In brief: Islanders will buy out Yashin’s contract

The New York Islanders will buy out the remaining four years on captain Alexei Yashin’s 10-year contract in the first step of an off-season overhaul they hope will include re-signing Jason Blake and Ryan Smyth.

Yashin finished with 119 goals and 171 assists in 346 games with the Islanders, but struggled the past two seasons as captain.

Yashin came to the Islanders in a trade with Ottawa after the 2000-01 season. New York signed him to a 10-year contract worth $87.5 million, and the four years left are worth $26.45 million. The Islanders can buy Yashin out by paying two-thirds of the remaining amount ($17.63 million) over the next eight years for a salary-cap hit of about $2.2 million per season.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Nik Antropov to a two-year extension. The deal will pay Antropov $1.95 million next season and $2.15 million in 2008-09.

Basketball

Van Gundy hot ticket

Stan Van Gundy was in Sacramento, Calif., touring the area and meeting with Kings officials for further discussions about becoming their head coach, the NBA club confirmed.

The Orlando Magic are also hoping to sign Van Gundy.

“Former Missouri coach Quin Snyder has been hired by the Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League. Snyder, 40, replaces Dennis Johnson, the former NBA star who died from a heart attack on Feb. 22.

Auto racing

Patrick won’t apologize

Dan Wheldon isn’t seeking an apology from Danica Patrick for their postrace confrontation on pit row.

Good thing, because Wheldon isn’t likely to get one.

“I don’t think there’s anything really to talk about,” Patrick said. “I get along with Dan off the track, and I think when it comes to what’s on the track, that’s separate.”

The IRL said it will take no punitive action against Wheldon or Patrick after their on-track collision and subsequent postrace confrontation Sunday in Milwaukee.

“Jeff Gordon took a trip down memory lane, returning to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, where he raced as a youth. Gordon, Tony Stewart and other top NASCAR drivers were at Eldora for a charity race organized by Stewart.

Miscellany

Arizona wears crown

Taryne Mowatt went the distance and Arizona won its eighth NCAA softball title, breaking loose against Tennessee ace Monica Abbott for a 5-0 victory in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

“Emirates Team New Zealand will face defending champion Alinghi in the America’s Cup. The Kiwis finished a 5-0 sweep of Luna Rossa in the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia, Spain, pitting them against the Swiss boat for the Auld Mug.

“Golfers Vijay Singh, K.J. Choi and Fred Funk plan to play in Tiger Woods’ new event in Bethesda, Md., the AT&T National which takes place July 5-8.