Avalanche sign F Stewart to 2-yr. deal (AP)
The Colorado Avalanche remain committed to their youth movement, signing forward Chris Stewart to a two-year deal. The 22-year-old Stewart led the team with 28 goals last season and finished with 64 points. The deal’s terms weren’t disclosed. Colorado general manager Greg Sherman says the team is looking forward to seeing Stewart “build on what he started a year ago.” The Avalanche…
Canadiens re-sign G Price to 2-year deal (AP)
The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed restricted free-agent goalie Carey Price to a two-year contract. The 22-year-old goaltender signed the new contract on Thursday, ending two months of negotiations with the Canadiens. Price has spent his entire career in Montreal after being selected fifth overall in the 2005 NHL draft.
Pens F Staal hampered by foot infection (AP)
Penguins forward Jordan Staal is expected to miss the start of training camp as he recovers from an infection to his right foot, which was severely injured during the NHL playoffs. Staal’s offseason preparation has been hampered by the infection, which developed after he twice had surgery to repair a lacerated tendon.
Sharks sign Stanley Cup-winning G Niemi (AP)
The San Jose Sharks signed the goalie who helped knock them out of the playoffs, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal with Antti Niemi on Thursday. Niemi joins fellow Finnish netminder Antero Niittymaki in San Jose as the replacements for longtime starter Evgeni Nabokov. Niittymaki signed a two-year, $4 million deal on the first day of free agency in July.
Ex-coach Demers facing third operation (AP)
Jacques Demers, the former NHL coach turned Canadian senator, said he will have a third operation after nearly dying during a botched hernia procedure. The 66-year-old Demers made his first public appearance since the initial operation when he joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday at an outdoor rally.
NHL extends deadline on Kovalchuk deal (AP)
The NHL has extended its deadline to Friday for approving Ilya Kovalchuk’s $100 million, 15-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. The league and the NHL Players’ Association announced the new deadline Wednesday. The NHL has already rejected a front-loaded, 17-year deal valued at $102 million because the structure of the deal would have circumvented the league’s salary cap.
Oilers G Khabibulin gets 30 days in jail (AP)
Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin of Russia has been sentenced to 30 days in jail stemming from his Arizona drunken-driving conviction. The four-time All-Star received the sentence Tuesday in Scottsdale City Court. He also was fined $5,100 and must enroll in an alcohol-treatment program. He was ordered to report to jail Saturday, but that could be delayed because he’s appealing his…
Sabres re-sign F Ellis to 1-year deal (AP)
The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Matt Ellis to a one-year contract. A gritty fourth-line player, Ellis rejoins the team for a third season after setting career-highs with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and 72 games played last year. The signing was announced by the team as Ellis celebrated his 29th birthday on Tuesday.
D Chelios, 48, retires after 26 seasons (AP)
Chris Chelios, the longest-tenured defenseman in NHL history, is finally hanging up his skates. After 26 NHL seasons and three Stanley Cups, Chelios announced his retirement Tuesday at the age of 48. “I guess I’ve been dreading this day for a long time,” he said at a news conference in Detroit.
Islanders, Weight agree to 1-year deal (AP)
The New York Islanders have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with team captain Doug Weight. Weight and will be playing his 20th NHL season, and his third the Islanders. Last year, the 39-year-old center had one goal and 16 assists in 36 games before he missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.