Blues Re-Sign Goalies

The St. Louis Blues have signed goalies Grant Fuhr and Jamie McLennan, but general manager Larry Pleau was just as concerned Wednesday about two players that might get away.

Pleau announced that winger Brett Hull and defenseman Al MacInnis, both unrestricted free agents after this season, have rejected three-year deals. And Pleau said the Blues’ offers have been pulled until July, when the players become free agents.

“I will sleep with my fingers crossed until we get another stab at this in July,” Pleau said.

The Blues did not disclose the terms or length of the contracts for Fuhr, 35, or McLennan, 26.

In addition to Hull and MacInnis, winger Geoff Courtnall, center Terry Yake and defenseman Steve Duchesne also become free agents after this season.

Oilers apparently staying put

A local group’s $70 million offer for the Edmonton Oilers was accepted by owner Peter Pocklington and the Alberta Treasury Branches, another step toward keeping the team in the city.

Local investors came up with $35 million and a loan agreement from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce on Friday, the deadline to keep the team in the northern Alberta city.

The 17 local investors, whose offer must be approved by the NHL for a sale to be completed, paid a $5 million deposit and have until May 5 to pay the remaining $65 million.

On the ice

Kevin Stevens scored with 18.6 seconds left in overtime to give the New York Rangers a 2-1 victory over the visiting Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.

Martin Brodeur broke his own team record for wins in a season (38) by stopping 25 shots as the New Jersey Devils beat the visiting Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-0. It was Brodeur’s 30th career shutout and his eighth this season.