New Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock blasts report suggesting he was invading his players’ privacy
New Columbus Blue Jackets coach Mike Babcock said Tuesday he had done nothing wrong in asking players to show him photos off their phones, clarifying he was trying to get to know them after a report emerged criticizing him for invasion of privacy. Paul Bissonnette said on the ‘Spittin’ Chiclets’...
Former Penguins winger Carl Hagelin retires because of eye injury
Carl Hagelin, a speedy winger who was one-third of the fabled HBK Line during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup runs of 2016-17, announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday due to an eye injury. Hagelin, 35, has not played since taking an errant stick to his left eye during...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey coaches happy to have the coaching ‘stomach acid’ back
Starting this week, Robert Morris hockey coaches Derek Schooley and Logan Bittle are taking on a significant job change. They are actually coaching again. Instructing players. A full team. On the ice. Getting ready for a real season. For the first time in two years. “It’s just a super exciting...
Maple Leafs sign star center Auston Matthews to 4-year, $53 million extensionVideo
TORONTO — Auston Matthews has put pen to paper on a deal that is set to make him the NHL’s highest-paid player. And the Toronto Maple Leafs — and their fans — can finally exhale. The star center signed a four-year, $53 million extension on Wednesday that ties him to...
Legendary voice of Buffalo Sabres Rick Jeanneret dies at age 81
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rick Jeanneret, who will always be regarded as the voice of the Buffalo Sabres after a 51-year broadcasting career and the Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2012 Foster Hewitt Award recipient, died Thursday. He was 81. The Sabres released a statement from Jeanneret’s family saying he died with...
Canadiens trade Jeff Petry to Red Wings 10 days after acquiring him from Penguins
The Detroit Red Wings acquired defenseman Jeff Petry from the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, a trade that gives them another veteran player late in a busy offseason of additions. Detroit got Petry at less than half his salary, just over $2.3 million for each of the next two seasons, in...
Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, has died at age 21
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov has died less than 2 years since being diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was 21. Agent Dan Milstein confirmed to The Associated Press that Amirov died Monday in Munich, Germany. The team said in February 2022 that Amirov had a brain tumor and...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. quote angers Vontaze Burfict; ex-Steeler signs in Philly; San Jose reaction to Erik Karlsson trade
In Monday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers rival Vontaze Burfict fires back at Joey Porter Sr. and Jr. Another ex-Steeler signs in Philadelphia. The Pirates are about to take on Major League Baseball’s best team. And we have some reaction to the Erik Karlsson trade from San Jose’s point of...
Coyotes agree to 1-year, $3.9 million deal with Matt Dumba
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Defenseman Matt Dumba agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Arizona Coyotes, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the contract has not been signed yet. Dumba played 10 seasons with Minnesota after...
Washington Capitals sign power forward Tom Wilson to a 7-year extension worth $45.5 million
Tom Wilson is staying with the Washington Capitals for the long term after getting a new contract that could keep the homegrown power forward with the team for his entire NHL career. Wilson signed a seven-year extension worth $45.5 million on Friday, a deal that keeps him from hitting free...
West Mifflin’s Logan Cooley signs with Arizona Coyotes
For the past few weeks, Logan Cooley has taken on something of an apprenticeship in the North Hills. On a daily basis, the West Mifflin native has hit the ice with veteran NHL forwards Vince Trocheck and J.T. Miller, trying to pick their brains for details on what it takes...
First Call: Mike Tomlin on his left tackle battle; Bears’ tight end contract could influence Steelers
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle position, even though head coach Mike Tomlin is trying to make it a non-story. An NFL signing of note may have some ramifications for a Steelers player next year. A former Steeler is getting a boost for his Hall of...
Hurricanes sign Sebastian Aho to an 8-year contract extension worth $78 million
Sebastian Aho signed an eight-year contract extension worth $78 million with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team announced Wednesday. The deal will go into effect for the 2024-25 NHL season. Aho will count $9.75 million against the salary cap from that point through 2032. Aho gets a raise from the nearly...
Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz dies at age 70Video
CHICAGO — Rocky Wirtz, who won three Stanley Cup titles as owner of the Chicago Blackhawks and presided over the team during one of the NHL’s biggest scandals, has died. He was 70. The Blackhawks said in a release that Wirtz died Tuesday, calling it a “sudden passing.” No further...
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins forward and captain, announces retirement after 19 seasons
BOSTON — Patrice Bergeron, who in two decades with the Boston Bruins established himself as the NHL’s dominant two-way forward and one of the most respected players in the game, announced Tuesday “with a full heart and a lot of gratitude” that he will retire. “I have given the game...
First Call: Ex-Steeler may join Ravens; trade interest in David Bednar; potential domino falls on Erik Karlsson watch
A domino may have fallen in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ pursuit of Erik Karlsson. A former Steelers draft choice has a new home, while another may be closing on a deal with Baltimore. Plus there is trade interest in Pirates closer David Bednar. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” What does...
What to know about a new women’s hockey league launching in January
Jayna Hefford gets goosebumps thinking about what it will be like when the puck drops in January on a new women’s hockey league featuring the world’s best players. The stage is set for that after a new ownership group bought out the Professional Hockey Federation and members of the Professional...
First Call: Ex-Steelers ILB offers idea for team at that position; Jaromir Jagr pulled into Vegas street showVideo
A former Pittsburgh Steelers player thinks he has the answer to the franchise’s concerns at inside linebacker. Chase Claypool is expecting bigger and better things in Chicago this year. A pair of former Pirates had a rough day on the mound. And we have a very unique “Jagr Watch” for...
Short contracts, bonus money prove to be popular in NHL free agency this yearVideo
Max Pacioretty was in a unique, if not uncomfortable spot going into NHL free agency coming off tearing his right Achilles tendon twice in the past year. Turns out it was just the right time to hit the market. The post-pandemic hockey landscape meant another year with just a $1...
NHL free agency roundup: Hurricanes, Rangers turn rivalry into signing frenzyVideo
Don Waddell’s expectations were so low on the chances of improving the Carolina Hurricanes roster to open NHL free agency Saturday, the general manager told his staff they might not even have to come into the office. Some four hours into the signing period, Waddell came away with a big...
Mike Babcock back in NHL as coach of Blue Jackets
Mike Babcock is back in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets, confident he has evolved as a coach in his nearly four years out of a pro job. The 2008 Stanley Cup-winning coach with Detroit finally took over Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, introduced as the person the organization’s brass...
Golden Knights re-sign goalie Adin Hill on eve of free agency
Adin Hill is returning to the Vegas Golden Knights after backstopping them to their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. The Golden Knights re-signed their playoff hero goaltender Friday to a $9.8 million, two-year deal that carries an annual salary cap hit of $4.9 million through 2025. Hill is...
First Call: Steelers still linked to ILB; ex-Steelers CB has a new team; outlet unimpressed by Penguins’ draft
Friday’s “First Call” takes yet another look at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ inside linebacker position. One blossoming Steeler makes a list of young NFL superstars. And an ex-Steelers defensive back has a new team. Plus the Penguins draft got at least one mediocre review, and we check in on the next...
Flat salary cap, lack of high-profile stars dull start of NHL free agency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bill Guerin didn’t need to be reminded of how thin the upcoming crop of NHL free agents is regarded, or how numerous teams already have maxed out their payroll because of a salary cap that’s remained relatively flat since the covid-19 pandemic hit. What the Minnesota Wild...
NHL draft wraps up with 11 picks for Chicago, dearth of trades ahead of free agency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chicago Blackhawks acquired their latest generational talent along with a big dose of speed in one of the NHL’s largest draft hauls. They also made another big move for their future Thursday by adding veteran Corey Perry to help teach No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard...