For now, top free agent Richards goes unsigned

By the end of the first day of NHL free agency, more than 60 players had signed new deals. The top available player, center Brad Richards, was not one of them.

The expected teams made their pitches to him and were waiting for a decision: the New York Rangers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Los Angeles Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Another—the Tampa Bay Lightning—decided to pass, as did the Buffalo Sabres, who hadn't been mentioned as a contender in the days leading up to July 1.

And another surprise entry, the Calgary Flames, finished the night with momentum in their attempt to sign the 31-year-old former Conn Smythe winner.(tsn, toronto maple leafs, leafs, maple leafs, eric cole )

The Flames, led by captain Jarome Iginla and general manager Jay Feaster, had made strong push to sign Richards, according to TSN.ca's Darren Dreger.

There are concerns over the Flames' ability to fit Richards, whom they offered nine years and $64 million, according to the New York Daily News, under the salary cap—they have about that much in space, but only have five defensemen under contract. One potential solution is burying Niklas Hagman and his $3 million cap hit in the AHL.


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Oilers take Nugent-Hopkins with first pick of NHL draft

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Edmonton Oilers selected Red Deer Rebels centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with the first overall pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.

He was the top-rated North American skater in the latest rankings from NHL Central Scouting.

The Colorado Avalanche took Swedish left-winger Gabriel Landeskog of the Kitchener Rangers with the second selection.

The Florida Panthers then snagged Saint John Sea Dogs centre and Memorial Cup MVP Jonathan Huberdeau at No. 3. Huberdeau was the highest QMJHL player drafted since Sidney Crosby was taken first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005.

The New Jersey Devils followed by taking six-foot-three Swedish defenceman Adam Larsson with the fourth pick.(tsn, 2011 nhl draft, nhl draft 2011, edmonton oilers, tsn.ca)

The six-foot, 170-pound Nugent-Hopkins led the Western Hockey League with 75 assists last season. He also had 31 goals and finished fourth in league scoring with 106 points.


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