Penguins' Gonchar out

Veteran defenseman could be facing shoulder surgery

Sergei Gonchar will be kept out of the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup at least through the season-opening game in two weeks because of a dislocated left shoulder.

Gonchar, who was injured during the first period of the Penguins' exhibition opener Saturday, led the reigning Eastern Conference champions in ice time last season and was third on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 53 assists.

General manager Ray Shero said surgery is an option for the 34-year-old defenseman, who is entering his 14th NHL season.

"I think Sergei is at a point right now where he just needs to gather as much information possible through the doctors and make a decision when he's comfortable making a decision," Shero said.

Gonchar's injury means that Pittsburgh will open the season without their top two defensemen. Ryan Whitney underwent foot surgery last month and is likely out until December.

HABS TO GET LOGO ON CANADIAN DOLLAR: The Montreal Canadiens will have a Canadian dollar coin minted with their "CH" logo featured prominently as part of extensive celebrations leading up to the team's 100th anniversary next year.

Approximately 10 million of the coins will be struck by the Royal Canadian Mint and issued for circulation.

SITE REVAMPED: The NHL's newly redesigned Web site at www.nhl.com is up and running.

The NHL also has become the first league to join Yahoo! Sports to develop a co-branded fantasy sports game and use video footage as part of the game.

SHARKS' MURRAY GETS EXTENSION: Defenseman Doug Murray agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY'S EXHIBITION GAMES

FLAMES 3, COYOTES 2: Daymond Langkow scored early in the third period to help Calgary beat Phoenix in front of a pro-Flames crowd of 12,621 at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Coyotes franchise left Winnipeg after the 1995-96 season. Phoenix captain Shane Doan, the last remaining Coyote to have played for the Jets, assisted on both goals.

CANADIENS 3, RED WINGS 2: Andrei Markov scored the only goal of the shootout to lift Montreal over the host Detroit.

Montreal defenseman Mathieu Carle was carried off the ice on a stretcher 5:25 into the game after a hit by Detroit forward Tomas Kopecky. Carle lost and regained consciousness on the ice and was taken to Detroit Medical Center for testing.

Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom was hit in the face with a shot in the third period. He took stitches above his right eye and went to a hospital for X-rays.

PENGUINS 3, MAPLE LEAFS 2: Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist and host Pittsburgh got three special-team goals to beat Toronto. The Penguins had two power-play goals and a short-handed goal.

DEVILS 3, RANGERS 2: Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise scored first-period goals against Henrik Lundqvist, and New Jersey rode the early offense to a win over New York at Newark, N.J.

WILD 2, BLUE JACKETS 1: Niklas Backstrom made 22 saves and Owen Nolan had an assist in his Minnesota debut, a victory over visiting Columbus.

SENATORS 3, FLYERS 1: Chris Neil scored two goals and host Ottawa beat Philadelphia. The Senators' Martin Gerber went the distance and made 10 saves.