JOHN KLINGBERG

Ducks Klingberg Hockey FILE - Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Washington. The Anaheim Ducks are close to signing John Klingberg, the top defenseman on the NHL free agent market, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) (Nick Wass)ANAHEIM, Calif. — (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $7 million contract on Friday, landing the top defenseman on the NHL free agent market. “We are extremely excited to add John to our group,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said. Anaheim has missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, but the Ducks appear to be primed for improvement in the fall.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks are close to signing John Klingberg, the top defenseman on the NHL free agent market, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the Ducks and Klingberg haven't finalized every detail of the deal to bring the offensive-minded Swede from Dallas to Orange County. He had six goals and 41 assists for Dallas last season, although he was a career-worst minus-28. Klingberg scored 20 points while Dallas had the man advantage last season, and he has 148 career points on the power play. Anaheim has missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, but the Ducks appear to be primed for improvement in the fall.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $7 million contract.

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

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.

Rasmus Andersson scored Calgary’s first power-play goal since early in the playoff opener, Jacob Markstrom had 34 saves and the Flames beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 in Game 4 to even their first-round series.

Flames Stars Hockey Dallas Stars' Joe Pavelski (16) and Vladislav Namestnikov (92) celebrate a after Pavelski scored against Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the third period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Dallas. It appeared that Lucic, who was engaged with Tyler Seguin, tried to avoid the Dallas goalie. The Flames took a 2-1 lead when Lindholm scored from just inside the circle early in the second period. He has 26 penalty minutes in this series, after 34 penalty minutes in 74 regular-season games. There have been 45 penalties and 124 penalty minutes combined in the three games.

Joe Pavelski scored twice and got the game-winner on the first power-play goal in the series for Dallas as the Stars beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

The combination of jumbled standings in the Western Conference and a flat salary cap has stalled much of the trade market around the NHL.

Penguins Stars Hockey Dallas Stars left wing Roope Hintz (24) celebrates his goal with teammates Joe Pavelski (16) and Miro Heiskanen (4) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Dallas, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero)DALLAS — (AP) — Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski scored 1:15 apart late in the third period and the Dallas Stars stopped Pittsburgh’s winning streak at 10 games, beating the Penguins 3-2 on Saturday. “In the first (period), we were just giving them a little bit too much respect,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “Then I think in the second and the third, we started to play Dallas Stars hockey.”Denis Gurianov also scored and Jake Oettinger stopped 27 shots for Dallas. “That’s not my job description.”WORTH NOTINGGurianov’s goal followed a career-best three-point game (one goal, two assists) Thursday in a 5-4 shootout win over Florida.

Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski scored 75 seconds apart late in the third period, and the Dallas Stars stopped Pittsburgh’s 10-game win streak with a 3-2 victory over the Penguins.

The Stars' return comes after 17 players tested positive for COVID-19, even though most were asymptomatic. Their first four scheduled games, all on the road and including an early Stanley Cup Final rematch with Tampa Bay, were postponed. “Right now, listen, we're all ready for a game,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said after practice Thursday at their home arena. Now the Stars are the last team to open the NHL's 56-game, division-only regular season. About 5,000 fans will be allowed for Stars games, well below the hockey capacity of 18,532, though the NBA's Dallas Mavericks are playing their home games there without fans.

This is a Stanley Cup matchup for all of those who like their games to be a bit defensive. “In today’s NHL you need that for your team to be successful,” Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh said Friday. “We're not surprised,” Stars defenseman John Klingberg said. ... He’s doing it all right now.”The Stars signed 14-year veteran Andrej Sekera as a free agent last summer, and he is finally in his first Stanley Cup Final with his fifth team. “Everyone is obviously very hungry to go all of the way,” said Hedman, part of Tampa Bay's loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final five years ago.