Brophy on Leafs: Night of mixed emotions

While one Maple Leaf is thrilled to be back, Clarke MacArthur isn’t so happy to be on the sidelines. For Matthew Lombardi, it wasn’t exactly a game for the ages. Not one he’ll likely recall two months from now; never mind after he hangs ‘em up.

After nearly a year on the sidelines, the 29-year-old Montreal native felt good to get back into a game…to hit…to get hit…and everything else that goes with playing in the National Hockey League. “Obviously it’s a big weight off my shoulders,”

Leafs’ Kadri expected to miss up to 4 weeks

Caps sign Chimera to 2-year extension

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals signed left-winger Jason Chimera to a two-year, US$3.5-million contract extension Thursday. Chimera will earn $1.8 million next season and $1.7 million in 2013-14.

The 32-year-old forward had 10 goals, 16 assists and 64 penalty minutes in 81 games with the Capitals last season. He also scored two game-winning goals in the first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers. “He’s an older guy, but the one thing

Canucks believe they’ll be better in 2011-12

THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER — Defeat can be a cruel teacher. The Vancouver Canucks believe losing Game 7 of last year’s Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins taught them some valuable lessons that will help them this NHL season. “The experience makes you stronger,” said defenceman Kevin Bieksa.

“It makes you better, it makes you mentally stronger. “I think we have the major pieces all back. We are all better because of last year. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be better

Spector on Shanahan: Video hits

Brendan Shanahan’s video explanations are getting a lot of attention from NHL players. “I’m Brendan Shanahan, the National Hockey League’s Senior Vice President of Player Safety.” By the now you’ve seen his work, which falls somewhere between a public service announcement for the War Amps, and cutting edge protocol that sets the NHL apart from every other major sports league on this continent. But Shanahan didn’t get into this to become a Youtube sensation, like Linus Omark or that Indonesian baby

Grange column: MLSE sale stuck in neutral

With a willing seller, huge profits and plenty of prestige, why hasn’t MLSE been sold yet? TORONTO — It makes huge profits, carries all kinds of prestige and only comes for sale every other generation or so. Then why is MLSE, the umbrella company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, the Air Canada Centre and various other sports, broadcast and real estate holdings, still on the market?

The business – valued at as much as $2.1 billion and a cash cow

Flyers to play Rangers in Winter Classic

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHILADELPHIA — Not even a joint announcement of the Winter Classic could thaw the rivalry between the Rangers and Flyers. Hope the “24/7″ cameras were rolling. New York team president Glen Sather grabbed the microphone and made his bid to host the next Comedy Central roast.

“We’re going to come to Philadelphia,” Sather said, “and we are going to win.” The 200 Flyers fans who came to baseball’s Citizens Bank Park for the long-awaited and overdue announcement

Canadiens sign defenceman Campoli

THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have signed free-agent defenceman Chris Campoli to a US$1.75-million, one-year contract. The 27-year-old became a free agent after he failed to agree on a new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Campoli was traded by the Ottawa Senators to Chicago in February.

He had four goals and 17 assists in 77 games last season. In 397 career NHL games, the Toronto native has 33 goals and 102 assists. The signing raises questions about

Pens’ Crosby plays in controlled scrimmage

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby participated in a controlled scrimmage on Sunday as he continues his comeback from concussion-like symptoms that have kept him off the ice since January. Crosby took face-offs and worked on set plays alongside his teammates in his first five-on-five action since training camp opened last weekend. The former MVP says he has been symptom free throughout camp but continues to wear a white helmet during practice to indicate he

Shelley handed 10 games for hit on Boyce

BY SPORTSNET STAFF sportsnet.ca The NHL has handed Philadelphia Flyers forward Jody Shelley a 10-game suspension for his hit from behind on Darryl Boyce of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos first reported the discipline, which will have Shelley sit the remainder of the pre-season and five regular-season games. He was also fined $67,073.15 in salary.

It was the second instance during this pre-season that the NHL has enforced disciplinary action; Calgary Flames forward