Dallas Stars center Stu Barnes is retiring after 16 years in the NHL. The Stars said Thursday that the 37-year-old Barnes has agreed to a two-year contract to join Dave Tippett’s coaching staff as an assistant. The Stars also announced two-year contract extensions for associate coach Rick Wilson and assistant coach Mark Lamb to take them through the 2010-11 season.
Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club’s best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season. Vlasic had two goals and 12 assists while playing in all 82 regular-season games for the Sharks last season, just his second full NHL campaign.
The Chicago Blackhawks signed 19-year-old right wing Akim Aliu, the 56th overall pick in the 2007 draft, to a three-year contract on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed. The native of Nigeria played for the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights last year, scoring 28 goals with 33 assists and 133 penalty minutes in 60 games.
Veteran NHL defenseman Bryan Berard will attempt to make an NHL club on a tryout contract, after being invited to training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. “Bryan has been around a number of years now (and) he has been a good defenseman for quite some time,” said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.
The New York Islanders promoted Chris Dey to team president on Wednesday. Dey, who had been the Islanders’ vice president of sales, marketing and event operations, will also oversee all business operations for the team as well as the Islanders Children’s Foundation, the club’s office in China, and the Charles B.
The Detroit Red Wings signed tough-guy right wing Aaron Downey to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Downey signed with Detroit last season and played in 56 games. He has spent parts of eight seasons with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens. In his career, Downey has collected seven goals, nine assists and 487 penalty minutes.
The Minnesota Wild hope to make Marian Gaborik an offer he won’t refuse. Their first step was a visit to Slovakia for a face-to-face meeting with their franchise player. President and general manager Doug Risebrough and assistant GM for hockey operations Tom Lynn traveled to Gaborik’s home in Trencin last week, armed with data and ready to listen.
The Philadelphia Flyers signed coach John Stevens to a two-year contract extension on Thursday that will keep him with the team through the 2010-11 season. The 42-year-old Stevens led the Flyers to a remarkable turnaround that included an appearance in the Eastern Conference finals in his first full season as coach.
Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference. It didn’t come from a reporter and it wasn’t posed by general manager Garth Snow. No, the insightful inquiry was made by wife Jennifer — a ballet instructor.
The Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with defenseman Drew Doughty, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft. The 18-year-old Doughty had 13 goals and 37 assists in 58 regular-season games for Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League last season. The 6-foot, 219-pounder had three goals and six assists in 10 playoff games.
Rich Naran owner operator of The Rich Naran Company Creating the Magic with you. Now in the lastest of the Rich Naran Internet Network sharing his love of Sports with his readers, clients and friends.