Puck Podcast

MONTREAL – They haven’t skated a single NHL shift yet, but John Tavares and Victor Hedman are already household hockey names.Tavares and Hedman, both 18, are widely considered to be the top picks in the 2009 NHL entry draft on Friday and stand to rake in millions in salary and endorsements during their careers

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Darcy Regier has spent the past two months assessing how to make the Buffalo Sabres competitive again, and concluded that many of the answers are already on the team

MONTREAL – Mike Babcock figures he’s in for the experience of a lifetime.After officially getting handed the reins to Team Canada, the new Olympic men’s coach indicated that it was a task unlike any other he’s faced

Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:American Hockey LeagueLAKE ERIE MONSTERS-Named Dan Laperriere assistant coach.ECHLREADING ROYALS-Signed F Ben McLeod

MONTREAL – Mike Babcock will have an all-star cast to work with at the 2010 Winter Olympics.A source told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that Ken Hitchcock, Lindy Ruff and Jacques Lemaire will serve as assistant coaches under Babcock for the Canadian men’s hockey team

MONTREAL – The feuding co-owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning have resolved their differences – at least for now, said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman

A look at the junior hockey career of John Tavares:2005May 4 – The Ontario Hockey League bestows “exceptional player status” on 14-year-old John Tavares, which allows the Oakville, Ont

John Tavares or Victor Hedman?The New York Islanders have the No. 1 pick in the NHL entry draft Friday in Montreal. Tavares, a crafty centre from Oakville, Ont

DETROIT – He won’t be a Detroit Red Wing, but Chris Chelios still wants to play.The 47-year-old defenceman said Wednesday he has no hard feelings about Detroit’s decision not to sign him for next season

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueCALGARY FLAMES-Named Brent Sutter coach.EDMONTON OILERS-Named interim coach Rob Daum coach of Springfield (AHL)

CAMPBELLVILLE, Ont. – Brian Burke is heading to the NHL draft open to just about anything.The Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager still wants to move up from No

DETROIT – Chris Chelios has a plan to talk about his future.The 47-year-old defenceman says he’ll host a news conference Wednesday morning at Cheli’s Chili Bar and Restaurant in Detroit to answer questions just days after the Red Wings confirmed he won’t be offered a contract to stay

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Wayne Gretzky is hoping for NHL hockey in both Phoenix and Hamilton.The Coyotes coach is on the sidelines watching Jim Balsillie and the NHL spar over the future of the Arizona franchise and hockey in Southern Ontario

TORONTO – The Hockey Hall of Fame will welcome an all-star lineup this year.Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille and Brian Leetch comprise a stellar class of 2009 that also includes longtime New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello in the builder category

TORONTO – Mike Babcock will coach the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.A source tells The Canadian Press that the Detroit Red Wings coach will be introduced by Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman on Thursday in Montreal

MONTREAL – Assistant coach Doug Jarvis has been let go by the Montreal Canadiens.A team spokesman said Jarvis, 54, who has been in the job since the start of the 2005-06 season, will not return next season but Kirk Muller will stay on as an assistant coach

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – World sport’s highest tribunal has banned a German hockey player for two years after he refused to take a doping test for several hours because he was relaxing at home with his girlfriend

CALGARY – Another Sutter is joining the Calgary Flames.General manger Darryl Sutter named his brother Brent the new head coach of the NHL club Tuesday

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:National Hockey LeagueATLANTA THRASHERS-Named Rick Dudley associate general manager.COLORADO AVALANCHE-Named David Quinn coach of Lake Erie (AHL)

PHOENIX – Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has promised to make an offer by Friday to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes and keep the NHL team in Arizona