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...
First Call: T.J. Watt slips on list of top NFL edge rushers; NHL’s top pick to start career vs. Pens; Carey Price’s live draft gaffe
Steelers star T.J. Watt loses ground in one offseason ranking. Connor Bedard will make his debut in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby. The Pirates will square off against an old friend Wednesday afternoon. We know Duquesne’s Atlantic 10 opponents. And an all-time goaltending great has an all-time televised mishap. All that...
Generational talent Connor Bedard taken 1st in NHL Draft by Blackhawks
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard with the first pick in the NHL Draft on Wednesday night, kick-starting a hopeful new era with a highly skilled offensive forward who’s drawn comparisons to Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Bedard became the second No. 1 pick in Blackhawks history,...
Avalanche trade for Ross Colton from the Lightning. They’re expected to lose J.T. Compher
The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Ross Colton in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, hours before the start of the NHL draft. Colorado sent the 37th pick in the draft to Tampa Bay for the player who scored the Lightning’s Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 2021. The move...
Fresh off playoff appearance, New Jersey Devils re-sign forward Timo Meier to 8-year, $70M contract
NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils secured another piece from last year’s team, re-signing forward Timo Meier to an eight-year, $70.4 million contract through the 2030-31 NHL season. General manager Tom Fitzgerald announced the signing of the restricted free agent Wednesday, hours before the start of the league’s draft...
Tennessee State will become the first HBCU to add ice hockey
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State University announced Wednesday it will become the first historically Black college and university to introduce ice hockey. The school plans to have a men’s team playing at the club level in 2024, with a goal of fielding Division I men’s and women’s teams “in the...
Alex Killorn, J.T. Compher and Ivan Barbashev are among the NHL free agents to watch
Stanley Cup rings have a handful of players set up for big paydays when NHL free agency opens Saturday. Recent champions Alex Killorn, J.T. Compher and Ivan Barbashev, as well as three-time winner Patrick Kane, are among the players available in the free agent market. It includes a handful of...
Adam Fantilli not worried about being overshadowed at NHL DraftVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a different year, this NHL Draft might have been considered the chase for Adam Fantilli as the top pick rather than the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. Fantilli’s got the size at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds as well as a proven ability to put the puck in the...
Sharks acquire goalie Mackenzie Blackwood from Devils, working to trade Erik KarlssonVideo
While the San Jose Sharks have acquired a goaltender, they’re still looking to trade their best player. The Sharks acquired goalie Mackenzie Blackwood from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. They’re still looking to deal Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson to a contender. “He would like the chance to have...
Blackhawks set to begin rebuild with anticipated selection of Connor Bedard in NHL DraftVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson arrived for the NHL Draft in Music City this week reflecting on the teardown job he began conducting a summer ago by trading away Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach. And that was before Davidson essentially completed the process by dealing away...
