Month: June 2008

TORONTO – The Detroit Red Wings were one of the best defensive teams in the NHL this season and Pavel Datsyuk was a big reason why.The 29-year-old Russian led the entire league with a plus-41 rating and was recognized Thursday with the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward.

TORONTO – Jason Blake was diagnosed with leukemia just before the start of the regular season and quickly lost 10 pounds after starting to receive treatment.

Mid-June is not the best time to be looking for a coaching job in the NHL.And that’s the part that really stings for Marc Crawford, who was fired by the Los Angeles Kings this week, two months after the team ended its season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The FBI wants to study documents California businessman William “Boots” Del Biaggio III gave to sports and government officials guaranteeing his share of the NHL’s Nashville Predators and a new arena lease for the team.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – At 6 a.m. on the day after the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson was awakened by an assistant coach with an agenda.

TORONTO – The NHL announces its award winners Thursday night at its annual gala. The Canadian Press gives hockey fans a sneak peak by trying to predict the winners:Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player to his team) – Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames was dynamite and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins saved his team’s season when Sidney Crosby was out.

Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Signed G Jonas Hiller and C Andrew Ebbett to two-year contract extensions.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks hired former Detroit Red Wings assistant Todd McLellan as their head coach on Wednesday, bringing in a leader with Stanley Cup winning credentials to replace the fired Ron Wilson.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks have hired former Detroit Red Wings assistant Todd McLellan as their new head coach.A person familiar with the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity because an announcement has not been made, says that McLellan will be introduced as Ron Wilson’s successor at a news conference Thursday.

DALLAS – Dallas Stars defenceman Mattias Norstrom retired Wednesday, ending a 14-year career that included stops with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings.

The Edmonton Oilers may not have won a Stanley Cup in almost 20 years, but on the auction block, the love lives on.The five Stanley cup rings held by former team owner Peter Pocklington fetched US$272,829 after bidding closed late Tuesday on the auction website www.

TORONTO – Ted Leonsis has high hopes for the NHL awards on Thursday night.”I’m hoping to make history,” the Washington Capitals majority owner said Wednesday.

VANCOUVER – He never won a Stanley Cup but Trevor Linden will retire from the Vancouver Canucks as a player viewed as a winner not only for what he did on the ice, but for his contribution to the community.

VANCOUVER – Trevor Linden, who led the Vancouver Canucks to Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup final and helped guide the NHL Players’ Association through a one-year lockout, has decided to retire after 19 seasons.

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs want to hire the right person to fill their vacant general manager’s position and they’re willing to wait to get him.

TORONTO – Turns out Cliff Fletcher is here for a good time and a long time.Unable to lure away the top candidates on their short list for their vacant GM job, the Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to keep Fletcher in the interim GM role likely through next season.

TORONTO – It appears that Cliff Fletcher will remain general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs until next summer.Team president Richard Peddie tells The Canadian Press that Fletcher will likely call the shots until 2009.

According to the Globe and Mail’s David Shoalts, lawyer Gord Kirke, one half of the search committee, has said Cliff Fletcher will stay on as the team’s GM until the summer of 2009.

According to Globe and Mail columnist David Shoalts, lawyer Gord Kirke, one half of the search committee, has said Cliff Fletcher will stay on as the team’s GM until the summer of 2009.

NEW YORK – Rangers defenceman Michal Rozsival, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, was scheduled to have hip surgery Wednesday.