National Hockey

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames have named Don Maloney vice-president of hockey operations. Maloney, who originally joined the Flames in 2016 as a scout, will report directly to general manager Brad Treliving.

PITTSBURGH — A suburban Pittsburgh ice rink that won the right to host a Pittsburgh Penguins preseason contest will instead have to settle for a ticketed practice by the Stanley Cup champions after the facility was deemed unfit to host an NHL game.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — A person familiar with negotiations tells The Associated Press the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel are discussing a contract extension that could run the NHL maximum eight years.

This off-season for the Minnesota Wild was never going to be about making major additions. This was simply the summer of maintenance and sustenance, with a new contract for Mikael Granlund one of the biggest priorities.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Wild have agreed to terms with standout forward Mikael Granlund on a three-year, $17.25 million contract.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes and defenceman Brett Pesce have agreed to a six-year contract extension. Under terms of the deal announced Tuesday and taking effect in 2018-19, Pesce will make $4.025 million per season.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. says he wants to sell his team for about $500 million.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have hired former NHL defenceman Mike Komisarek as a player development coach. Komisarek becomes the latest addition to first-time head coach Phil Housley's staff.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenceman Nathan Beaulieu has agreed to a two-year, $4.8 million deal in foregoing the opportunity to have his contract determined at an arbitration hearing.

Nino Niederreiter has been bold enough with his hobbies to ride on the outside of an airplane . On the ice, he plays a fearless game with a thick frame that's tough to knock off the puck around the net.