Caps move fast as free agency opens

NHL: The Washington Capitals made a couple of bold moves, bolstering the blue line behind Alex Ovechkin and giving defense-minded coach Barry Trotz the pieces he sought to build a winner.

Washington signed defenseman Matt Niskanen to a seven-year, $40.25 million contract soon after sealing a $27.5 million, five-year deal with defenseman Brooks Orpik on Tuesday in the opening hours of NHL free agency.

When the market opened, a flurry of moves was made as teams tried to make a splash to improve their rosters and fire up their fans. Roundup /B2

Associated Press

Bulls make hard pitch to Anthony

NBA:The Chicago Bulls made the hard sell for Carmelo Anthony and brought their stars along for the presentation.

That included Derrick Rose, no fan of recruiting. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson were there, too, trying to convince the New York Knicks’ free agent to choose the Bulls by showing he can help them contend for a championship in the Windy City.

Anthony arrived at a decked-out United Center in the afternoon with agent Leon Rose and coach Tom Thibodeau, a police SUV trailing their oversized limousine. In brief /B2

Associated Press

Eagles have five players tabbed

College football: Five Eastern Washington University football players – the most among teams represented – have been selected to The Sports Network NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America team.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and WR Cooper Kupp were selected to the first team, while senior LB Ronnie Hamlin was picked for the second team on defense. Third team selections included RB Quincy Forte and OT Clay DeBord.

Fordham also had five players selected to the squad, which included 101 players spread out among 59 schools and all 13 FCS conferences.