NHL News:

NHL OKs Kovalchuk's new deal with Devils (AP) - The New Jersey Devils did more than sign Ilya Kovalchuk to a $100 million contract. A byproduct of the revised 15-year deal was that the Devils helped the NHL and its players union reach an agreement on long-term contracts that will define how much money will count toward salary caps. "That is exactly what just transpired with the amendment," Devils president and general manager Lou...

Thrashers sign F Modin to 1-year deal (AP) - The Atlanta Thrashers have signed free agent forward Fredrik Modin, giving the team another veteran with experience in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The 35-year-old Modin had 11 points in 44 games with Columbus and the Los Angeles Kings last season. He signed a one-year contract. The Thrashers announced the deal with Modin on Monday.

Sharks sign Stanley Cup-winning G Niemi (AP) - The San Jose Sharks signed the goalie who helped knock them out of the playoffs, agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal with Antti Niemi on Thursday. Niemi joins fellow Finnish netminder Antero Niittymaki in San Jose as the replacements for longtime starter Evgeni Nabokov. Niittymaki signed a two-year, $4 million deal on the first day of free agency in July.