Blue Jackets reward coach
Published: Thu, Jul. 10, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Thu, Jul. 10, 2008 01:01AM
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closeCoach Ken Hitchcock signed a three-year contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday, saying he welcomes the chance to turn the only team not to make the playoffs into a winner.
"This is a challenge I want badly," said Hitchcock, whose new deal will keep him behind the bench through the 2011-12 season. "I want to be the coach that takes this team to the highest level."
Hitchcock, 56, has a career NHL record of 470-314-117 with the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus. His Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
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In Hitchcock's first full season, the Blue Jackets set franchise records for wins (34) and points (80) while going 34-36-12 in 2007-08.
CAPS GIVE FEDOROV, LAICH NEW DEALS: The Washington Capitals agreed to terms with 1994 NHL MVP Sergei Fedorov for a one-year, $4 million contract and rewarded forward Brooks Laich's career season with a three-year, $6.1 million deal Wednesday.
Fedorov was one of three trade deadline acquisitions that helped the Capitals end a five-year playoff drought last season. The 38-year-old center had 13 points in 18 regular-season games with Washington after being dealt by Columbus.
Laich, 25, had career highs in goals (21) and assists (16) and was one of four Caps to play in all 82 games. Known mostly as a center, Laich said he has been working with a trainer to strengthen his legs because he expects to be playing more on the wing.
MORE MOVES: The New York Islanders signed alternate captain Brendan Witt, a defenseman, to a two-year extension worth $6 million through the 2010-11 season.
* The Nashville Predators agreed to terms with forward Josh Gratton, 25, on a one-year, two-way contract.
* Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff re-signed with the San Jose Sharks, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $9.3 million. The German Olympian, who has spent his entire NHL career with San Jose, was a restricted free agent.
* Defenseman Josh Gorges, 23, signed a three-year, $3.3 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens.
* The Atlanta Thrashers re-signed forward Eric Boulton, 31, an unrestricted free agent, to a multiyear deal.
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