DENVER (AP) Patience paid off for the Colorado Avalanche, who signed Joe Sakic to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday after he decided to play a 20th season in the NHL rather than call it a career. (MORE)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season. (MORE)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Veteran NHL defenseman Bryan Berard will attempt to make an NHL club on a tryout contract, after being invited to training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. (MORE)

CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks signed 19-year-old right wing Akim Aliu, the 56th overall pick in the 2007 draft, to a three-year contract on Monday. (MORE)

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings signed tough-guy right wing Aaron Downey to a one-year contract on Wednesday. (MORE)

(AP) -- The Minnesota Wild hope to make Marian Gaborik an offer he won't refuse. Their first step was a visit to Slovakia for a face-to-face meeting with their franchise player. (MORE)

(AP) -- The NHL refuses to entertain compensation offers from a newly formed Russian hockey league for the signing of forward Alex Radulov while the player was under contract with the Nashville Predators. (MORE)

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) If the Washington Capitals of two years ago had tried to recruit Jose Theodore, he would have been a tougher catch. (MORE)

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) The NHL reached an agreement with a new Russian hockey league Thursday that temporarily ends the threat of players being lured away by big-money offers. (MORE)

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) Martin Straka signed a 1-year contract Thursday with his former Czech club. (MORE)