DARCY KUEMPER

The New Jersey Devils have agreed to terms with left winger Ondrej Palat on a $30 million, five-year contract.

The Columbus Blue Jackets made the biggest splash in NHL free agency, stunning the league by landing Johnny Gaudreau with a seven-year contract for $68.25 million.

Several top players including Gaudreau and Palat could still sign contracts prior to hitting the open market. The Blue Jackets also signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson to a four-year, $16 million contract. “Johnny Gaudreau is a superstar in the National Hockey League, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome him,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. Colorado also bid farewell to forward Andre Burakovsky, who signed a $27.5 million contract with the Seattle Kraken. Besides Kuemper, the offseason-long goalie carousel saw Jack Campbell leave Toronto for a five-year, $25 million contract with Edmonton.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced Wednesday, July 13, 2022, that the team has agreed to terms with forward Vincent Trocheck on a seven-year contract. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo)Claude Giroux is set to enjoy a homecoming in Ottawa, the Washington Capitals landed Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Darcy Kuemper and the New York Rangers made a major splash by signing versatile center Vincent Trocheck as NHL free agency opened with a rush on Wednesday. Kuemper left a championship team in Colorado to sign a $26.25 million, five-year contract with the Capitals, who are reshuffling their goaltending this offseason. Trocheck signed a $39.375 seven-year contract in a move made by the Rangers to replace Andrew Copp, who signed a $28.125 million, five-year contract with Detroit. Besides Kuemper, the offseason-long goalie carousel continued spinning with Jack Campbell leaving Toronto to sign a five-year, $25 million contract with Edmonton.

The Columbus Blue Jackets landed the biggest prize on the opening day of NHL free agency by signing Johnny Gaudreau to a $68.25 million seven-year contract.

Johnny Hockey is testing the free agent market, following Evgeni Malkin 's lead. MVP candidate Johnny Gaudreau informed the Calgary Flames he's leaving in free agency Wednesday, joining an NHL free agent class that features the most high-end talent available in several years. “It is my strong belief that this was a family decision, and I respect that fully,” disappointed Flames general manager Brad Treliving said Tuesday night.

Draft Hockey FILE - Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) protects his net during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Elmont, N.Y. The goalie carousel continued spinning even before the second day of the NHL draft began. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) (Frank Franklin II)MONTREAL — (AP) — The goalie carousel continued spinning Friday even before the second day of the NHL draft began. “We’ll explore trade opportunities there, we’ll look at the free agent market and then we’ll analyze the (restricted free agent) contracts that are coming,” general manager Brian MacLellan said earlier in the week. ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The goalie carousel continues to spin even before the second day of the NHL draft begins.

Japan's NHK television says former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died after being shot during a campaign speech. (July 8)

Colorado, Chicago and Pittsburgh all made key moves ahead of the NHL draft with the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche making a deal to shore up their goaltending situation and the Penguins ensuring a long-time defenseman was sticking around.

Moves are already happening around the NHL several hours before the draft begins, with the reigning Stanley Cup winners making a move to shore up their goaltending situation and a recent back-to-back champion ensuring a long-time defenseman was sticking around. The Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche on Thursday acquired goaltender Alexandar Georgiev from the New York Rangers for three draft picks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins also signed veteran defenseman Kris Letang to a $36.6 million, six-year contract that carries a $6.1 million annual salary cap hit. Colorado gave up third- and fifth-round picks this year and a third-rounder next year for Georgiev.

The city will celebrate the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup title with a parade through the streets of downtown Denver.

The Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup showed the value of speed and skill in a league dramatically tilting in that direction.

The Avalanche took down the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Sunday in game 6 of the finals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t relinquish their stronghold on the Stanley Cup without a fight.

The Colorado Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup after dethroning the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Colorado Avalanche were stymied in their quest to close out the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Tampa Bay Lightning spoiled Colorado’s party and they are still in the hunt for a third straight Stanley Cup title after beating the Avalanche 3-2 in Game 5.

A resilient win,” said Kadri, who had been sidelined since being injured during Game 3 of the Western Conference final against Edmonton. “I figured it was time to join the party.”The Avalanche outshot the Lightning 11-3 in the extra period. Vasilevskiy stopped Logan O'Connor on a breakaway, and Colorado had a shot clang off the post and another hit the crossbar before Kadri ended it. Game 5 is Friday night in Denver, where Colorado won the first two games of the series and are 7-2 this postseason. Anthony Cirelli scored 36 seconds into the game and Victor Hedman also scored in regulation for the Lightning.

Nazem Kadri scored at 12:02 of overtime — perhaps with too many Colorado players on the ice — and the Avalanche beat Tampa Bay 3-2 on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final to move within a victory of dethroning the two-time defending champion Lightning.

The Colorado Avalanche got a key player back with the return of Nazem Kadri for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stamkos, Paul, Maroon and Perry scored in the second period, when the Lightning chased Colorado goalie Darcy Kuemper while pulling away to trim their series deficit to 2-1. The defending champs became the first team since 1919 to win a Stanley Cup Final game after losing by seven-plus goals the previous game. The Avalanche lifted Kuemper after Maroon scored a soft goal that put the Lightning up 5-2 with 8:45 remaining in the second. The Lightning became the third team in NHL history score six goals in a Stanley Cup Final after yielding at least seven the previous game. Paul scored for the Lightning after sitting out a portion of the first period with what appeared to be a right leg injury.

Darcy Kuemper, after rarely being tested in a 7-0 win in Game 2 Saturday night that put the Avalanche up 2-0 in the series, was pulled midway through the second after giving up five goals on 22 shots. Kuemper left Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against Edmonton with an upper-body injury and was replaced by Pavel Francouz, who was in net for a four-game sweep over the Oilers. The end for Kuemper came when Tampa Bay tough guy Pat Maroon made it 5-2 with an in-close backhander 11:15 into the second. The goal came after Colorado defenseman Josh Manson made an errant pass from behind the net. Despite Kuemper posting an 8-3 mark in the playoffs this year, there was immediate speculations about which goalie would start Game 4 on Wednesday night.

Colorado not only failed to take a stranglehold in the Stanley Cup Final after a 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 3 but also wound up with goaltending questions.

Steven Stamkos, Pat Maroon and Ondrej Palat each had a goal and an assist, and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored four times in the second period and beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Steven Stamkos, Pat Maroon and Ondrej Palat each had a goal and an assist, and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored four times in the second period and beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The fast-flying Colorado Avalanche have zoomed out to a 2-0 series lead over Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Tampa Bay Lightning shrugged off their overtime loss to Colorado in the opener of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Colorado Avalanche overwhelmed the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Stanley Cup Lightning Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) gives up a goal to the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)DENVER — (AP) — Darcy Kuemper smirked. A day after saying he and Colorado Avalanche goalie partner Pavel Francouz usually get a text message the night before a game telling them who's starting, he finally let on that it wasn't such a secret going into the Stanley Cup Final. Kuemper made 20 saves on 23 shots and has coach Jared Bednar's trust going into Game 2 Saturday night. ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The Colorado Avalanche are expected to stick with goaltender Darcy Kuemper in goal for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Injured Colorado Avalanche forwards Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano skated with an assistant coach Thursday after missing Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kadri skated with a stick in his hand for the first time since injuring his right thumb crashing into the boards during the last round. Cogliano took a puck to the right hand in Colorado’s series clincher against Edmonton in the Western Conference final.

Andre Burakovsky scored 1:23 into overtime and the Colorado Avalanche opened the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-3 victory over the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.

The Colorado Avalanche didn't need to be fully healthy to sweep the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference final.

Nathan MacKinnon scored late in the third. This game was a departure from a high-scoring Game 1 in which there were 14 goals and 84 shots. Francouz grew stronger with every save he made as he stepped in for Darcy Kuemper, who left Game 1 with an upper-body injury. To slow down the speedy MacKinnon, Edmonton shadowed him virtually at all times. Colorado and Edmonton turned in about as entertaining first period as possible for no goals scored.

Nazem Kadri had three assists in a 2:04 span in the second period, backup Pavel Francouz stopped 24 shots for his second career playoff shutout and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Oilers Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche left wing J.T. Compher scored twice, Cale Makar had a goal and two assists and the Colorado Avalanche held off the Edmonton Oilers 8-6 on Tuesday night in a fast-paced, no-lead-felt-safe Game 1 of the Western Conference final. Edmonton and Colorado scored six times over a 6:43 span — nearly a goal a minute. Kuemper left the game in the second period as well, after surrendering three goals on 16 shots. After Cogliano's goal gave Colorado a 7-3 lead late in the second, it looked like the game might be in hand.

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Avalanche Blues Hockey Members of Colorado Avalanche celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, May 27, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Darren Helm scored with 5.6 seconds left and Darcy Kuemper stopped 17 shots as the Colorado Avalanche finished off their second-round series with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 on Friday night. Jordan Kyrou and Justin Faulk scored for St. Louis. The Blues forced a Game 5 by beating Colorado 5-4 in overtime on Wednesday on a goal by Tyler Bozak. Gretzky, who played 18 games for the Blues in the 1995-96 season, has a house in St. Louis.

Darren Helm scored with 5.6 seconds left and Darcy Kuemper stopped 18 shots as the Colorado Avalanche finished off their second-round series with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game 6.

Tyler Bozak scored 3:38 into overtime and the St. Louis Blues fended off elimination in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Nazem Kadri scored three goals, including two during a four-goal second period barrage, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 6-3 to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference series.

Avalanche Blues Hockey Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper celebrates with teammates Nazem Kadri (91), Erik Johnson (6) and Andrew Cogliano (11) following a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Saturday, May 21, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen scored twice, Darcy Kuemper stopped 29 shots and the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 in Game 3 of their second-round series Saturday night. Logan O'Connor, Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog also scored as the Avalanche to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Lehkonen scored his second of the night with Husso pulled to put Colorado up 5-2 in the final minute. Girard was ruled out with an upper body injury and was transported to a St. Louis area hospital for further evaluation.

Artturi Lehkonen scored twice, Darcy Kuemper stopped 29 shots and the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 in Game 3 of their second-round series.

David Perron scored twice, Jordan Binnington made 30 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 to tie their second-round series at a game apiece.

APTOPIX Blues Avalanche Hockey St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) makes a save against Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Denver. Ryan O'Reilly had a first-period goal and Jordan Kyrou tied it late for St. Louis. O'Reilly has a goal in five straight playoff games, matching the longest playoff goal streak in Blues history. Leading into the game, Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who's coming off late-season knee surgery, wasn't buying the rust argument. The Avalanche swept St. Louis in the playoffs last season.

Josh Manson scored 8:02 into overtime, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves in his return to the net from an eye injury, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in Game 1 of their second-round series.

The pressure is squarely on the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Calgary Flames down two games to one in their respective first-round series.

The Avs had a couple missed opportunities once Nashville pulled goalie Connor Ingram with more than 4 minutes remaining. KUEMPER HURTThe Avalanche goalie was hurt with 56.6 seconds left in the first period when Johansen's stick caught him through the mask. ROOKIE GOALIEIngram became the first rookie in Nashville history to start a playoff game in Game 2’s overtime loss on Thursday night. His 49 saves tied for most by a goalie in his first postseason start in the last 10 years and tied for the fourth-most saves by a Predators goalie in franchise history in the playoffs. Ingram stopped 79 of 83 shots faced over the first two games of this series after coming off the bench.

Gabriel Landeskog scored twice in the second period, and the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 7-3 for a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference series.

Predators Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper celebrates the team's 2-1 overtime win against the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (AP) — Colorado goaltender Darcy Kuemper yanked his mask off and fell to the ice holding his head after being struck by a stick Saturday. The goalie was able to skate off and headed to the locker room holding a towel to his face. The top-seeded Avalanche led 2-1 with Kuemper making 10 saves when hurt, and he was replaced by Pavel Francouz. Carolina goalie Antti Raanta left victory over Boston after David Pastrnak struck him in the head with a gloved hand.

Colorado goaltender Darcy Kuemper yanked his mask off and fell to the ice holding his head after being struck by a stick Saturday.

Colorado goaltender Darcy Kuemper yanked his mask off and fell to the ice holding his head after being struck by a stick Saturday. Replays showed Predators center Ryan Johansen's stick apparently poked through Kuemper's mask. Johansen watched a replay of the injury while standing at the boards.

Predators Avalanche Hockey Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram (39) blocks a shot by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, bottom right, during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Denver. Nathan MacKinnon also scored for Colorado, which faced a more intense Nashville defense after winning 7-2 in Game 1. He allowed MacKinnon's goal on the first shot of the game and turned back everything until Makar's goal. The 25-year-old Ingram relieved David Rittich in the first game after the Avalanche scored five first-period goals. The first period was vastly different for the Predators than Game 1, when they allowed five goals.

Cale Makar scored 8:31 into overtime, Darcy Kuemper made 25 saves on his 32nd birthday and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews scored 22 seconds apart in a five-goal first period, sending the Colorado Avalanche to a 7-2 win over the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

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Nathan MacKinnon had three goals and two assists, Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored twice in a dominant first period and the Colorado Avalanche set a franchise record with their 53rd win by routing the Los Angeles Kings 9-3.

Avalanche Penguins Hockey Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon, center, celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) (Keith Srakocic)PITTSBURGH — (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff spot with the help of two goals from Nathan MacKinnon in a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. Mikko Rantanen continued a six-game point streak with an assist in his 400th NHL game (he has 400 career points). Colorado opened a 3-1 lead with a pair of second-period goals scored 2:07 apart. Jeff Carter assisted on Guentzel's goal, becoming the 20th active player with 800 NHL points.

Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff spot with a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguin.

Ethan Bear scored the game’s first goal with 5:40 left and Sebastian Aho added an empty-netter to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-0 on Thursday night.

Nathan MacKinnon scored in the third period to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. The Avalanche overcame a 2-1 deficit by scoring two goals 26 seconds apart early in the third period, with J.T. Compher tying the game and MacKinnon burying the go-ahead goal in front of 18,333 in attendance. Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault scored for Vegas.

Avalanche Stars Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) celebrates his goal with teammate Gabriel Landeskog (92) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero)DALLAS — (AP) — Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves for his second shutout this season, Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals and the streaking Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 4-0 on Sunday. Nicolas Aube-Kubel added a goal at 13:50 of the third period, and Landeskog backhanded an unassisted empty-net goal with 1:50 remaining. Both first-period goals against Holtby came when the Stars allowed Colorado skaters in front of the net. His four short-handed points are tied for the NHL lead.

Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves for his second shutout this season, Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals and the streaking Colorado Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 4-0.

Alex Galchenyuk was the only scorer in the shootout and the Arizona Coyotes rallied to beat Colorado 3-2, snapping the Avalanche’s 18-game home winning streak.

Gabriel Landeskog tied the game with 36.5 seconds left in regulation and Cale Makar scored a power-play goal 3:01 into overtime as the Colorado Avalanche rallied past the Boston Bruins 4-3 for their 17th straight home victory.

The Colorado Avalanche became the first team in 26 years to score seven goals in three straight games with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Logan O’Connor scored twice in a 22-second span in a five-goal second period, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Rangers 7-3, ending New York’s seven-game winning streak.

Latvia Ice Hockey Worlds Canada's Michael Bunting challenges for the puck with Latvia's Martins Karsums during the Ice Hockey World Championship group B match between Canada and Latvia at the Arena in Riga, Latvia, Friday, May 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) (Sergei Grits)RIGA, Latvia — (AP) — Matiss Kivlenieks made 38 saves and host Latvia beat Canada 2-0 on Friday in their world hockey opener. “We knew that Canada didn’t play a lot together so we wanted to take advantage,” Indrasis said. The United States will open Group B play Saturday against Finland. In the other Group B game Friday, Marcel Noebels scored twice to help Germany rout Italy 9-4.

Matiss Kivlenieks made 38 saves and host Latvia beat Canada 2-0 on Friday in their world hockey opener.

Rick Tocchet is out as coach of the Arizona Coyotes after four seasons.