NHL | Ducks' coach gets one-year extension

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle signed a one-year extension yesterday to guide the Stanley Cup champions through the 2008-09 season.

"Randy has been the perfect fit for this organization with his hardworking, aggressive style," Ducks general manager Brian Burke said. "He has been a major factor in the success we've had the past two seasons." The Ducks became the first California team to win the Cup when they finished off the Ottawa Senators, 4-1, in the championship series last week.

Gratton traded. The Florida Panthers traded center Chris Gratton to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a second-round pick in the 2007 or 2008 NHL draft.

That deal was announced a few hours after the Panthers re-signed defenseman Bryan Allen to a five-year contract worth nearly $15 million.

The Panthers have the option of choosing which year they will take the pick acquired in the deal for Gratton, a former Flyer who had 13 goals and 22 assists this season for Florida.

Chelios to return. Chris Chelios is coming back to the Detroit Red Wings for another season of ageless defense.

After he filled in when younger players couldn't over the last two seasons, Detroit re-signed the 45-year-old Chelios to a one-year contract, bringing the three-time Norris Trophy winner back for his 24th NHL season and ninth with Detroit.

Chelios, who said the deal would pay him the same as last year's $850,000, can reach another milestone next spring. He needs to appear in just two more playoff appearances to surpass Patrick Roy for the most career postseason games in the NHL.

Sundin still a Leaf. Mats Sundin has agreed to a $5.5 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 36-year-old Swede, Toronto's captain, had 76 points (27 goals, 49 assists) in 75 games with the Leafs last season while earning $7.6 million.

New Buffalo deals. Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Regier have agreed to new contracts, allowing Buffalo to retain the architects of a team coming off consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearances.

The news doesn't come as a surprise after Regier said last week he expected both he and Ruff to be back for next season after both completed the final year of their contracts.

Buffalo is coming off a disappointing finish, failing to achieve its Stanley Cup goals. The top-seeded Sabres were eliminated by Ottawa in Game 5 of the East finals last month. It marked the second straight season they reached the conference finals and lost; they dropped Game 7 to eventual champion Carolina in 2006.

Turgeon expected to retire. Pierre Turgeon, the NHL's 27th all-time leading scorer, who played his final two seasons with the Avalanche, has decided to retire, the Denver Post reported. Sources close to the 37-year-old Turgeon said he would make an official announcement soon.