News

The Chicago Wolves open the American Hockey League’s 73rd season as the defending Calder Cup champions, and holding on to the title will be no simple task.

WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin left practice early Tuesday, but the reigning NHL MVP is expected to play in the Washington Capitals’ season opener Friday at Atlanta.

EDMONTON – Given the Edmonton Oilers’ performance in the pre-season, it might be fair to suggest the next five days would be better spent preparing for their season opener against the Colorado Avalanche instead of getting away from it all in Jasper, Alta.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Injured New York Islanders defenceman Chris Lee flew back to New York on Tuesday morning after being hospitalized overnight in Florida following a hard hit in a pre-season game against the Panthers.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks put defenceman Kyle McLaren on waivers Tuesday, possibly ending the oft-injured veteran’s 4 1/2-year tenure with the club.

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman Luke Schenn to a three-year entry-level contract Tuesday.”Luke’s got a bright future in the NHL and we are very excited to have him signed to a contract,” Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher said in a release.

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:National Hockey LeagueNHL-Suspended Toronto LW Ryan Hollweg two games as a result of being assessed his third game misconduct within 41 games in the boarding/checking from behind category.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Tomas Vokoun made 29 saves, and Jay Bouwmeester had a goal and two assists in the Panthers’ 6-0 win over the New York Islanders on Monday night, the pre-season finale for both teams.

VANCOUVER – There’s a big smile on Steve Bernier’s face these days.After being traded twice in one year, the big forward looks to have found a home with the Vancouver Canucks and will start the season playing on a line with Swedish twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

VANCOUVER – It was a hectic day for Shane O’Brien but the big defenceman liked the way it ended with him being traded to the Vancouver Canucks from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

TORONTO – Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Hollweg received an automatic two-game suspension Monday after collecting his third boarding or checking from behind major in a 41-game span.

WASHINGTON – The Washington Capitals sent 2007 first-round draft pick Karl Alzner and Chris Bourque to Hershey of the American Hockey League on Monday.

The bar is set high for Steven Stamkos.The last three forwards chosen first overall in the NHL entry draft – Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin – were impact players immediately in the NHLKane and Ovechkin won the league’s rookie award – the Calder Trophy – in their freshman years.

TORONTO – Highly touted defenceman Luke Schenn will start the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.General manager Cliff Fletcher confirmed the decision Monday, adding that the NHL team has also put forward Mark Bell on waivers.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker is expected to be sidelined for six weeks after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand.

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Shane O’Brien and forward Michel Ouellet from Tampa Bay in exchange for defenseman Lukas Krajicek and forward Juraj Simek.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Mark Bell on waivers.

The 28-year-old was acquired by the Leafs two summers ago in a deal that brought goaltender Vesa Toskala to town.

Movements in the world of hockey Sunday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Claimed D Nathan McIver off waivers from Vancouver. Assigned D Brett Festerling to Iowa (AHL).

VANCOUVER – Defenceman Nathan McIver’s breakaway goal 22 seconds into overtime gave the Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in NHL pre-season action Sunday night.

VANCOUVER – Defenceman Nathan McIver’s breakaway goal 22 seconds into overtime gave the Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in NHL pre-season action Sunday night.