Gretzky Will End Career As A Ranger
Wayne Gretzky has made his last move.
No, the Great One isn’t retiring. He’s just staying put.
The NHL’s all-time leading scorer has signed a contract extension with the New York Rangers that guarantees he will finish his career with the team.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Gretzky said Thursday at Madison Square Garden, where the team announced the deal. “For a professional athlete, this is the greatest city to compete in.”
The contract extension will keep the 36-year-old scoring king with the Rangers for at least two more seasons. Gretzky reportedly will earn $6.5 million this season and $5 million the following year.
Gretzky, who holds or shares 61 league records, enters his 19th NHL season with 862 goals, 1,843 assists and 2,705 points. He has won 10 scoring titles, nine regular-season MVP awards and two Stanley Cup MVPs. Gretzky also has played on four Stanley Cup champions, all with the Edmonton Oilers.
Messier named Canucks captain
When the Vancouver Canucks play their season-opening two games this weekend in Japan, they will have a new captain - Mark Messier.
Their opponents, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, are trying to adjust to playing without their captain - star forward Paul Kariya, who is holding out in a contract dispute.
Trevor Linden, the Canucks’ captain since 1991, handed the honor to Messier Thursday.
“I’ve thought about it, and it’s the best decision,” Linden said after practice. “I know it’s the right thing to do.”
The two games in Tokyo mark the first time that NHL regular season games are being played outside North America.
Bruins edge Kings
Rob DiMaio scored a tie-breaking goal with 6:01 left Thursday night and the Boston Bruins, playing their home opener before the smallest crowd ever at the FleetCenter, beat the Los Angeles Kings 6-5 in the debut of Boston coach Pat Burns.
Bondra back with Capitals
Right wing Peter Bondra will return to the Washington Capitals today, ending a contract dispute in which the team suspended him for refusing to play while his contract is renegotiated.
Bruins 6, Kings 5
At Boston
Los Angeles 2 3 0 5
Boston 3 2 1 6
First period1, Boston, Heinze 1 (Allison, Ellett), 7:57 (pp). 2, Boston McLaren 1 (DiMaio), 8:25. 3, Los Angeles, Smyth 1 (Boucher, MacLean), 8:46. 4, Los Angeles, Murray 1 (Norstrom, Stumpel), 13:26. 5, Boston, Khristich 1 (Donato), 17:50.
Second period6, Los Angeles, Stumpel 1 (Johnson, MacLean), 7:37. 7, Boston, Bates 1 (Sweeney), 10:15. 8, Boston, Taylor 1 (Donato), 13:01. 9, Los Angeles, Ferraro 1 (Moger, Zmolek), 15:20. 10, Los Angeles, Robitaille 2 (Johnson), 16:04.
Third period11, Boston, DiMaio 1 (Sweeney), 6:01.
Shots on goalLos Angeles 12-14-531. Boston 7-13-1030.Power-play opp.Los Angeles 0 of 2; Boston 1 of 4.GoaliesLos Angeles, Fiset 0-1-1 (30 shots 24 saves). Boston, Dafoe 1-0-0 (31-26).A12,946 (17,565).