National Hockey

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators will begin the task of trying to return to the NHL Eastern Conference final without the guy who played a huge role in getting them there last season.

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators have signed Harry Zolnierczyk to a one-year, two-way contract keeping the 30-year-old forward with the franchise. The Predators announced the deal Wednesday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have signed left wing Daniel Winnik to a one-year, $660,000 contract. Winnik was in training camp on a tryout basis. He was a free agent after a career-high 12 goals in 72 games last season for Washington.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin has scored 50 goals so regularly that finishing with 30-something was a disappointment. Ovechkin is responsible for seven of the 20 times any player has scored 50 goals in a season since he entered the league in 2005.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms on a $42-million, seven-year contract extension with forward Nikolaj Ehlers on Wednesday. The extension begins a year from now and carries an average annual value of $6 million, the Jets said in a release.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenceman Zach Redmond in a trade that sent forward Nicolas Deslauriers to the Montreal Canadiens.

Guy Boucher didn't want to leave anything to chance when he was hired as head coach of the Ottawa Senators.

Guy Boucher didn't want to leave anything to chance when he was hired as head coach of the Ottawa Senators.

The 101st NHL season opens Wednesday night and there are endless story lines to follow. The Associated Press asked a handful of its writers to suggest some of the top things to watch as play gets underway: ___ TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Motivated to be better, Buffalo Sabres centre Jack Eichel called his first two NHL seasons as being "mediocre" upon arriving at training camp last month.