Flyers to play in Winter Classic at Fenway



The Philadelphia Flyers will accept an invitation to play the Boston Bruins in the NHL Winter Classic in Fenway Park on New Year's Day, a source told ESPN.com's E.J. Hradek.

Earlier reports indicated the Washington Capitals would play the Bruins in the third Winter Classic. But the NHL has an eye on matching the Capitals and the Rangers at the new Yankee Stadium on New Year's Day 2011.

Also, a plan for a New Year's Day 2010 Winter Classic doubleheader (Flyers versus Bruins at Fenway; Leafs versus Flames at McMahon Stadium in Calgary) continues to move forward. The first game is set. The second half of the twin bill should get the approval of the league's competition committee, which will meet tomorrow morning in Montreal.

www.espn.com

AVS' SAKIC ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 20 SEASONS



Stoic Joe Sakic finally cracked, allowing for a rare show of emotion.

Delivering a speech that had kept him up most of the night fretting, the longtime Colorado Avalanche captain broke down, his voice betraying him as he stared into a room packed with family, friends and teammates -- even the governor of the state.

Sakic officially hung up his skates Thursday, ending his standout 20-year career. Try as he might, he simply couldn't get through his prepared speech without choking up.

"So many great memories," Sakic said, fighting back tears.

The pride of Burnaby, B.C., Sakic had hoped to play one more season, possibly culminating his career by suiting up for Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

His body simply wouldn't allow it.

Sakic missed most of the 2008-09 season with an aching back that required surgery to repair a herniated disk. He tried to make his way back onto the ice before the end of the season, but couldn't.

That's when he suspected his career was finished.

"I didn't think I could be the player I wanted to be," said the 40-year-old Sakic, who has been the face of the franchise since the team moved to Denver in 1995. "I always said to myself that the minute I thought I'd slipped, and not be the player I wanted to be, it was time for me to go."

Sakic announced his retirement in the same room of a Denver hotel where John Elway did. Only fitting, since both were icons in the Mile High City.

"We can't put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans," Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said.

Sakic's No. 19 sweater will also be retired, getting raised to the Pepsi Centre rafters during a ceremony at the season opener, which is not yet scheduled.

It will be just the third in the 14-year history of the Avalanche, joining Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). The organization also retired four when they were the Quebec Nordiques.

"He's such a great leader. He made the team top-notch," Paul Stastny said.

Sakic once played alongside Paul Stastny's father, Peter, the two on the same power-play unit in Quebec.

"He was a complete player and one of the greatest in history," Peter Stastny said in a statement.

Sakic certainly had an impressive resume.

He wore the captain's "C" for 16 straight seasons and guided the team to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, won league MVP honours in 2001, was a 13-time all-star and led Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2002.

Sakic also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 2001, showing his true character by handing the Stanley Cup over to Bourque after winning the title and letting the longtime defenseman hoist the trophy.

It was a moment that friend and longtime teammate Adam Foote mentioned in his speech Thursday.

"A humble superstar that you are, you stood back, you let a gray-bearded, 22-year seasoned veteran, who was waiting patiently like a young boy on Christmas morning, hoist his first Stanley Cup," Foote said.

"That class act of yours might go down in history as one of the NHL's most memorable moments that united the entire hockey world."

Foote will remember Sakic as much for his class as his clutch play on the ice.

So will Lacroix, who choked up repeatedly when giving his speech. Sakic waited to announce his retirement until Lacroix was healed following complications from a knee replacement surgery.

"My family and I are privileged to know you. We're better people because of that," Lacroix said. "You make everyone around you so much better."

Known for his lethal wrist shot and precision passing, Sakic leaves the game among the NHL's career scoring leaders. He's eighth in points (1,641), 11th in assists (1,016) and 14th in goals (625).

He was never an intimidating presence -- he's only five-foot-11 and 195 pounds -- but made up for it with determination and intelligence.

There are only four players in league history that have scored more points with one franchise than Sakic: Gordie Howe (1,809) and Steve Yzerman (1,755) with Detroit, Mario Lemieux with Pittsburgh (1,723) and Wayne Gretzky with Edmonton (1,669).

Sakic was originally taken by Quebec with the 15th pick in the 1987 draft. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 6, 1988, picking up his first assist against the then Hartford Whalers. Two nights later against New Jersey, he scored his first goal.

That would be a familiar occurrence for the quiet superstar.

"I'm sad to see him leave the game," former teammate Peter Forsberg said in a statement. "I'm glad I got the chance to play alongside him for many years ... He's a very classy person and a great team leader."

www.tsn.ca

Schade, schade, schade.
Sakic rulezzzzz!!

Tavares makes his Islanders debut



After days filled with news conferences and other off-ice obligations, John Tavares is happy to be doing what he likes best – playing hockey.

Tavares stepped on the ice as an NHL player for the first time just after 11 a.m. on Friday when his group began its workout at the New York Islanders’ week-long development camp. He was one of 20 players in Group 1, along with fellow 2009 draft picks Calvin de Haan, Casey Cizikas, Anders Lee and goaltender Mikko Koskinen.

“It was nice to get on the ice for the first time and get more comfortable, get the kinks out, feel more at home and get used to the systems and the practices we’re going to be having,” Tavares said. “This camp is part of the building blocks for a lot of the players and prospects that will be in the system and be with the club for a long time. So we form relationships and friendships and share stories and memories of playing when you were young ... these things are definitely important.”

Tavares’ skills were evident in several of the drills – he toasted a teammate in a 1-on-1 exercise and showed the quick release and nose for the net that made him the leading goal-scorer in the history of the Ontario Hockey League.

But after being off the ice for several weeks after he and the London Knights were eliminated from the OHL playoffs, Tavares was happy just to be skating again.

“Today was good on the ice to get my feet wet, and I want to get better each day,” he told the media scrum after his first workout as a pro. “It’s been a while since I’ve been at a high-tempo practice, since the end of my (junior) season. I think every day I’ll feel better and start to play better as well.

Tavares’ presence has brought far more fans and media attention to the rookie camp than ever before. But when informed by a television reporter that jerseys and merchandise bearing his No. 91 were outselling those of his veteran teammates, the 18-year-old looked a trifle embarrassed.

“It makes me feel a little more comfortable, a little more like home,” he said of the reaction to his arrival on Long Island.

www.nhl.com

Pronger Signs Multi-Year Extension



The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6’6”, 214-pound defenseman Chris Pronger to a multi-year contract extension, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to have one of the NHL’s premier defensemen in our organization and under contract long term,” said Holmgren in making the announcement. ”When we made the trade for Chris, it was our intention to get him signed to an extension and we are glad we could come to this agreement today.”

“I am very excited to be able to retire a Philadelphia Flyer and I am looking forward to many years with the Flyers logo on my chest,” said Pronger. “I think both parties wanted to get it handled in a timely fashion in order to move on and get things set up for future years down the line so that the Flyers could make moves either this year or next year, and know that they had me in place.”

Pronger, 34, was acquired on June 26 at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, along with forward Ryan Dingle, from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for right wing Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, the team’s first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the team’s first round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional third-round draft pick.

www.philadelphiaflyers.com

Rangers agree to terms with Kotalik



New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent forward Ales Kotalik.

"Ales is a strong, hardworking player with good skating ability and a heavy shot,” stated Sather. “We think he will fit well into our system and will provide additional offense and scoring from the wing position."

Kotalik has eclipsed the 20-goal mark four times in six seasons, including 21 goals in his first full season in 2002-03. He also holds the NHL record with 11 career game-deciding goals in the shootout (tied with Vyacheslav Kozlov), and has converted 20 of his 38 career shootout attempts (52.6%).

The 6-1, 225 pounder has skated in 445 regular season contests with the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers, recording 121 goals and 130 assists for 251 points, along with 273 penalty minutes. In 2005-06, he established career-highs in games played (82), goals (25), assists (37), points (62), penalty minutes (62), power play points (28), game-winning goals (five), and shots (261).

He led Buffalo in shots, tied for the team lead in game-winning goals, second in goals, and ranked third in points. He was also one of only two Sabres to skate in all 82 games during the season.

www.newyorkrangers.com

Lightning Sign Defenseman Victor Hedman



The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a standard three-year rookie contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Hedman was selected by the Lightning with the second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the first time in franchise history Tampa Bay has picked second overall.


"We are thrilled to be able to take this next step with Victor today,” said Lawton upon making the announcement. "He has a bright future and we intend on him being a member of the Lightning for a long time. We are excited to get his signing behind us so he can solely focus on hockey and the continued development of his game.”

Hedman, 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, was rated as the top European player and one of the top two players overall available in the draft according to NHL Central Scouting. He spent the 2008-09 season with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League where he earned Rookie of the Year honors as an 18-year-old. Hedman recorded seven goals and 21 points for MoDo in 43 games. He ranked second on the team, first among defensemen, in plus/minus rating with a plus-21 and was second among defensemen in points (only behind former NHL player Mattias Timander).


A native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Hedman represented his country in each of the previous two World Junior Championships, winning the Silver Medal twice. During the 2009 tournament he recorded two assists and had a plus-4 rating in six games as Sweden fell to Canada in the Gold Medal Game. In 2008, Hedman was named to the tournament all-star team after recording an assist and a plus-5 rating in six games. He also played for Sweden at the 2008 World Under-18 Championships, recording a goal and four points in four games.


Hedman has spent the majority of the previous two seasons with MoDo, playing in the Swedish Elite League. During his two-year professional career there he has amassed nine goals and 25 points with a plus-22 rating in 82 games. He also played in five post season games with MoDo in 2007-08, recording one goal.

www.tampabaylightning.com

Lemaire named Devils Head Coach



The Devils are hoping to recapture their Stanley Cup glory by bringing back the head coach that guided them to their first championship.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello finally ended the suspense this afternoon when he announced during a conference call that he has hired Jacques Lemaire to succeed Brent Sutter as the team's head coach.

This will be Lemaire's second stint as the Devils head coach. He coached them from 1993-94 to 1997-98 and guided them to their first Stanley Cup in 1995. Lemaire, who will turn 64 on Sept. 7, compiled a record of 199-122-57 in 378 regular season games with the Devils over five seasons. He won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year in 1994.

Lemaire coached the Wild for the last nine years before stepping down following the 2008-09 season.

Mario Tremblay will also be joining the Devils' staff as an assistant coach. Tremblay served in the same role under Lemaire in Minnesota. Tommy Albelin and Jacques Caron

John MacLean will take over as the head coach in Lowell and be assisted there by Chris Terreri and Kevin Dean. Scott Stevens will also be taking a more active role in assisting the coaches in Lowell.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog

ROENICK RETIRES AFTER 20 SEASONS IN THE NHL



Jeremy Roenick was playing golf when he received a call from San Jose general manager Doug Wilson asking about the possibility of playing for the Sharks.

"Sometimes friends come and save you," Roenick said of his former Chicago teammate. "Just when I thought that it was all over, Doug Wilson asked me to fly to San Jose and talk about playing for the Sharks. He asked me if I could still play the game and I told him I know I could still play."

Roenick recalled that story on Thursday, announcing his retirement after 20 years in the league.

"In Phoenix, I wasn't able to say goodbye to the game," Roenick said. "Doug Wilson and the San Jose Sharks gave me my life back. I can sit here and make my own decision to hang them up and move on."

Roenick, choking up throughout his farewell speech, leaves the game as one of four Americans who scored at least 500 goals. He finished with 513.

"This is a great day for me," Roenick said. "I had the greatest career I could possibly imagine. My body can't do it any more even though my head and my passion are still in the game. I know, truly in my heart, it's time to leave the game."

Roenick also had 703 assists in 1,363 regular-season games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Sharks.

Roenick added 53 goals and 69 assists in 154 playoff games, and his six goals in Game 7s is tied for second all time.

"I was a big fan of his a long time before I met him," Sharks forward Jody Shelley said. "You can't meet a better teammate."

www.tsn.ca

NUMMINEN RETIRES AFTER 20 NHL SEASONS



Teppo Numminen, who played 20 years in the National Hockey League with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres has announced his retirement from the game.

Numminen, 41, a three-time NHL All-Star (1999, 2000, 2001) appeared in a total of 1,372 NHL games and recorded 117 goals and 520 assists for 637 points in his career.

"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play with and against the best players in the world for so many years," said Numminen. "Playing hockey in the NHL and also for my country, Finland, was very enjoyable. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, fans, and the media for all the great years."

Drafted 29th overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft, Numminen made his debut in the 1988-89 season with the Jets. The Finnish blueliner helped lead the club to nine playoff berths in his 15 seasons with the franchise.

The native of Tampere, Finland enjoyed the best offensive output of his NHL career in the 1995-96 season with the Jets, scoring 11 goals and 43 assists for a personal best 54 points. From 2001-03, he served as the second captain in Coyotes history.

In 2003, Numminen was traded to the Stars where he spent the 2003-04 season and helped lead the Stars to the playoffs. Following his lone season in Dallas, Numminen signed with Buffalo. In each of his first two seasons with the Sabres, Numminen helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Final and was also a key contributing member of the 2006-07 Sabres team that won the Presidents Trophy.

Following open heart surgery in September of 2007, Numminen returned to the Sabres lineup for the final game of the 2007-08 season. In 2008-09, his last season in the NHL, Numminen scored 17 points in 57 games.

Numminen also represented Finland in four Olympics (1988, 1998, 2002, 2006), the World Junior Championship (1988), five World Championships (1987, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997) and two World Cups of Hockey (1996, 2004). Numminen accumulated six medals in total in his international hockey career with Finland, earning silver medals in the 2006 and 1988 Olympics, 2004 World Cup of Hockey and 1994 World Championship, to go along with bronze medals in the 1998 Olympics and 1988 World Junior Championship.

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BLACKHAWKS FORWARD PATRICK KANE ARRESTED IN BUFFALO



Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was charged with attacking a cab driver in his home town Sunday, a beating police said was triggered when the driver did not have 20 cents in change to give the player and his cousin.

Buffalo police said the 20-year-old Kane and his 21-year-old cousin, James Kane, had apparently caught a cab from the city's downtown nightclub district at about 4 a.m. ET. The cab driver suffered cuts to his face and his glasses were damaged, police spokesman Michael DeGeorge said.

Both men were charged with felony robbery and misdemeanour counts of theft of services and criminal mischief. Patrick Kane, who earned US$875,000 last season, pleaded not guilty in local court Sunday, WIVB-TV reported. It was not immediately clear when James Kane will appear in court.

The driver said he was punched and hit by both men because he did not have 20 cents in change to give them, according to the police report.

A message left at the home of Patrick Kane's parents was not immediately returned Sunday afternoon. Relatives who answered his grandfather's phone and his mother's cell phone declined to comment and could not say whether either Kane had a lawyer.

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THEO FLEURY ATTEMPTING NHL COMEBACK



Sources tell TSN Theoren Fleury is attempting a comeback and wants to play in the NHL again.

After playing senior hockey last season, Fleury decided in February he was fit enough to give the NHL another try, so he hired a personal trainer and has been working diligently since.

Those close to him say he didn't leave the National Hockey League the way he wanted, which is fueling his desire to return.

The 41-year-old has been sober for almost four years and has been skating daily in Calgary in the hope that an NHL team is willing to invite him to training camp.

Interest in the former Stanley Cup champion won't be enough to clear the way for Fleury's return. He remains under indefinite suspension and would first have to be approved by the NHL and the NHLPA's Substance Abuse program doctors before reinstatement would be considered.

Sources say Fleury recently sent NHL commissioner Gary Bettman a letter acknowledging his comeback bid and has also discussed the possibility with the league's doctors. The league has confirmed receiving the letter requesting reinstatement.

At 5' 6,'' Fleury was one of the smallest players in hockey. Intense and fearless, Fleury made a name for himself for more than his stature. He could score, play defensively and led teams to championships in junior hockey, in the NHL and on the international stage.

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Fleury

Das wär ja mal total geil, wenn der Junge nochmal ne Saison zocken würde.

Freu mich schon auf Wemmserei Avery gegen Fleury

HEATLEY SAYS THAT 'DIMINISHED ROLE' LED TO TRADE DEMAND



Dany Heatley says that he feels that his role with the Ottawa Senators has been diminished, and that's the biggest reason why he has asked for the team to trade him.

The veteran forward spoke in Kelowna, B.C. on Friday for the first time since he made the request in June. He stated that his wish to be traded has not changed over the summer.

"When I signed in Ottawa two years ago, I felt it was to be an integral part of the team," Heatley said. "Over the last two years and more recently over the past year, I feel my role was diminished. This past season, it diminished a lot more.

"This is a straight hockey decision. I have nothing against the fans of Ottawa, or the city of Ottawa. I would like the opportunity to go somewhere where I can play to the best of my capabilities and be the player that I can be."

Despite his demand to be moved, Heatley confirmed that he will still report to the Senators' training camp next month if he is not dealt.

"I have a contract, and if I'm still a Senator at training camp time, I'll be ready to go. But at the same time, I think we know that there are other teams out there that are interested, and hopefully something can get done," added Heatley.

For his part, Senators executive vice-president and general manager Bryan Murray said on Friday that finding trade partners for a high-priced player like Heatley has not been easy.

"I think (the Heatley camp) believed that I would present them with four teams who were willing to give Ottawa a package (for Heatley), and he could pick and choose from them," said Murray. "That has not been the case by any means.

"There are still a couple of teams that I'm talking to, but they are nowhere close to (offering) what I need to get back to protect this franchise."

Heatley also discussed the reason why he exercised his no-trade clause in early July to nix a deal that would have sent him to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, and Ladislav Smid.

"It has nothing to do with Edmonton," explained Heatley. "It has everything to do with the options. To this date there has only been one option, and I know that there are other teams out there. I don't feel I can make the right decision until there are a few options and I can make the right decision for my career."

Murray said that while he has spoken to a number of teams about Heatley, he expects that at best he may find one or possibly two more clubs with serious interest in the winger.

"It's been a frustrating time for us, trying to find a place for him. I heard him continue to say that he wants to be traded, and we will continue to work in that area," said Murray.

"I think if I can get one more deal that's realistic for our team, then I can propose it to their side, and that would probably be the limit."

Heatley said he made his trade request to the Senators privately, and is disappointed that the issue became public.

"I regret the way it has been this summer, and it hasn't been fair - especially to Edmonton and Ottawa. But that's the way it went," said Heatley.

Heatley also addressed the reason he declined to comment on his trade request until now.

"I love the fans in Ottawa. I think it's a great city, and that's why I signed long-term there," said Heatley. "I didn't speak until now because there's a process that has to take place, and in all fairness to Ottawa and the other teams involved, I didn't feel it was necessary or purposeful to come out publicly and create more of a circus than it already was.

"It's unfortunate that it became public, because that is not what I wanted."

Heatley decided to speak in advance of his appearance at the National Team Orientation Camp, which begins on Monday in Calgary. He didn't want his NHL saga to become a distraction to the other players who are under consideration for a spot on the team that will represent Canada at the Olympic Games in February.

"We're happy he did that so now when he comes to this camp, we'll be able to move on," Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson said Friday in Calgary. "I think it shows respect for Hockey Canada."

Heatley made his formal trade request to Senators management on June 10. The 28-year old signed a six-year, $45 million contract extension with the team in October, 2007 in a deal that includes a no-movement clause.

The veteran forward became unhappy with his role in Ottawa last season, especially after the Senators fired head coach Craig Hartsburg in February and replaced him with Cory Clouston. Heatley raised concerns with Clouston at the Senators end-of-season meetings about what he felt was the limiting of his ice time, and his shift from the first to the second power-play unit.

If Heatley does get moved, it will have to be to a team that can afford the remaining five years of his contract, with a salary cap hit of $7.5 million per season.

Heatley notched 39 goals and 33 assists in 82 games last season. The 72 points marked his lowest total in his four seasons with the Senators. He had back-to-back 50-goal campaigns in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

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CANUCKS SIGN SCHNEIDER; TRADE FOR EHRHOFF AND LUKOWICH



The Vancouver Canucks have added a lot of depth to their blueline in a short period of time. The team has acquired defencemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenceman Daniel Rahimi and forward Patrick White. Vancouver also announced on Friday that they have inked veteran defenceman Mathieu Schneider to a one-year, $1.55 million contract.

The moves will help backfill a Canuck blueline that lost veteran workhorse Mattias Ohlund to the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent on July 1.

In 77 games for the Sharks last season, Ehrhoff counted eight goals and 34 assists. He will be entering his sixth NHL season after playing his entire career in San Jose. The 27-year old was a fourth-round choice of the Sharks in the 2001 draft. He has two years remaining on a three-year deal that he signed as a restricted free agent with San Jose in the summer of 2008.

Lukowich, a 33-year old native of Cranbrook, B.C., recorded eight assists in 58 games for San Jose last year. He is an 11-year NHL veteran who was originally a fourth-round pick of the New York Islanders in 1994. He won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.

We are pleased to be adding Christian and Brad to our defensive group," said Mike Gillis in a press release. "Defence has been an area we wanted to add skill and depth to and this trade has strengthened our group considerably."

In exchange, the Canucks give up a pair of recent draft picks. Rahimi was selected in the third round in 2006, and played the last two seasons with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. White was Vancouver's first round pick (25th overall) in 2007, and played last season for the University of Minnesota.

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Hm damit haben die Sharks alle Deutschen Feld Spieler abgegeben.
Goc letzte Saison zwar nicht wirklich gut, aber Ehrhof ist nen guter. Mit Thomas Greiss hat man nun einen Deutschen Backup Goalie. Der sicherlich seine Einsätze bekommen wird.

Ich weis nicht... Die Sharks setzen auf ihre alten Hasen und einige neue und unerfahrene Spieler als Lückenfüller. Das könnte für die Sharks genauso weiter laufen wie Ende der letzten Saison. Man trifft das Tor nicht.

am 22.09 spielen Sharks gegen Canucks

Das Tor haben sie schon gut getroffen, nur powern sie sich immer die erste halbe Saison aus und in der 1. oder 2. Runde ist dann Schluss.

Ich glaub ja immernoch, dass sie mit diesen Moves nur Capspace für Heatley geschaffen haben.

BLUES CAPTAIN ERIC BREWER UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY



St. Louis Blues defenceman Eric Brewer has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in what the team termed a minor setback for a player rehabbing from two back operations.

Brewer, the team captain, played only 28 games last season before undergoing surgery in December to repair a herniated disc in his back. He had a second back operation in April.

The team said Thursday that Brewer was expected to be sidelined two to four weeks by the latest surgery, performed in Vancouver. It's unlikely Brewer will be ready in time for the regular season opener Oct. 2.

Brewer had a goal and five assists last season and has two seasons remaining on a US$17 million, four-year contract.

www.tsn.ca

LUONGO AGREES TO TERMS WITH CANUCKS ON 12-YEAR EXTENSION



Roberto Luongo will be between the pipes in Vancouver for the foreseeable future.

On Wednesday, the Canucks announced that they have agreed to terms with their star goalie on a 12-year contract extension. RDS is reporting that the deal is worth $64 million.

The deal will keep Luongo in Vancouver through the 2021-22 season.

"This is a great day for me and my family," said Luongo in a press release. "I love playing in a passionate hockey city like Vancouver and along with my teammates I am committed to doing everything I can to help make this a championship team."

Luongo had originally set a deadline of Sept. 13 to complete the deal, after which time he did not want the mid-season distraction of negotiating a new contract.

The 30-year old Canucks captain was entering the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract. He will make $7.5-million for the 2009-10 season.

"Today is a very exciting day for the Canucks organization," said Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis. "Roberto Luongo is the leader of our hockey team; he is in the prime of his playing career and has a tremendous desire to make the Canucks a championship team. His leadership, competitiveness and character are what this team will represent for many years to come."

Last season, the all-star goalie went 33-13-7 with nine shutouts and a GAA of 2.34 for the Canucks. He is one of the top candidates to be selected to play for Canada at the upcoming Olympics.

He was drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round (4th overall) of the 1997 draft. He will be entering his 10th NHL season.

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GRETZKY RESIGNS AS COACH OF COYOTES; TIPPETT NEXT IN LINE



The Phoenix Coyotes saga took another dramatic turn on Thursday, as Wayne Gretzky has stepped down from his post as the team's head coach.

"This was a difficult decision that I've thought long and hard about," Gretzky said in a statement. "We all hoped there would be a resolution earlier this month to the Coyotes ownership situation, but the decision is taking longer than expected. Since both remaining bidders have made it clear that I don't fit into their future plans, I approached General Manger Don Maloney and suggested he begin looking for someone to replace me as coach. Don has worked hard and explored many options. I think he has made an excellent choice, and so now it's time for me to step aside.

Sources tell TSN that Dave Tippett will be named head coach of the team at a local news conference at 3pm local time.

Gretzky, who joined the Coyotes as a managing partner in 2000, was named head coach of the club in August of 2005 and signed a five-year contract to continue to serve as part owner, managing partner, alternate governor and head coach the following year.

The Coyotes never made the playoffs during their four seasons with Gretzky behind the bench. From 2005-06 to 2008-09, he had a 143-161-24 record for a .473 winning percentage.

"The Coyotes scouting staff has put together a great group of young and talented players who are going to improve tremendously over the next few years," the statement read. "I'm proud of the team we've assembled, the organization with which I've been associated and the thousands of dedicated fans who have never wavered in their support of this young team. I'm confident that the best is yet to come for hockey in Phoenix."

This development comes as Judge Redfield T. Baum continues to mull over a decision on the fate of the NHL franchise. On Wednesday, lawyers representing Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie strengthened their case for the team, saying Balsillie has pledged to keep it in Glendale this season if he wins an auction for the financially troubled club.

Gretzky had been absent since the start of Coyotes training camp last week and a team spokesman said Gretzky wouldn''t participate until his contractual situation was resolved. Interim coach Ulf Samuelsson has taken over and the club has also hired veteran coach Dave King as an assistant.

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PANTHERS SIGN MOORE TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT



The Florida Panthers have added some offensive punch and have agreed to terms on one-year contract with free agent centre Dominic Moore.

Financial details were not released.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dominic to our organization," said general manager Randy Sexton. "He is a smart, talented, hard working player who adds further depth to our center position. In addition, he adds more speed, performs well on face-offs and will contribute on offense. This signing is further proof that our organization will be relentless in our drive to continue to improve our team."

The Sarnia native enjoyed a career season last year, splitting time between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres.

He had 13 goals and 32 assists in 81 games.

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HURRICANES LOSE COLE FOR 4-6 WEEKS WITH FRACTURED LEG



The Carolina Hurricanes will be without forward Erik Cole for four-to-six weeks after an MRI revealed a fracture in his lower left leg.

Cole suffered the injury in the third period of Saturday's loss to the Bruins when he collided with Bruins' defenceman Dennis Wideman.

The loss will be an additional blow to the ‘Canes who have lost their first two games of the season.

At practice Sunday, Tuomo Ruutu skated in Cole's spot on Eric Staal's wing and it appears as though Tim Conboy will take his spot on the roster.

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CANADIENS' MARKOV TO MISS 3-4 MONTHS WITH TORN TENDON



Montreal Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov will be out four months with a torn tendon that he suffered on opening night. He isn't expected to return until after the Vancouver Olympics in February.

The veteran defenceman suffered the injury during a collision with goalie Carey Price in the third period of Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Markov had surgery on Thursday night following the game in Toronto to repair the laceration to his ankle.

"It's not a very nice feeling knowing that it was your skate that did it," Price said. "But then again, you know there's nothing you can really do about it."

Canadiens head coach Jacques Martin acknowledged the loss of Markov but said the team is moving forward with an optimistic outlook.

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HABS ADD BERGERON TO FILL HOLE ON DEFENCE



Looking to fill a need at defence caused by the injuries to Andrei Markov and Ryan O'Byrne, the Montreal Canadiens have found some help in the free agent market.

On Tuesday, the club signed Marc-Andre Bergeron to a one-year, $750,000 contract.

Bergeron will report to the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs to get into playing shape, before he's called up.

Bergeron spent last season with the Minnesota Wild. He recorded 14 goals and 18 assists in 72 games in 2008-09.

Prior to his time with the Wild, The 28-year old played parts of his six-year career with the Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers.

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BRUINS SIGN FORWARD LUCIC TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION



The Boston Bruins have announced the signing of forward Milan Lucic to a three-year contract extension through the 2012-13 NHL season worth $12.25 million.

The 21-year-old Lucic recorded 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points, while tallying 136 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating. During the postseason, the 6'3'' 228-pound winger had three goals and six assists and a plus-12 plus/minus rating in 10 games.

Originally drafted by the Bruins in the second round (50th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Lucic helped the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League capture the 2007 Memorial Cup Championship.

In 151 career regular games, Lucic has 25 goals and 45 assists for 70 points, in addiition to 230 penalty minutes.

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