Tocchet reunites with Coyotes

Rick Tocchet is rejoining the staff of Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky after an absence of two years while he dealt with legal issues surrounding his involvement with illegal gambling.

The time away was a combination of a leave of absence and a suspension by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Tocchet returns to his former job of associate head coach.

"This was a mistake. The whole thing makes you feel bad," Tocchet said on Wednesday. "I feel bad for my parents and everybody else that this went down, but the bottom line is that after everybody did due diligence, I'm going to be back coaching again tomorrow."

PHANEUF SIGNS ON FOR SIX YEARS: All-Star defenseman Dion Phaneuf has signed a six-year contract extension with the Calgary Flames. Terms of the deal were not announced.

The third-year defenseman is in the final season of his entry-level contract and is earning slightly more than $940,000.

Phaneuf, 22, has 35 points in 53 games this season and scored a goal in the NHL All-Star Game last month.

BLUE JACKETS BRING UP MASON: Columbus recalled goaltender Steve Mason, 19, from the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers and left wing Joakim Lindstrom from Syracuse of the AHL on Wednesday.

OILERS' NEW OWNER MAKES PROMISES: Daryl Katz, the local pharmacy billionaire expected to be approved as the new owner of the Edmonton Oilers, promised Wednesday to be a hands-on executive who will demand minimal bureaucracy and maximum accountability.

"I believe the Oilers can benefit from that philosophy. Management will be empowered to make decisive decisions very quickly," he said on a conference call.

Katz also vowed to keep the Oilers in Edmonton.