Messier, Kurri Added As All-Stars

Centers Mark Messier and Jari Kurri, once teammates on Edmonton Oilers team that won five Stanley Cups, were added Thursday to the rosters for the first NHL All-Star International Showdown.

Kurri, now with the Colorado Avalanche, will play for the World All-Star team, and Messier, now with the Vancouver Canucks, will play for the North American All-Star team.

Also added to the World team was center Igor Larionov of the Detroit Red Wings.

Predators’ ticket sales lag

The Nashville Predators must sell nearly 6,000 tickets in the next 82 days to fulfill the biggest requirement of becoming the NHL’s next franchise, the team’s owner said.

To become the first of four NHL expansion franchises to hit the ice, the Predators must sell 12,000 season tickets, at least 75 percent of their luxury suites and 75 percent of the Nashville Arena’s club seats by March 31.

If not, then Leipold and his partner, Gaylord Entertainment Co., will forfeit their deposit and their franchise.

On the ice

Brian Savage scored four goals and added two assists as the Montreal Canadiens sent the New York Islanders to their ninth straight loss with an 8-2 romp Thursday night at Uniondale, N.Y.