Blue Jackets trade Nash to Rangers
NHL: Months after asking the Columbus Blue Jackets to trade him, star forward Rick Nash had his wish granted and is headed to the New York Rangers.
Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson announced Monday the club had dealt the big right wing, the team’s captain and career leader in most offensive categories, along with a 2013 third-round draft pick and a minor league defenseman. In return, the Rangers sent centers Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, defenseman Tim Erixon and a first-round pick next year.
It shocked many when Nash, who shared the NHL lead in goals with 41 in 2003-04, revealed in February that he asked management a month earlier for a trade. When a deal wasn’t worked out, he finished the year in Columbus, and immediately became the hottest name on the offseason trade market.
• Oilers ink deal with top pick Yakupov: The Edmonton Oilers have signed the top pick in this year’s draft, right winger Nail Yakupov, to a three-year, entry-level deal.
The 18-year-old Russian had 31 goals and 38 assists in 42 games last season for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. He had 49 goals and 101 points in the 2010-11 season.
Bryant’s mom will not pursue charges
NFL: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant’s mother told authorities that she doesn’t want to pursue a case against her son after an argument allegedly turned violent.
Police in the southern Dallas suburb of DeSoto arrested Bryant last week after a July 14 incident in which he allegedly hit his mother, Angela Bryant, across the face with a ball cap. A police affidavit says Bryant grabbed his mother by her T-shirt, causing her bra to tear.
Prosecutors haven’t said whether they will pursue the case.
• Lions cut Berry after second arrest: The Detroit Lions cut cornerback Aaron Berry, two days after he was arrested for the second time this offseason.
Berry was taken into custody early Saturday morning on three charges of simple assault in Harrisburg, Pa. He was also arrested in that area June 23 on suspicion of DUI.
• Raiders trade WR Murphy: The Oakland Raiders traded wide receiver Louis Murphy to the Carolina Panthers for an undisclosed conditional draft choice.
Murphy made an immediate impact as Oakland’s fourth-round pick in 2009, catching 75 passes for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns in his first two seasons. But Murphy was slowed by a groin injury last season.
Smith, Gophers agree to extension
Miscellany: Minnesota coach Tubby Smith agreed to terms on a contract extension with the university through the 2016-17 season.
Entering his sixth season with the Gophers, Smith has yet to win an NCAA tournament game since leaving Kentucky and coming to Minnesota.
Smith is 103-68 with the Gophers.
• Shannon to coach at TCU: A person familiar with the negotiations says Randy Shannon and TCU have agreed on a contract for the former Miami coach to become the Horned Frogs’ linebackers coach.
Shannon was fired by Miami at the end of the 2010 regular season.