Former NHL star Jaromir Jagr scores in his first game since turning 52Video
KLADNO, Czech Republic — Jaromir Jagr returned to action Thursday for the first time since turning 52 and immediately scored as he surpassed legend Gordie Howe to become the oldest player taking regular shifts in professional ice hockey. Howe, known as “Mr. Hockey,” was 52 years, 11 days old when...
Coyotes officially leaving Arizona for Salt Lake City after vote
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes officially are headed to Salt Lake City. The NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $1.2 billion sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, clearing the way for the franchise’s move to Utah next season. The...
First Call: 49ers reportedly dismiss Steelers’ Brandon Aiyuk trade call; Marc-Andre Fleury discusses plan to play next yearVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us San Francisco’s reaction to a Steelers trade inquiry for Brandon Aiyuk. We also have an interesting note about a Steelers draft option. Pirates prospect Paul Skenes gets ready to pitch again in Indianapolis. And Marc-Andre Fleury explains his decision to come back for one more...
Coyotes end tenure in desert with raucous atmosphere before move
TEMPE, Ariz. — Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the three years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah. For 60 minutes, they got one last chance to watch the team they came to love before the franchise as they know it...
Rangers’ Artemi Panarin has career year with MVP-caliber numbers
Artemi Panarin was an established offensive player before he signed with the New York Rangers in 2019. He has only boosted his numbers since then and is coming off a career year going into the playoffs. The Russian forward averaged 29 goals and 51 assists in his first four seasons...
Montreal Canadiens exercise option on Martin St. Louis’ contract
BROSSARD, Quebec — The Montreal Canadiens exercised the two-year option of the contract of coach Martin St. Louis, committing him to the team for the next three seasons. Montreal hired St. Louis on an interim basis following Dominique Ducharme’s dismissal in February 2022. The 48-year-old Canadian was named coach at...
NHL has no appetite to expand playoffs beyond its 16-team tournament for the Stanley Cup
Sixteen teams, each one needing to win 16 games over four rounds of best-of-seven series to lift the Stanley Cup, has been the way the NHL decides its champion for nearly four decades. That isn’t changing any time soon. The NHL is the only one of the major four North...
Marc-Andre Fleury signs a $2.5M extension with the Wild to return for next season at age 40
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild signed goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension on Wednesday, bringing back the veteran for his age-40 season. Fleury, who turns 40 on Nov. 28, has had a prolific season in which he passed Patrick Roy for second place behind...
Hockey business booming as NHL bounces back from pandemic in big way
NEW YORK — Arenas are full, the NHL is a fixture on TV screens across North America, highlight-reel goals are talking points on a near-daily basis and “The Pat McAfee Show” even has a segment called “Hockey is Awesome.” Piece it all together, and more eyes are on the puck...
Buffalo Sabres fire head coach Don Granato after extending playoff drought to 13th season
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres fired head coach Don Granato on Tuesday, making him the seventh coach to be ousted during what’s grown into an NHL-record 13-season playoff drought. The move was announced by the team a day after the Sabres closed their season with a 4-2 win at...
Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Mark Giordano among veterans going for 1st Stanley Cup
Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns made the playoffs seven times together as teammates in San Jose, reaching the conference finals and getting all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 under Peter DeBoer. Zach Parise captained New Jersey to the final in 2012. All those runs ended in...
First Call: As Steelers talk swirls, Brandon Aiyuk’s agent denies trade request story; Tee Higgins’ future in Cincy
Pittsburgh Steelers fans interested in their team acquiring Brandon Aiyuk or Tee Higgins at wide receiver won’t be thrilled at news coming out of San Francisco and Cincinnati. We also preview the Penguins’ game against Nashville and the Pirates’ trip to New York. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” San...
Coyotes sale to Utah Jazz owner expected next week, Arizona to get expansion team, AP source saysVideo
TEMPE. Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes likely will be sold to Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith shortly after the team’s final game and will include a provision guaranteeing current owner Alex Meruelo an expansion team if a new arena is built within five years, a person with knowledge of the...
First Call: Potential AFC destination for Levi Wallace; Steelers’ draft preference reported; Penguins’ playoff pictureVideo
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at a Steelers defensive back who could be heading to Denver. We have an interesting report about the Steelers’ draft strategy. It was an impactful night for the Penguins playoff chances. And a Pens prospect had another huge moment at the Frozen Four. Losing...
Preparations are being made for a potential NHL team in Salt Lake City
Preparations are being made behind the scenes and in the public eye in case an NHL team is in Salt Lake City sooner than later. Prospective owner Ryan Smith on social media earlier this week solicited suggestions for a team name. Smith, who owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz, in January...
Devils All-Star Jack Hughes needs shoulder surgery, will miss rest of season
NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils All-Star forward Jack Hughes is going to miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury that will require surgery this week. The Devils announced the decision Tuesday, less than two hours before they were to face the Toronto Maple Leafs in...
First Call: Doubts about Justin Fields from Chicago; Tyler Huntley could’ve been a Steeler? Penguins’ playoff outlookVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has a rough review of new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. We learn who the Steelers may have tried to acquire on the quarterback market if not for the Fields trade. The Penguins’ playoff picture is coming into focus. And we look at the next opponent for...
All 10 skaters brawl off opening faceoff at start of Devils-Rangers gameVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils started Wednesday night’s game with a brawl involving all 10 players on the ice off the opening faceoff. The main event was Rangers forward Matt Rempe taking on New Jersey’s Kurtis MacDermid, with the two having history from the...
First Call: Mike Tomlin meets with 3 Alabama draft prospects; ex-Penguin keeps scoring in ColumbusVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an interesting list of names that the Pittsburgh Steelers are speaking with in advance of the NFL Draft. We have an update on the Cameron Sutton situation, and a former Penguin continues to light the lamp in Columbus. ‘Welcome to tahn’ It looks like Malachi Corley...
Alex Ovechkin scores twice as the Capitals beat the Jets 3-0 to move back into playoff position
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored twice to reach 26 goals this season, Charlie Lindgren stopped all 27 shots he faced and the Washington Capitals beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 on Sunday to move back into a playoff position. The Capitals have won four of their past five games, a stretch...
T.J. Oshie returns to the Capitals’ lineup and is honored for playing in 1,000 NHL games
WASHINGTON — T.J. Oshie returned to the Washington Capitals’ lineup Sunday, getting back just in time for the ceremony honoring his milestone of playing in 1,000 NHL games. And, more importantly, at a crucial juncture of the season, with his team trying desperately to make the playoffs. Oshie was back...
Rangers’ Matt Rempe suspended 4 games for elbowing Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler in the headVideo
NEW YORK — New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe was suspended four games for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in the head. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the ban after a disciplinary hearing Tuesday, handing the well-known rookie his first suspension 10 games into his career....
First Call: Former Bronco rips Russell Wilson, praises his fit in Pittsburgh; rumored Steelers’ DL free agent target retires
Monday’s “First Call” has a scathing review of quarterback Russell Wilson. He reportedly agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night. The trade market is soft for Bears quarterback Justin Fields. A potential veteran addition along the Steelers defensive line is off the table. And we look at the...
Flyers coach Tortorella suspended 2 games for refusing to leave bench after game misconductVideo
NEW YORK — Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella was suspended for two games and fined $50,000 by the NHL on Sunday for unprofessional conduct directed at the officials by refusing to leave the bench area after a game misconduct. Tortorella reluctantly left the bench Saturday night after receiving the game...
Defending Cup champs Golden Knights acquire Hertl; Hurricanes, Panthers dominate deals in the EastVideo
Leave it to the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights to pull off what could be the biggest deal at the NHL’s trade deadline Friday. After the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers slugged it out in adding talent to shore up their respective rosters with offense and experience, the...
