Melnyk fires back at Balsillie barbs

OTTAWA — Jim Balsillie continues to draw the ire of NHL stakeholders.

The latest to speak out against the co-CEO of Research in Motion is Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

In a lengthy statement released Thursday, Melnyk addressed recent court filings from Balsillie which called his integrity into question and openly opposed the BlackBerry billionaire’s desire to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

“I clearly believe the sport of

Wild find a back-up in Dubielewicz

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have signed veteran goaltender Wade Dubielewicz to add depth behind all-star Niklas Backstrom.

The move gives the Wild a third goaltender on the roster and more stability should they decide to trade backup Josh Harding, who had a 2.21 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage last season. The Wild signed Backstrom to an extension that will make him the No. 1 goaltender for the next four years.

Sweep sends Pens back to Cup final

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Sidney Crosby saved his most daring move for after the game: He spurned hockey superstition and hoisted the Prince of Wales Trophy.

If he keeps playing like this, it might not be the only prize the Pittsburgh Penguins’ young captain raises.

The Penguins are headed back to the Stanley Cup finals, clinching a return trip with a 4-1 rout of the Carolina Hurricanes

Weight back for one more with Isles

In his first season with the Islanders, Weight is third on the team in scoring with nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points despite missing 29 games due to injury. Weight originally signed with the Islanders as an unrestricted free agent on July 2, 2008. The contract runs through the 2009-10 season.

“Long Island has been a wonderful place for me and my family,” Weight said in a statement. “It was an easy decision to come back for another

Wilson back behind bench for USA

Ron Wilson is headed back behind the bench with the U.S. men’s hockey team. USA Hockey will name Wilson its coach for this year’s World Championships and the Olympics in 2010 on Monday, sources told Sportsnet.

But the Toronto Maple Leafs coach, who was also behind the bench at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, remained mum Friday morning when asked about the prospect of returning to the Games.

“If I am named, it would be a tremendous

Pogge back down, Frogren back up

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday that defenceman Jonas Frogren has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). Also, goaltender Justin Pogge has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies.

Pogge received his third career NHL start Wednesday night, losing to the Buffalo Sabres 5-0. The Leafs were out shot 32-16, and head coach Ron Wilson said Pogge played better than the result indicated.

Sens to split duties in back-to-back

Brian Elliott will make his seventh consecutive start in goal when the Ottawa Senators travel to St. Louis on Thursday to open up a three-game road swing.

Head coach Craig Hartsburg also confirmed that Alex Auld will make the start on Friday night when the Senators take on the Blue Jackets in Columbus.

Elliott is coming off a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, stopping 23 shots in the game. The Newmarket, Ontario

Brewer has surgery to repair back

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Blues defenceman Eric Brewer had surgery Friday to repair a herniated disk in his back, the latest blow to a team ravaged by injuries.

Brewer will be sidelined indefinitely, but coach Andy Murray expects the 29-year-old defenceman to be back on the ice sometime this season.

“We don’t have an exact time frame,” Murray said. “He’s certainly one of our best players. There’s nothing we can do about

Players back Hockey Canada in logo flap

TORONTO — While officials debate what jersey Team Canada will wear at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, it’s clear that player loyalty to the Hockey Canada Maple Leaf logo in question runs deep.

“Simply put, a lot of us wore that jersey, wore that logo — we won a gold medal in that jersey,” said Steve Yzerman, executive director of the 2010 men’s team. “It does have some special significance to us.”

“It signifies

Sakic sits out Wild-Avs with back injury

DENVER — Colorado captain Joe Sakic missed the Avalanche’s game Thursday night against Minnesota because of a strained lower back.

The 39-year-old Sakic, injured during practice Wednesday, took part in the morning skate Thursday but left the ice early. He’s listed as day-to-day and will be evaluated before Colorado’s game Saturday against Nashville.

Sakic, eighth on the NHL’s career scoring list with 1,641 points,