afinogenov, who turned 23 years old Wednesday, set career-highs in goals and points while finishing fifth in team scoring with 21 goals, 19 assists in 81 games. In 224 career NHL games, he has totaled 51 goals, 59 assists for 110 points. Originally, he was Buffalo's third-round selection (69th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

A Moscow, Russia-native, Afinogenov began his professional career with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League and scored 18 points in his first 15 games in 1999-2000. He was quickly promoted to Buffalo and finished tied for eighth in NHL rookie scoring with 34 points in just 65 games.

Skoula signs multiyear contract

06/09/2002

Defenseman Martin Skoula signed a three-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

The Czech native scored 10 goals and had 21 assists last season, second only to Rob Blake among Avalanche defensemen. Skoula, who earned $975,000 last season, was one of four Avalanche players to play in all 82 games, and also played in all 21 playoff games.

He has played in 244 of 246 games his first three seasons, including 204 in a row.

"Martin is still in the developmental stage of his young NHL career and we are looking for him to make strong contributions this upcoming season and beyond," said Michel Goulet, vice president of player personnel.

Canucks re-sign Steve Kariya

06/09/2002

Left wing Steve Kariya, the younger brother of Anaheim star Paul Kariya, re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Kariya had an assist in three games last season for the Canucks, and led the AHL's Manitoba Moose in scoring with 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points in 67 games.

Center charged after fight with bouncer

25/08/2002

Atlanta Thrashers center Mark Hartigan was charged with assault and disorderly conduct after getting into a fight with a bouncer at a bar.

Hartigan, 24, will be arraigned next Monday in Hennepin County District Court. He was released Monday on $300 bail.

Nate DiCasmirro, a former teammate of Hartigan's at St. Cloud State who plays in the Edmonton Oilers' organization, was charged with obstructing officers as they arrested Hartigan early Sunday.

DiCasmirro was released on his own recognizance Sunday and is due in court Friday.

The Thrashers signed Hartigan as an unrestricted free agent on March 27, following his junior season at St. Cloud State. The WCHA player of the year and Hobey Baker Award finalist had 37 goals and 38 assists in 42 games for the Huskies last season. He played two games for the Thrashers in May.

Iginla reportedly seeking $7.5 million a year

25/08/2002

"I don't think I could (attend camp without a contract),'' Iginla said.

Unlike his last mini-holdout three years ago, Iginla's status in the hockey world has dramatically risen after he won the National Hockey League scoring title last season.

According to the report, Iginla's agent Don Meehan is looking to use the forward's success to possibly set a standard for other young stars in the league. The challenge is estabilshing the standard. Iginla, 25, won the Pearson Award last year as league MVP by a vote of the players, with 52 goals, 44 assists, and was the NHL's only plus-50 goal scorer in 2001-02.

A holdout by Iginla would likely hurt the Flames both on and off the ice. On the ice, Iginla has proven how effective he is in helping Calgary win games. But he also helps sell tickets.

Flames general manager Craig Button didn't seem bothered by Iginla's comments.

"That's fair -- that's an individual choice for a player,'' Button told the Canadian Press. "It just keeps us focused in on concluding a deal. We want him to be there the first day of camp."

But the financial landscape has changed for Iginla.

In 1999, the last time his contract had expired, he was the team's fourth leading scorer (51 points) and was making $850,000 with bonuses. Both sides came to terms on a three-year, $5 million contract three games into the season.

After making $1.7 million last season, the Canadian Press reports that Iginla is seeking $7.5 million a year. The Flames have reportedly offered a two-year deal that would be worth just over $5.5 million annually.

The Flames open camp Sept. 14 in Banff, Alberta.

Straka to miss early season, maybe more

25/08/2002

High-scoring forward Martin Straka of the Pittsburgh Penguins, out most of last season, will miss at least the start of this one because of a back injury.

The 29-year-old Straka cracked a vertebra and tore a ligament in his back in a weight-training accident July 22 in his native Czech Republic. Penguins general manager Craig Patrick said Thursday that Straka will fly to Pittsburgh within the next few weeks to be examined by the team's medical personnel.

Surgery on the torn ligament would require six months of recovery time, Patrick said.

"We're trying to avoid that," he said. "Hopefully, there's some healing going on now. We'll know when he gets here and we look at him."

Patrick remains optimistic. He said Straka, who is at home in the Czech Republic, is walking and not experiencing pain lately.

But Straka's back remains immobilized in a brace.

Straka told trainer Mark Mortland this week that he wanted to return to Pittsburgh immediately to undergo an MRI and other tests, but Patrick ordered him to stay put.

The Penguins want Straka to stick to the original plan of remaining mostly in the Czech Republic for 7-8 weeks after the injury. Trainers believe the torn ligament might heal on its own.

Straka was among the NHL's leading scorers in 2000-01, when he had 95 points on 27 goals and 68 assists. Last season will be remembered for a string of strange mishaps that sidelined him.

Straka played in just 13 games, getting five goals and four assists.

He broke his right leg Oct. 28 and did not return to the lineup until Feb. 27. On his third shift in that game against Los Angeles, Straka took an inadvertent high stick from teammate Johan Hedberg and broke the orbital bone near his left eye.

He returned five games later wearing a full-length face shield, but didn't last the first period. He re-broke the leg after making an awkward move and was lost for the season.

Straka was deep into his training for the upcoming season when his latest accident occurred.

A weight machine collapsed on his back, crushing him under about 300 pounds.

"You just wonder, 'When's this going to stop?' " Patrick said.

Straka's linemate, Alexei Kovalev, had some advice for him.

"If I was in your place, I'd be afraid to go anywhere," Kovalev said. "I mean, just making a step I'd be afraid to get hurt."

Panthers place Kidd on waivers

25/08/2002

The Florida Panthers placed backup goaltender Trevor Kidd on waivers, hoping another team will pick up his $2.3 million salary.

General manager Rick Dudley said he expects Kidd will be gone by next week.

"In all likelihood, something will happen and it won't be a trade," Dudley told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel for Thursday's edition. "I do think Trevor will be moving on, and it's at his request."

If no team claims Kidd, the Panthers could buy out his contract and make him a free agent.

Kidd led the league with a .930 save percentage in 1999 before dislocating his shoulder during a skills competition. He hasn't been the same since, winning just 15 of 83 games.

He spent the last two seasons playing behind Roberto Luongo.

"I can still be a No. 1 goalie in this league," Kidd said. "Right now, I think I need to find a situation that affords me a few more games, even if it's going to be a backup somewhere else."

It could be Toronto. The Maple Leafs were interested in Kidd last season when Curtis Joseph injured his hand. This year, they are looking for someone to backup Ed Belfour.

"I don't know about Toronto, but I know they've thrown me out on waivers just to see if there are any sniffers and we can kind of go from there," Kidd said.

Lemieux's 45-minute skate pain-free

25/08/2002

Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux has gotten a jump on his own comeback from a hip injury.

After planning not to skate until next week, Lemieux hit the ice for 45 minutes Tuesday with his on-ice trainer and former teammate Jay Caufield, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Wednesday.

Lemieux, who missed 58 games last season because of a hip injury, skated freely and without pain, he and Caufield told the Tribune-Review. He did not attempt sudden stops and starts.

Lemieux, who declined to be interviewed by the newspaper, would only say it felt good to take a serious skate for the first time in nearly six months.

"I felt strong," he said.

Caufield didn't think he would start training Lemieux until next week, so he was surprised when Lemieux called him Monday night.

"He wanted to get it going," Caufield said.

Lemieux's last serious skate was Feb. 27 at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena -- his last game of the 2001-02 season -- against the Los Angeles Kings. Caufield was equally surprised to see Lemieux display the sort of powerful stride Tuesday one wouldn't expect after such a layoff.

In February, doctors described Lemieux's injury as chronic tendinitis of the ilio-psoas muscle -- a major hip flexor muscle -- along with inflammation of the hip capsule. In late October of last season, Lemieux had arthroscopic surgery to repair ligament damage in his hip.

There were no signs of lingering hip problems or of Lemieux's chronic back problems Wednesday, Caufield told the Tribune-Review, although the session was designed simply to get Lemieux's "legs underneath him."

What Caufield heard was just as important as what he saw.

"I heard that sound in his skating," he told the newspaper. "It's hard to explain. It's the blade cutting through the ice making a certain sound where you know it's a powerful stride. A hockey player would know what I was talking about. It's the sound you want to hear."

Stops and starts will come later in the training, Caufield said. The idea is to have Lemieux's legs in shape when the Penguins begin training camp Sept. 12.

Kovalev, Penguins discuss five-year extension

25/08/2002

The Pittsburgh Penguins have offered right wing Alexei Kovalev a contract extension which could keep one of their best players in town for at least five years.

Penguins General Manager Craig Patrick declined to discuss details of the deal. Kovalev's agent Scott Greenspun is also being tight-lipped.

The 29-year-old forward, who has blossomed into one of the NHL's most gifted forwards, will earn $4.6 million next season in the final year of a two-year contract.

When that expires, he'll be a restricted free agent.

Kovalev, who has 283 points in 291 games, has said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh.

Blackhawks sign free agent right wing Theoren Fleury

16/08/2002

General Manager Mike Smith announced today that the Blackhawks have signed veteran free agent right winger Theoren Fleury. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"The Chicago Blackhawks have had an interest in Theo Fleury since the end of the season. We think Theo is still a top-level player in our game," said Blackhawk General Manager Mike Smith. "We've gone through this process with Theo with our eyes open and we know what his personal situation is. We believe Theo can help our team and we can help Theo."

"We are extremely excited to add a player of Theo Fleury's caliber to our hockey club," said Blackhawk President William W. Wirtz. "I feel that Theo has a lot to offer our team. His off-ice issues have been much publicized. However, we feel that Theo has taken the necessary steps to addressing his issues."

"The Blackhawk organization has been willing and able to provide the necessary support systems in aiding and assisting an individual in his aftercare program," said Mr. Wirtz. "Since signing with the Blachawks as a free agent, Bob Probert has established himself as a husband and father of four children as well as a model citizen in the community."

Fleury, 34, is entering his 15th season in the NHL having been drafted by the Calgary Flames as their 9th pick (166th overall) in 1987 entry draft out of Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League. In fact, the number 9 sweater he wore when he played for Moose Jaw is the only sweater that has been retired by that club.

It did not take him long to play his way into the NHL as he played in 36 games with Calgary in the 1988-89 season and averaged almost a point per game posting 34 points (14 goals and 20 assists) in 36 games. He played in 22 playoff games that year scoring five goals and 11 points and was a member of the 1989 Stanley Cup Champion Calgary Flames. The Flames won the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Forum in Montreal becoming the only visiting team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup on the Montreal Canadiens home ice.

Fleury played 10+ seasons for the Calgary Flames from 1988-89 to the 1998-99 season. During that time as a member of the Flames, he reached the 20-goal plateau ten times, the 30-goal plateau seven times, the 40-goal plateau three times, and had a career-high 51 goals and 104 points in the 1990-91 season. He was the Flames leading scorer six times between the 1990-91 and 1998-99 seasons.

Fleury was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in a six-player deal on February 28, 1999. In 15 games with the Avalanche during that regular season, he scored 10 goals and added 14 assists for 24 points. He went on to play 18 playoff games for the Avalanche that year and posted 17 points with five goals and 12 assists.

Fleury signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers on July 8, 1999. He played three seasons with the Rangers including last year when he scored 24 goals and added 39 assists for 63 points (2nd on the team) with 216 penalty minutes while playing in all 82 games. Fleury led the Rangers in game winning goals with five.

Fleury reached four career milestones as a member of the Rangers. He scored his 400th career goal on November 4, 2000, at Montreal. He reached the 1,000 point plateau with two assists versus Dallas on October 29, 2001. He played in his 1,000th career game and registered his 600th career assist on January 23, 2002, versus the Boston Bruins.

In the Spring of 2001, Fleury voluntarily checked himself into the National Hockey Leagues/National Hockey Leagues Players Association Substance Abuse and Behavior Health Program missing the Rangers final 20 games of the regular season. Upon his successful completion of the NHL/NHLPA Program, Fleury entered a mandatory aftercare program prescribed by the program doctors. Participating in an aftercare program is one of the key components to each individuals overall program. As part of the aftercare program, individuals are required to submit to mandatory testing as long as they continue their career in the NHL.

In his NHL career, Fleury has played in 1,030 games scoring 443 goals while adding 612 assists for 1,055 points with 1,763 penalty minutes. Of his 443 goals, 124 have been scored on the power play, 35 were shorthanded goals, and 64 have been game winners. He is also a +152 in his NHL career having been a plus player in 12 of his 14 seasons. He has appeared in 77 career playoff games scoring 34 goals and 45 assists for 79 points with 116 penalty minutes. Fleury played in the NHL All-Star game seven times, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001.

Fleury is no stranger to International competition as he was a member of Team Canada that captured the Gold Medal in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Fleury played in six games and posted two assists for the Canadians. His first taste of international competition was the under-17 championships in 1984-85. He helped Canada to a Gold Medal in the 1988 World Junior Championships and was named to the tournament All-Star Team. He won the Silver Medal as a member of Team Canada in the 1991 World Championships and was named to the Second All-Star Team. He was a member of Team Canada that won the 1991 Canada Cup and also played for Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Fleury also was a member the Canadian Olympic Team in the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

Although he stands at only 5.06, Fleury has always used that as inspiration. He credits Blackhawk Hall of Famer and current assistant coach Denis Savard for that inspiration. "I've always believed there was room in the league for smaller players," Fleury said. "There's no better example than Denis Savard."

Fleury also believes it is important to give back to the community. Having been diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1995, Fleury hosts an annual golf tournament in Calgary during the off-season to benefit the Crohn's/Colitis Foundation.

San Jose re-signs Sundstrom for two years, $3.75 million

16/08/2002

An arbitrator awarded San Jose Sharks right wing Niklas Sundstrom a two-year, $3.75 million contract on Friday.

Sundstrom, a consistent two-way forward and a two-time member of the Swedish Olympic team, will make $1.8 million in 2002-03 and $1.95 million in 2003-04.

Sundstrom had nine goals and 30 assists in 73 games last season. He has spent the past three seasons with San Jose, scoring 31 goals and 125 points.

The Sharks signed defenseman Marcus Ragnarsson last week before going through arbitration, but they still haven't signed goalie Evgeni Nabokov, another restricted free agent who declined arbitration. Defensemen Brad Stuart and Scott Hannan also are unsigned.

Keenan signs contract extension

16/08/2002

Florida Panthers coach Mike Keenan signed a contract extension Friday that could keep him with the team through the 2007-08 season.

Keenan, who had two years remaining on his original contract, signed a two-year extension that is to be followed by two, one-year options at the club's discretion.

Keenan replaced Duane Sutter on Dec. 3 and the Panthers showed improvement, going 16-29-8-3.

"I'm extremely excited about the future of our team and building a winning tradition here in South Florida," Keenan said. "I'm looking forward to fulfilling ... expectations of success, which ultimately is to bring a Stanley Cup championship to Florida."

Panthers chairman Alan Cohen said Keenan's experience and leadership are key to the Panthers' future plans.

"I want Mike Keenan to be the coach of this team for a long time," Cohen said.

The 52-year-old Keenan has taken four teams to the Stanley Cup finals, winning the 1994 championship with the New York Rangers. His 91 career playoff victories rank fourth all-time in the NHL, as does his 1,125 regular-season games coached.

Blue Jackets sign free agent C Cassels

16/08/2002

The Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday signed free agent center Andrew Cassels, who spent the previous three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, to a multi-year contract.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cassels, 33, gives the Blue Jackets a much-needed playmaking center. He registered 11 goals and 39 assists for the Canucks last season despite missing nearly 30 games due to injury.

Cassels ranked fourth on the club in assists and points and third in power-play goals with seven. He recorded two goals and an assist in the Canucks'' six-game loss to eventual Stanley Cup champion Detroit in the first round of the playoffs.

"While our priority was to revamp our defensive corps, we also wanted to improve our offense," Columbus president and general manager Doug MacLean said. "Cassels gives us a playmaking center who typically produces nearly a point a game in his NHL career.

He''ll add a nice element to our forwards and we''re excited he chose Columbus."

Orginally taken by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 1987 draft, Cassels has collected 174 goals and 452 assists along with 340 penalty minutes in 847 games with the Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Canucks.

Lightning re-sign Fedotenko, Dwyer

15/08/2002

Restricted free-agent wings Ruslan Fedotenko and Gordie Dwyer re-signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Fedotenko was acquired from Philadelphia in a June trade that sent the No. 4 overall draft pick to the Flyers. He had 17 goals and nine assists in 78 games for Philadelphia last season.

Fedotenko also played for Ukraine in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The 24-year-old Dwyer enters his fourth season with the Lightning. He had two assists in 26 games last season but missed 23 games with a shoulder injury. He also spent time with Springfield of the AHL.

Canadiens C Gilmour to return for 20th NHL season

11/08/2002

Doug Gilmour just isn''t the retiring type.

The 39-year-old center on Friday re-signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who hold an option for the 2003-04 campaign.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Fifth among active players in scoring with 1,384 points, Gilmour will be entering his 20th NHL season in the fall and his second with the Canadiens.

He played in 70 games for Montreal last season, recording 10 goals and a team-high 31 assists.

The Canadiens ended a three-year playoff drought last season before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"Doug Gilmour is a true leader and a proven competitor," Canadiens general manager Andre Savard said. "His NHL experience, his great desire to win and his pride to wear the Canadiens'' uniform largely contributed to the success of our team last season. We are very pleased to have Doug back with us for a second season."

Selected in the fourth round by the St. Louis Blues in 1982, Gilmour has played in 1,412 games -- seventh among active players -- with St. Louis, Calgary, Toronto, New Jersey, Chicago, Buffalo and Montreal.

Gilmour, who won a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989, has three 100-point seasons, including a career-high 127 for the Maple Leafs in 1991-92.

Gilmour also has been a clutch playoff performer, recording 188 points in 182 games, ranking sixth all-time in postseason scoring, second behind Mark Messier among current players.

Blackhawks to sign RW Fleury

08/08/2002

It appears volatile right wing Theo Fleury is headed to the Windy City.

The Denver Post is reporting Tuesday that Fleury, a member of Canada''s gold medal-winning team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, is close to signing with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks are in need of a goal scorer after the departure of right wing Tony Amonte, who signed with the Phoenix Coyotes last month.

Fleury, 34, would reunite with Blackhawks coach Brian Sutter, who coached Fleury in Calgary in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

A three-time 40-goal scorer, Fleury spent the last three seasons with the New York Rangers, but was traded to the San Jose Sharks for a draft choice in the offseason even though he was on the verge of becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Fleury has been beset by personal problems the past two years, including a stay at a drug rehabilitation facility for the final two months of the 2000-01 campaign. Last season, he drew the ire of Rangers coaches with frequent outbursts and ill-timed penalties, resulting in a career-high 216 penalty minutes. He played in all 82 games and had 24 goals and 39 assists.

Fleury spent his first 11 seasons with Calgary before he was traded to Colorado in February 1999 and signed with the Rangers in July 1999. He has 443 career goals and 612 assists for 1,055 points in 1,030 games.

Islanders re-sign RW Mark Parrish

08/08/2002

The New York Islanders on Tuesday re-signed restricted free agent right wing Mark Parrish to a two-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

A first time All-Star last season, Parrish posted career highs with 30 goals and 60 points in 78 games with the Islanders. The 25-year old native of Minnesota added two goals and an assist in seven playoff contests.

Selected by Colorado in the 1996 draft, Parrish spent two seasons with Florida before being traded to the Islanders with Oleg Kvasha in 2000 for Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen.

In 302 career games, Parrish has 97 goals and 171 points while collecting 124 penalty minutes.

Penguins re-sign RW Morozov, avoid arbitration

08/08/2002

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed right wing Aleksey Morozov late Tuesday night, avoiding arbitration.

Terms were not disclosed.

Morozov, 25, was a Group II restricted free agent, meaning the Penguins had the right to match any team''s offer.

Last season, Morozov played 72 games for the Penguins and totaled career highs with 20 goals and 29 assists, ranking third and fourth on the team, respectively.

A 6-1, 202-pound Russian, Morozov has 59 goals, 85 assists and 58 penalty minutes in 349 NHL games. He was the 24th overall pick by Pittsburgh in the 1995 draft.

Senators' Radek Bonk gets two-year deal

08/08/2002

Center Radek Bonk of the Ottawa Senators was awarded a two-year, $6.7-million contract in arbitration Wednesday, nearly doubling his salary from last season.

Bonk, 26, was seeking $3.5 million a year in his hearing on Monday. The new deal will pay him $3.2 million next season and $3.5 million in 2003-04.

The small-budget Senators had reportedly offered Bonk about $5.75 million over two years.

He earned $1.8 million last season when he had a career-high 25 goals and 45 assists.

Gretzky denies comeback rumours

02/08/2002

Phoenix Coyotes managing partner Wayne Gretzky on Friday shot down rumors of a comeback attempt.

Amid published and broadcast reports fueled by former Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick, the 41-year-old Gretzky issued a four-paragraph statement that concluded, "I am not planning on making a comeback to play in the National Hockey League with the Phoenix Coyotes."

Gretzky, the leading scorer in NHL history and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, acknowledged he participated in the Coyotes' four-week voluntary strength and conditioning camp, which included daily on-ice sessions at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Arizona.

"I decided to take part in the camp for several reasons," Gretzky explained. "One, I felt it was a good opportunity for me to train for my own personal well-being and take advantage of the superior instruction offered by the people at API.

"Two, I felt that the strength training would help stabilize my neck injury and possibly help prevent future surgery. Lastly, I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me to skate with some of our future and current Coyotes' players and have some fun."

It was Gretzky's first serious skating session in nearly three years and prompted Roenick -- currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers -- to tell reporters that "The Great One" was considering following the lead of Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux, who came out of retirement during the 2000-01 season.

"Several people have told me he's coming back. He's been working out a lot," Roenick said.

Blues C Ferraro Announces Retirement

02/08/2002

St. Louis Blues center Ray Ferraro, who played in 1,258 games during an 18-year NHL career, on Friday announced his retirement to accept a broadcasting position with ESPN.

In recent years, the 37-year-old Ferraro has filled in as a studio analyst during the network's playoff telecasts.

Ferraro ended his career with 898 points, registering 408 goals and 490 assists. He ranks 36th on the NHL's all-time games played list.

"Ray has been a player that has always handled himself as a class individual and came to the rink every day to play," St. Louis general manager Larry Pleau said. "I have been happy to watch Ray's success throughout his career and we wish him continued success in his future endeavors."

The British Columbia native recorded 12 seasons with 20 or more goals, one 30-goal campaign and two seasons with 40 or more goals.

Ferraro scored a career-high 41 goals for the Hartford Whalers in 1988-89 and registered a career-high 80 points for the New Islanders in 1991-92.

Originally drafted by the Whalers in 1982, Ferraro made his NHL debut in 1984 and spent seven seasons in Hartford. He was traded to the Islanders midway through the 1990-91 campaign and played parts of five seasons for them.

He played in 65 games for the New York Rangers in 1995-96 before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He spent four seasons in Los Angeles before serving as the Atlanta Thrashers captain for three seasons.

During the 2000-01 season, he set single-season Atlanta records for points (76) and assists (47).

"During his three seasons in Atlanta, Ray played a very important role in the development of the Thrashers organization," Atlanta president and general manager Don Waddell said. "He established himself, on and off the ice, as a tremendous leader with an outstanding work ethic and dedication to the community."

Ferraro was traded to St. Louis on March 18 and played in the Blues' final 14 regular season games. In 76 games last season, he registered a combined 14 goals and 23 assists.

Red Wings, Larionov, agree to terms

02/08/2002

The Detroit Red Wings agreed to terms of a one-year contract with center Igor Larionov on Thursday.

Larionov, the oldest player in the NHL at 41, had 11 goals, 32 assists in 70 regular-season games last season for the Stanley Cup champions.

Larionov, a native of Voskresenk, Russia, scored five goals and had six assists in 18 playoff games.

Sabres re-sign C Gratton, Ds Warrener, Campbell

02/08/2002

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday re-signed center Chris Gratton and defensemen Rhett Warrener and Brian Campbell.

Terms were not disclosed.

Gratton was one of five Sabres who played all 82 games last season. Buffalo''s top faceoff performer, he was sixth on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 24 assists, despite a 28-game goal-scoring drought.

Warrener, 26, has been among the Sabres'' leaders in plus-minus over the last three seasons and was a plus-15 in 2001-02. He was third on the team with 113 penalty minutes last season to go with five goals and five assists in 65 games.

"Rhett has been an integral part of our defense corps and in the leadership of our team over the past four seasons," general manager Darcy Regier said. "Chris has been great on faceoffs and adds size at the forward position."

Campbell, 23, had three goals and three assists in 29 games for Buffalo, spending most of last season with Rochester of the American Hockey League. Despite playing just 45 games for the Amerks, he was fifth in scoring with two goals and 35 assists.

"Brian developed at both ends of the ice last season," Regier said. "We look forward to him continuing his development with our organization."

Canadiens re-sign Michel Therrien to two-year contract

02/08/2002

The Montreal Canadiens re-signed head coach Michel Therrien and three assistants to two-year contracts Thursday.

Financial details were not announced.

The 38-year-old Therrien, entering his third season with Montreal, led the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.

The Canadiens are 59-58-18-9 in 142 regular-season games under Therrien.

Assistants Roland Melanson, Rick Green and Clement Jodoin were also re-signed.

Cairns Re-Ups For Two Years

26/07/2002

Defenseman Eric Cairns has agreed to terms with the Islanders on a two-year contract. As per team policy, no other terms of the contract were disclosed.

"With each season, Eric continues to develop as a very reliable defenseman with great competitiveness and a lot of pride in wearing the Islanders sweater," said general manager Mike Milbury. "We've very pleased to have him signed for the next two years."

Known as one of the toughest players in the NHL, Cairns led the Islanders with 176 penalty minutes this past season to go with two goals and seven points in 74 contests. The 6-6, 230-pounder played in all seven playoff games for the Islanders last season against Toronto, accumulating 15 penalty minutes, including a memorable TKO of Shayne Corson in Game Six.

"That game was the highlight of my career so far," Cairns said today. "I can honestly tell you that most of us had never before played in front of a crowd like the one at the Coliseum that night. The fans were the loudest I've ever heard by far, and I've played in a few playoff games in Madison Square Garden."

In 195 career games with the Islanders over the past four seasons, Cairns has six goals, 14 assists and 20 points to go with 501 penalty minutes. The defenseman led the Islanders in penalty minutes with 196 during the 1999-2000 season.

Ironically, Cairns' first NHL goal was against current teammate Chris Osgood on Feb. 25, 2000 while the goaltender was a Detroit Red Wing.

Cairns was originally the Rangers' third choice (72nd overall) in 1992 Entry Draft. He was claimed off waivers by the Islanders from the Blueshirts on Dec. 22, 1998 and made his Islanders' debut on March 9, 1999 vs. Philadelphia.

Devils sign Elias to multiyear deal

16/07/2002

All-Star left wing Patrik Elias signed a three-year contract with the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

As a restricted free agent, Elias, 26, could have fielded offers from other teams, but the Devils had the right to match any deal.

Elias was the team's leading scorer last season with 61 points. He was the Devils' second pick, 51st overall, in the 1994 draft.

Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

"I feel great," Elias said from Trebic, Czech Republic, where he makes his offseason home. "We didn't anticipate this to happen that fast. The Devils showed they appreciate what I did in the past and they wanted me for the future."

Wily Coyotes snap up Amonte

16/07/2002

Ironman Tony Amonte, the Hingham, Mass., native who holds the longest active consecutive games-played streak in the NHL, Friday signed a four-year contract to play for the Phoenix Coyotes. Terms were not disclosed in accord with club policy.

"We are very pleased to have signed Tony Amonte," Coyotes Vice President and General Manager Michael Barnett said. "Tony has been one of the NHL's most exciting players over the last decade. He is a prolific scorer and has been a durable player, having missed only two games in the last eight seasons.

"Tony's leadership skills are obvious, having been Chicago's team captain for each of the last two seasons. He will fit in very well with the team we are building here. His speed on the wing will be a welcome addition to the Coyotes for this upcoming season and for years to come."

The 6-foot, 200-pound Amonte leaves the Chicago Blackhawks after eight full seasons. The Blackhawks failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in four of those seasons and were eliminated in the first round this past season.

Amonte was taken by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 58th overall, of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He will be 32 in August.

Amonte played in all 82 games last season for the Blackhawks, recording 27 goals with 39 assists for 66 points. He also had 67 penalty minutes. Amonte scored six power-play goals, four game-winning goals and one short-handed goal. He finished the season with a plus-11 rating. Amonte also played for Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

A left wing who has also proven adept on the off-wing, Amonte has 352 goals and 372 assists in his 13-year NHL career for 724 points, an impressive .84 points-per-game. He also has 603 penalty minutes in his 861 NHL regular-season games.

Amonte has scored at least 27 goals and 63 points in each of the last seven seasons. He has reached the 40-goal plateau three times and the 30-goal plateau five times. In 55 NHL playoff games, Amonte has registered 16-20-36 and 36 PIM.

"I'm very excited to be joining the Phoenix Coyotes," Amonte said. "They are building a great team and heading in a new direction. I'm proud to be a part of it. The best is still ahead for the Coyotes and I can't wait to get to Phoenix."

The Coyotes finished in a second-place tie with the Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division last season with a 40-27-9-6 mark, good for 95 points. They were defeated in five games by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Amonte owns the NHL's longest active consecutive games-played streak at 410 games. He has not missed a game since the 1996-97 season and has only missed two games over the last eight seasons.

He is a five-time All-Star.

Amonte represented the United States in each of the last two Olympic games (1998-Nagano, 2002-Salt Lake City). Amonte also scored the game-winning goal in the decisive Game 3 against Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

Ironically, Amonte was a prep-school linemate of Jeremy Roenick at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Mass., in the 1980s. Roenick played five seasons for the Coyotes before signing as a free-agent with the Philadelphia Flyers a little over a year ago.

Rangers sign free agent LW Ted Donato

09/07/2002

Veteran left wing Ted Donato will join his eighth team in five years, signing a contract Monday with the New York Rangers.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Donato, 33, appeared in a total of five NHL games last season with three different teams -- the New York Islanders, Los Angeles and St. Louis. He spent a majority of the campaign with Los Angeles' American Hockey League affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, registering 18 goals and 25 assists.

Donato has played in 684 NHL games over 11 seasons, recording 142 goals and 191 assists. He was with Boston from 1991-92 to 1998-99 and also played with Ottawa, Anaheim and Dallas.

Sharks officially announce change of arena name

09/07/2002

Due to the recent merger between high-tech firms Hewlett-Packard Co. and Compaq Computer Corp., the San Jose Sharks will have their home arena renamed for the second time in two years.

The facility, which had been called the San Jose Arena until last year, was renamed the Compaq Center when that company bought the naming rights. But when Compaq was swallowed up by HP this May, HP chairwoman and CEO Carly Fiorina said the arena's name would change to the HP Pavilion.

Sharks President Greg Jamison said Monday the NHL team and HP have reached final agreement on that name switch, contingent upon approval from the San Jose City Council. The Sharks' deal with HP runs through 2015.

Rangers sign Richter to multi-year contract

09/07/2002

After spending the first few days of free agency adding a few new faces, the New York Rangers worked out a deal with a familiar one.

In desperate need of a goaltender, the Rangers on Thursday signed longtime netminder Mike Richter to a multi-year contract.

Terms of the deal were not specified but media reports tag the contract at two years for a total of $8 million. Even though Richter only has played for the Rangers in his 14-year career, the Rangers actually signed him away from the Edmonton Oilers, who acquired him just before the re-signing deadline on Sunday night.

The 35-year-old Richter was a disappointing 24-26-4 with a 2.95 goals-against average in 2001-02. He has been hampered by injuries over the last two seasons but is the Rangers' all-time leader in games played by a goaltender (653) and wins (296).

"Mike Richter is synonymous with the tradition and class of this organization and we are excited to have him remain in a Rangers sweater," said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. "He is among the elite goaltenders in the league and has been the cornerstone of this franchise for several years."

The signing comes on the heels of two big acquisitions by the Rangers, who have not reached the postseason since 1996-97. On Monday, the team shelled out $45 million over five years for center Bobby Holik and the next day locked up defenseman Darius Kasparaitis to a six-year, $27 million deal.

The Rangers may have been eyeing a change from Richter but were left with few viable options when Curtis Joseph signed with Detroit and Ed Belfor joined Toronto.

A three-time Olympian, Richter was the starting goaltender for the United States in the 2002 Winter Olympics. He went 2-1-1 with his only loss coming in the gold medal game against Canada.

Richter has a career record of 296-252-72 with a 2.89 GAA. He is 41-33 with a 2.68 ERA in 76 postseason contests.

Drafted by the Rangers in 1985, Richter's best season was 1993-94, when he was 42-12-6 and backstopped New York to its first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

Wings get another star goalie in Joseph

03/07/2002

Curtis Joseph wants what the Detroit Red Wings already have.

"There's no guarantees that I'll go to Detroit and win a Stanley Cup. But I'd like to take that opportunity," Joseph said Tuesday after signing a $24 million, three-year contract with Detroit .

His signing prompted the Maple Leafs to sign Joseph's teammate on Canada's Olympic team, Ed Belfour.

After that, the free-spending New York Rangers signed agitator Darius Kasparaitis - their second acquisition in as many days.

In other moves Tuesday, Chicago re-signed goalie Steve Passmore, who had eight wins in 23 regular-season games with a career-best 2.26 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

Dallas signed defenseman Philippe Boucher to a four-year contract, and forward Martin Gelinas, whose overtime goal put the Carolina Hurricanes into the Stanley Cup finals, signed with the Calgary Flames.

Left among the prominent free agents are Tony Amonte of Chicago, Bill Guerin of Boston and Teemu Selanne of San Jose.

Joseph compiled a 133-88-27 record and a 2.42 goals-against average in four seasons with Toronto. Now he could become the fourth starting goalie to win a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in seven years.

"Detroit offers a very unique opportunity," Joseph said. "Everybody who plays there says the future is now. That was enticing." Joseph will replace Dominik Hasek, who retired after winning the Cup. Chris Osgood backstopped the Wings to the Cup in 1998, a year after Mike Vernon was the starter.

"This was an offer that was tough to refuse," Joseph said. "It's a great team that just won the Stanley Cup. ... Every year, you see the big cup being raised, and if you're not on the ice, you're dreaming about it." Joseph fills the Wings' biggest need, though they still have yet to re-sign defenseman Chris Chelios to their glittering roster.

Nicklas Lidstrom thinks Joseph will be a good fit with the Red Wings.

"I think maybe in Toronto, he and (captain Mats) Sundin were the two big players with all the focus on them." said Lidstrom, who won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP and the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman.

"With us, he'll have other guys to take the pressure off him." Belfour, signed to replace Joseph, was 21-27-11 with a 2.65 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage (29th among starters) last season with Dallas. Marty Turco will replace Belfour with the Stars.

The Rangers are still looking for a starting goalie, and they intend to re-sign Mike Richter.

Mike Richter is still available, though the Rangers intend to re-sign him, general manager Glen Sather said.

"I said all along that I'd like to sign Mike, and we're still going to proceed along with that plan," Sather said.

Kasparaitis, a gritty player with the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh and most recently Colorado, joins Holik on the Rangers.

Holik signed a five-year, $45-million deal with New York on Monday, leaving the rival New Jersey Devils.

"Of course, they're going to have a physical presence with me and Bobby," Kasparaitis said. "As a new member, I'm trying to fit the team perfectly, and I'm trying to make a good chemistry with the players."

Kasparaitis becomes second free agent to join Rangers

03/07/2002

Two days into the free-agent signing period, the New York Rangers are suddenly a whole lot tougher.

Darius Kasparaitis became the Rangers' second big acquisition this week when the hard-hitting defenseman agreed to a six-year deal on Tuesday worth a reported $25.5 million.

On Monday, the first day teams could talk to unrestricted free agents other than their own, New York signed rugged center Bobby Holik from the New Jersey Devils for five years and $45 million.

"I think it's just team commitment, I think the Rangers are a good team," Kasparaitis said. "As a new member I'm trying to fit the team perfectly." Kasparaitis left the Colorado Avalanche, taking the Rangers' offer over one presented by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"They paid more and they were more flexible on the structure," said Kasparaitis' agent, Mark Gandler.

A recruitment DVD the Rangers sent and calls from new coach Bryan Trottier also made a difference, Kasparaitis said. Trottier was an assistant coach for Kasparaitis in both Pittsburgh and Colorado.

The Avalanche never made much of an effort to keep Kasparaitis after they acquired him from Pittsburgh late last season. The offensive-minded Avalanche didn't suit Kasparaitis' style.

"I didn't like it in the beginning because it kind of kept me back," he said. "It was tough for me because I was one of the most liked players in Pittsburgh." Kasparaitis was often a nemesis of the Rangers from his days with the rival New York Islanders and Penguins. He often drew the assignment of containing and getting under the skin of centers Mark Messier and Eric Lindros.

"I did some damage to Eric before, and now we're going to be teammates," Kasparaitis said. "He wants me to be on his team." Last summer, Kasparaitis was awarded a two-year, $2.4-million contract in arbitration with the Penguins. He was paid a total of $1.15 million by the Penguins and Avalanche for the past season.

Holik became disenchanted with the Devils after he went to arbitration with them a year ago.

"Things have certainly worked very well," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said. "You know, we had a lot of irons in the fire, but this was the way we had things planned." NHL players normally don't reach unrestricted free agency until they are 31, but Kasparaitis became eligible at 29 because he is a 10-year veteran who earned less than the league average of $1.5 million. That allowed him to void the second year of the arbitration award.

Only five players fit that category this year, and Kasparaitis was the most attractive defenseman available on the free-agent market. He had two goals and 12 assists last season, with 142 penalty minutes.

"I play a good defensive hockey game," Kasparaitis said.

New York allowed 258 goals last season, more than any team but Atlanta - the NHL's worst club.

Now the Rangers will set their sights on finding a No. 1 goalie. Mike Richter has held that position for the better part of 12 seasons, but he is also an unrestricted free agent.

It became more likely on Tuesday that Richter would return to the Rangers, when Curtis Joseph left Toronto for Detroit, and former Dallas goalie Ed Belfour took his place with the Maple Leafs.

"I said all along that I'd like to sign Mike, and we're still going to proceed along with that plan," Sather said.

Sharks obtain rights to RW Fleury from Rangers

27/06/2002

The San Jose Sharks on Wednesday acquired the rights to volatile right wing Theo Fleury from the New York Rangers, completing a draft day trade in which the teams swapped sixth-round picks.

The Sharks have five days to negotiate with Fleury, who becomes an unrestricted free agent Monday. If they are unable to sign him, they likely would receive a high compensatory draft pick.

"It's a win-win situation," San Jose general manager Dean Lombardi said. "Each team gets something of value in the deal."

Fleury, who turns 34 on Saturday, was paid $6.5 million last season but drew the ire of Rangers coaches with frequent outburst and ill-timed penalties. One of the most vilified opponents ever to play in San Jose, he tussled with the Sharks' mascot following a game last December 28.

A three-time 40-goal scorer, Fleury also did not figure in New York's plans for next season.

The diminutive but fiery Fleury entered the NHL's substance abuse program and missed the final two months of the 2000-01 campaign. But he returned to the Rangers last season and played all 82 games, totaling 24 goals, 39 assists and a career-high 216 penalty minutes. He also won a gold medal with Canada at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

Fleury spent most of his career in the Western Conference with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche and has 29 goals and 30 assists in 51 games against San Jose.

Earlier Wednesday, the Sharks made a formal contract offer to right wing Teemu Selanne, who also is five days away from unrestricted free agency. San Jose is not likely to sign both Fleury and Selanne.

"We made a very fair and competitive offer," Sharks president and CEO Greg Jamison said. "Obviously, the proposal was made because we want Teemu to remain a part of the Sharks family."

A champion at last, Hasek calls it a career

26/06/2002

Dominik Hasek will miss the victories, the practices and his teammates. But one of hockey's most accomplished goaltenders understands all too well it's time to leave.

"I don't want to put goalie pads on again," said Hasek, who retired Tuesday, less than two weeks after finally winning a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings.

He will, however, get back on the ice for fun with friends in the Czech Republic.

"If I play hockey, I will be the forward," Hasek said with a grin.

Hasek spent only one season with the Red Wings, but it was enough to top off his resume with a title that had eluded him for so long.

"Winning the Cup has been everything I could ever ask for," Hasek said.

"After 21 years of playing professional hockey at the highest level, I do not feel that I have enough fire in me to compete at the level that I expect of myself." The announcement by the likely Hall of Famer follows that of coach Scotty Bowman, who retired the night the Red Wings won the Cup.

"He left from the top, and I can say the same thing," Hasek said. "It's a dream of many athletes." Ray Bourque did the same in 2001, capping a 22-year career with his only Stanley Cup. Bourque was traded by Boston, following 20 1/2 seasons with the Bruins, and helped Colorado to the title in his final NHL season.

It will be tough for Detroit to replace Hasek, but possible candidates include Toronto's Curtis Joseph, who becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if he doesn't re-sign with the Maple Leafs.

Other high-profile goalies who could be unrestricted free agents are Boston's Byron Dafoe, the New York Rangers' Mike Richter and Dallas' Ed Belfour. The Stars have said they will not re-sign Belfour.

Captain Steve Yzerman, who will not offer his opinions on the coaching search, did suggest the best way to attract a new goalie.

"You get on the phone and get your checkbook ready," Yzerman said.

Hasek sought a trade to Detroit because he wasn't satisfied with his six Vezina Trophies as the NHL's best goalie, two Hart Trophies as the league's MVP and a gold medal with the Olympic champion Czech Republic at the 1998 Nagano Games.

"It was the best decision I made throughout my hockey career," Hasek said.

"I am and will be a Red Wing forever." Hasek wanted his name on the Cup and guaranteed he would wear the winged wheel on his chest for one season. The Red Wings gave him $8 million for one season, with another $1 million bonus for winning the Cup. The team held options for two additional years.

It all paid off June 13 when Detroit defeated Carolina in Game 5 to win the Cup.

"He held up his end of the bargain," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said.

"The Dominator" led the NHL with 41 wins during the regular season, then said he was nervous before the playoffs because of the Cup-or-bust expectations in Detroit. He hadn't experienced such pressure in his previous 11 playoff appearances with the Buffalo Sabres, whom he led to the 1999 finals, or the Chicago Blackhawks.

After a shaky start, he recorded six shutouts - two more than any goalie ever in the playoffs.

"We would not have won the Cup without him," Ilitch said.

Hasek's retirement was not his first. While with the Sabres, he announced that the 1999-00 season would be his last. But after missing much of the season with a groin injury, Hasek reconsidered and wanted another chance to win the Cup in Buffalo.

Hasek said then that an extended stay in the United States would make it hard on his son, Michael, to adjust to life in the Czech Republic, where the goaltender wanted to return with his family.

"We're all a little disappointed, but when you listen to the reasons he's doing it, you can't disagree or argue," Yzerman said. "It's a decision between him and his wife, not me and him, or Dominik and the Red Wings. He doesn't live in Toronto or Chicago. He's a long ways from home, and he wants to live there."

Capitals select minor league coach to take the reins

26/06/2002

The Washington Capitals, looking for a young and aggressive coach, on Tuesday hired Bruce Cassidy, who has never spent a day behind the bench in the NHL.

The 37-year Cassidy does not believe inexperience will hurt him, and is determined to show general manager George McPhee he made the "right choice." "I don't think that is going to stop what I'm going to try to do which is to win and make our players better players and better people," Cassidy said.

When the process started eight weeks ago, McPhee said he had someone in mind but wanted to take a look at a few individuals before making a final decision.

"It started out of a fear of not wanting to fail and not going through a lot of coaches," McPhee said. "We wanted to make sure we took our time and found the right guy for the long term for this team." McPhee said the ownership was impressed with Cassidy's poise, his relationship with his players and how he crafted a system that worked.

"We asked our pro scouts to submit a short list of people and Bruce was on the list," McPhee said. "They said his teams were always well coached." Cassidy spent the last two seasons with Grand Rapids in the AHL. He led the Griffins to a division championship and a 42-27-11-0 record in his first year.

He also had coaching stints in the old International Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.

Before coaching, Cassidy played 13 years as a defenseman. He was the Chicago Blackhawks' first pick in the 1983 NHL draft. He also played in the AHL, IHL and Europe.

Cassidy, who arrived here late Monday and agreed to a contract Tuesday, said after seeing his name on ESPN, he knew he had arrived.

"I'm anxious, I'm grateful, I'm nervous," he said. "I certainly didn't see it coming this year." Cassidy replaces Ron Wilson, fired May 10 after the Caps failed make the playoffs. Wilson had a five-year run in Washington, including a Stanley Cup finals appearance in 1998.

Another Cup for the Red Wings

16/06/2000

On the night he won his ninth - and final - Stanley Cup, a retirement-bound Scotty Bowman upstaged his Detroit Red Wings stars who finally got their first.

Dominik Hasek finally won the Cup he has chased throughout a Hall of Fame career - and 600-goal scorer Luc Robitaille did, too - as the Red Wings beat Carolina 3-1 Thursday night to win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons.

Bowman won a record ninth Stanley Cup as coach, breaking a tie with Toe Blake, and then announced his retirement before putting on his skates to take a victory lap.

"It's my last game as a coach. I've been thinking about it," he said, making the announcement even before NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presented the Red Wings with the silver cup. "I made up my mind at the Olympic break.

"It's time to go," said the 68-year-old Bowman, who will stay with the team as a consultant. "I just told my wife 10 minutes ago. I'm not an old man, but it's time to go. I never knew before, but I felt this year that this was it. I'm so happy that I was able to go out with a winning team." Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said, "We just had a big hug, he whispered in my ear, 'I've got to go.' I just said, 'Thank you, Scotty."' Just as he did after winning his first Cup with Detroit in 1997, Bowman carried the cup around the ice with his players.

"I wanted to do it again," Bowman said. "I enjoy being with the guys." Bowman said he wasn't thinking as much of his own record as he was those who hadn't won the Cup: Hasek and Robitaille, being the most prominent.

"What a win. ... That's what I'm thinking about. The guys who hadn't won," Bowman said.

Tomas Holmstrom, a surprising scorer for much of the playoffs, and Brendan Shanahan, a surprising non-scorer for most of the last two rounds, scored Detroit's goals in tightly played Game 5 that mirrored one of the most defense-dominated finals ever, with only 21 goals scored.

The Red Wings sealed it with Shanahan's empty-net goal with 45 seconds left, his second of the game and third in two games after he went 10 games with only one goal.

Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs - the first European to win it, just as Hasek is the first European goalie to lead his team to the Cup.

Bowman, who first coached in the finals during the 1960s, became the second major pro sports coach in two nights to win a ninth title, joining Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach is the only other coach with nine titles in any of the four major sports.

But this title also will be remembered for being Hasek's first, just as Ray Bourque's first with Colorado was a year ago.

Hasek, who at 37 also now retire now that he's got a Cup, finally gave up a goal - Jeff O'Neill's line drive that he had no chance to play late in the second period - after shutting out Carolina for more than 166 minutes.

But it was Hasek's almost perfect play in the final three games and the timely scoring of Brett Hull and Igor Larionov that turned around the series and finished a season dominated by Red Wings from start to finish. Their Presidents' Trophy for winning the regular season was all but assured by a 22-3-1 start.

From the time Hull scored with just over a minute left in Game 3 to prevent Detroit from going down 2-1 in the series, allowing Larionov to win it late in the third overtime, Detroit outscored Carolina 8-1.

Detroit teased its fans throughout the first period Thursday night without a series of good scoring chances without getting the first goal, only to get it early in the second period.

Holmstrom, skating down the slot, stuck out his stick with his right hand to deflect Larionov's pass from the right circle through Arturs Irbe's pads.

Holmstrom's eighth goal of the playoffs, at 4:07 of the second, was all a jammed Joe Louis Arena crowd needed to erupt into a wave of red and white - many in replica Red Wings jerseys.

If the first goal looked big in a low-scoring finals in which the no winning team has scored more than three goals, the second looked even bigger.

In a series in which nearly every key goal was scored at even strength, Shanahan powered in a shot from the right circle at 14:04 - only the third Detroit goal in 22 power-play chances.

But, turned aside repeatedly for the equivalent of 2 1/2 games by Hasek, the Hurricanes finally scored on O'Neill's power play goal at 18:50, only the second in 23 chances for the Hurricanes.

The goal ended Hasek's scoreless streak at 166 minutes, 3 seconds dating to O'Neill's third-period goal in Detroit's three-overtime victory in Game 3.

Hasek shut out the Hurricanes 3-0 in Game 4 on Monday night.

Hasek didn't have a chance on O'Neill's slap shot from the edge of the right circle as the puck slammed off the rear of the net and came out so quickly it took a lengthy video review to uphold the goal.

Until then, Detroit - determined not to let the series go back to Carolina for a Game 6 on the Hurricanes' home ice - had nearly all the good scoring chances, with Robitaille hitting the left post in the first period and Sergei Fedorov halted by Irbe on a short breakaway later in the period.

Hasek's best save came late in the first when, after a Detroit giveaway in its own end, he just got his left skate out to turn aside a Sami Kapanen shot from five feet. Kapanen, Carolina's second-leading goal scorer during the season, scored only one goal in the playoffs.

Notes: Until Shanahan scored, 10 consecutive goals in the series were at even
strength. ... Detroit had lost its last eight Stanley Cup finals in which it lost Game 1, but has now won five consecutive playoff series in which it lost the opener. ... Bowman, at 68 years, eight months, is the second oldest coach to win a major pro sports championship. Chicago Bears coach George Halas won a title at 68 years, 11 months in 1963. ... Detroit has won eight consecutive potential series-ending games. ... Ten Red Wings also played on their 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup champions.

A perfect ending to a perfect career

16/06/2000

With no records left to break, 68-year-old Scotty Bowman skated away from coaching with the Stanley Cup over his head. And, really, it was the only way his sensational 30-year NHL career could end.

Bowman, who owns just about every coaching record in the NHL -- regular-season wins, playoff wins, Stanley Cups -- announced his retirement immediately after the Wings clinched their third Cup in six years (all under Bowman). As he did in 1998, Bowman laced up his skates and took a final spin around the ice.

Detroit captain Steve Yzerman, who said he learned of Bowman's decision on the ice after the game, called for Bowman to be the first man to carry the Cup. Afterward, he credited his coach for the team's long-standing success.

"He came here and he turned us around," said Yzerman, who became a more complete player and leader under Bowman. "He taught us what we have to do to win.

"Through the years, he kept us motivated. We couldn't have done any of this without him."

Bowman, who claimed his ninth Cup as a coach (he also won one as director of player personnel for the Penguins) to pass Montreal legend Toe Blake for the NHL record, decided to retire several months ago, telling only a few close friends.

"I made my decision during the Olympic break," Bowman explained. "It's a pretty constant chore to be a head coach of an NHL team. I just felt it was time."

Bowman's all-star cast, many of who will join their coach in the Hall of Fame, said it was an honor to play for him.

Fans congratulate 'Canes on best season

16/06/2000

The Carolina Hurricanes celebrated their best season ever Saturday night, two days after losing to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals.

A crowd estimated at 6,000 cheered as each player was introduced and jogged onto an outdoor stage in front of the downtown convention center.

"It looks pretty unbelievable. The fan support this year has been pretty unbelievable," Bates Battaglia said.

Near the stage, Missy Sink of Clayton held up a sign asking to marry the 26-year-old player.

"I'm not kidding," the 25-year-old woman said.

After winning only one NHL playoff series dating to their days as the Hartford Whalers, the Hurricanes reached the finals by beating New Jersey, Montreal and Toronto.

"The next time we all get together like this, we've got to make sure we bring Stanley with us," captain Ron Francis said.

NHL play-offs 2002

15/06/2000

SERIES COVERAGE
Stanley Cup Finals
Detroit		Carolina
Game 1	Tue. June 4	@ DET	Car. 3, Det. 2 (OT)
Game 2	Thu. June 6	@ DET	Det. 3, Car. 1
Game 3	Sat. June 8	@ CAR	Det. 3, Car. 2 (3OT)
Game 4	Mon. June 10	@ CAR	Det. 3, Car. 0
Game 5	Thu. June 13	@ DET	Det. 3, Car. 1
Detroit wins 4-1
Breakdown | The Edge
Eastern Finals		Western Finals
CAR def. TOR, 4-2		DET def. COL. 4-3
Eastern Semis		Western Semis
CAR def. MON, 4-2 TOR def. OTT, 4-3		DET def. STL, 4-1 COL def. SJ, 4-3
Eastern Quarters		Western Quarters
MON def. BOS, 4-2 OTT def. PHI, 4-1 CAR def. NJ, 4-2 TOR def. NYI, 4-3		DET def. VAN, 4-2 COL def. LA, 4-3 SJ def. PHO, 4-1 STL def. CHI, 4-1

Lemieux confirms he will play next season

07/06/2000

In good shape and without any physical problems, Mario Lemieux said Friday he will return to the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.

Lemieux spoke publicly for the first time since early March when he announced a premature end to the 2001-02 season because of a nagging hip injury. He announced his return during the Mario Lemieux Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Club in Nevillewood.

"I just started working out in early May to try to keep in shape," Lemieux said.

Lemieux played just 24 games in the regular season after injuring his hip during the preseason in early September. He also took time off for surgery and to help Team Canada win the gold medal during the Winter Olympics.

The Penguins' captain and owner says he's looking forward to working out with some NHL players in early August, a month before Pittsburgh begins training camp.

"That's when we're going to start skating with Mark Recchi and Kevin Stevens and a bunch of guys that are here in Pittsburgh," Lemieux said.

Trottier named to coach Rangers

06/06/2000

Bryan Trottier, who won four Stanley Cups playing for the New York Islanders, was introduced today as the new head coach of the archrival New York Rangers.

This is Trottier's first NHL head-coaching job, although he was a head coach in the American Hockey League with the Portland Pirates, a Washington Capitals affiliate, and an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Colorado Avalanche.

"Since joining the coaching ranks in 1994, Bryan Trottier has demonstrated the same type of passion, determination and knowledge of the game that he displayed during his Hall of Fame playing career. I am confident that he is the ideal leader for the New York Rangers," GM Glen Sather said.

Trottier replaces Ron Low who was dismissed on April 15 after coaching the Rangers for two years.

The Rangers had a 36-38-4-4 record for 80 points and a fourth-place finish in the Atlantic Division last season. They had the 11th-best record in the 15-team Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

Trottier, 45, has won seven Stanley Cups, six as a player. He won four while centering Mike Bossy and Clark Gilles on the New York Islanders' top line during their run of four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980-83. He won two more late in his 18-year career while with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.

"One of the five best lines in hockey history," said Sather, who was coach and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers when they were swept by the Islanders in the 1983 Stanley Cup Finals and when they defeated the Islanders in five games in 1984 for the first of their five Stanley Cups.

Stars name Carbonneau special assistant to general manager

27/04/2000

Guy Carbonneau, a member of three teams that won Stanley Cups, was named Monday as a special assistant to Dallas Stars general manager Doug Armstrong.

Carbonneau, who spent the past two seasons as assistant coach in Montreal, was given a three-year contract.

"When I became general manager, Guy was the name at the top of my list of people to join our management team," Armstrong said Monday. "His experience and knowledge of the league will provide me with a strong sounding board, and he will play a strong role in the direction of our team." Carbonneau, an 18-year NHL veteran, announced his retirement as a player in July 2000 after spending his last five seasons with the Stars. He was on the Stars when they won the Stanley Cup in 1999 and also played on Cup-winning teams for Montreal in 1986 and 1993.

The 42-year-old Carbonneau was reported to be a candidate for the Stars' head coach position, before Dave Tippett was hired May 16.

Carbonneau is second in NHL history with 231 playoff game appearances.

Forsberg cleared to play in first round

17/04/2000

Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg has been cleared to play for the playoffs.

Forsberg, a six-time All-Star, was expected to miss four months after having foot surgery on Jan. 10. But he has been skating with the team for more than two weeks and was cleared to play on Tuesday.

"The leg has felt great and there was a lot of progress made last week," said Forsberg, who is expected to be in the lineup against Los Angeles on Thursday. "I am really healthy now and I feel great. It will be great to get back."

Forsberg has had four foot surgeries and his spleen removed in the past 11 months.

"There were lots of smiling faces. That is for sure," Colorado coach Bob Hartley said of the team learning the news. "It is great news at this time of the year to be adding a world class player to your roster."

Forsberg said last week that he wasn't sure if he would be ready for the playoffs after experiencing pain in his foot. He said he began feeling better late in the week and possibly could have played Sunday against Dallas in the season finale.

"I probably could have played, but it was totally unnecessary," Forsberg said. "It was not that an important of a game and we thought a couple of more days rest would be better."

Hartley said Forsberg will move to left wing and skate on the second line with Chris Drury and Steven Reinprecht.

Forsberg said it will be up to the coaching staff how much he plays, but he expects to be on the ice at least a few shifts Thursday.

No matter how much he plays, his return gives the Avs a boost.

"It's going to be huge, obviously. He's one of the better players in the game," Colorado captain Joe Sakic said. "I think right now he's not going to be at his top form -- hopefully he will -- but I think it'll take a couple of games. Especially with the adrenaline, it's going to be a big boost for our hockey club."

Forsberg had his spleen removed in an emergency operation on May 10, just hours after the Avalanche eliminated the Kings in the second round of the playoffs last season. In July, he had surgery on both ankles, then additional surgery on his left ankle in Sweden.

Forsberg was expected to be back for the start of the season, but took an unexpected leave of absence to let his body heal. He returned to Denver in January with the intention of playing for the Avalanche and for Sweden in the Olympics, but a routine physical revealed the tendon damage.

"It was so long ago since I've played," Forsberg said. "It is going to be hard. It will feel weird when I get out there, but I am going to go out there and do my best."

Forsberg's return comes at a good time for the Avalanche.

Colorado set a franchise record for fewest goals in a season with 212 and were shut out 10 times, another record. The Avalanche did score 17 goals in a four-game span at the end of March and beginning of April, but averaged just 2.2 goals their last five games of the season.

Forsberg had 27 goals and 89 points last season as Colorado led the NHL with 270 goals. He has 169 goals and 411 assists in 466 NHL games, and 42 goals and 66 assists in 96 playoff games.

"He adds that other element that no other team really has," Sakic said. "He can do it all, the physical game, handles that puck better than anybody, can make plays. It's definitely going to create a lot more offensive chances for us."

The Avalanche claimed the Northwest Division title for the eighth consecutive season this year and finished second in the Western Conference behind the Detroit Red Wings.

Paired Up For Playoffs

15/04/2000

It came down to the final games -- the Isles' win over Philly and the Coyotes' win over Nashville -- now all the dance cards are filled for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

2002 Stanley Cup playoffs schedule

Eastern Conference:

Boston vs. Montreal
Thursday, April 18 at Boston, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sunday, April 21 at Boston, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23 at Montreal, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Thursday, April 25 at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 at Boston, 1 p.m., if necessary
Monday, April 29 at Montreal, 7 p.m., if necessary
Tuesday, April 30 at Boston, 7 p.m., if necessary

Nice View From Top

14/04/2002

It took a few tries, but the Boston Bruins clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a bang Saturday night. Glen Murray netted a hat trick in the Bruins' 7-1 rout of the Penguins, ending a five-game losing streak and giving them home-ice through the first three playoff rounds.

The No. 2 vs. No. 7 was set with a Flyers' win and a Senators' loss, while the remaining matchups will be sealed Sunday.

Forsberg's still skipping contact drills

14/04/2002