National Hockey

Months removed from sports hernia and hip surgeries, Claude Giroux still didn't feel like himself. The Philadelphia Flyers' captain finally got back to normal by the end of the season, roughly nine months after going under the knife.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks are parting ways with defenceman Simon Despres, whose once-promising career has been curtailed by serious concussion issues. The Ducks placed Despres on waivers Friday.

The last time the NHL had an expansion draft, Steve Yzerman was coming off a Selke trophy-winning season as captain of the Detroit Red Wings.

NEWARK, N.J. — With the NHL draft a week away, the New Jersey Devils are still holding the No. 1 pick and getting ready to use it.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Thornton is expected to be healthy at the start of training camp despite undergoing off-season surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes have made changes to their front office under owner Andrew Barroway.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Jujhar Khaira to a two-year contract extension. Khaira, 22, appeared in 10 games with the Oilers in 2016-17, posting one goal, two penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo is on track to report for the start of training camp in September in recovering from an undisclosed illness that placed his future in question two months ago.

MONTREAL — General manager Marc Bergevin couldn't pass up a chance to bring one of the most talented French-Canadian players in the league to the Montreal Canadiens.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Phil Housley still remembers high-fiving Sabres fans at Memorial Auditorium in opening his Hall of Fame career in Buffalo during the 1980s.