Kings president Robitaille joins NHL Hour

According to NHL.com Los Angeles Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille will be the guest on Thursday's NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman. This program broadcasts live on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on NHL Home Ice and NHL.com.

Robitaille is the highest scoring left wing in NHL history and the all-time Kings leader in goals. He is in his third season as Kings' president now. Robitaille also will be honored by the Kings on Dec. 5 at STAPLES Center as part of the Kings-St. Louis game. The Kings will also give away a special commemorative Luc Robitaille/Hockey Hall of Fame festival to all fans on Dec.5.

National Hockey League reveals official Facebook page

The NHL has unveiled the official NHL fan page on Facebook now. The NHL's new presence on Facebook is part of the League's broader to make it convenient for fans to find and interact with NHL content, and have more control and flexibility over sharing NHL content with their friends. The NHL designed its Facebook page to be fun, interactive and viral. As a result, the NHL Facebook page features a variety of virtual gifts such as NHL jerseys; NHL video; NHL polls; feeds to the best NHL content on Twitter, message boards and leading blogs; links to NHL team Facebook pages and much more.

"The NHL's goal is to make sure that fan passion is served on all platforms," said Perry Cooper, NHL Senior Vice President, Digital Media and NHL Direct. "We have recognized that social networks are a pervasive part of consumer life, and the development of the NHL's Facebook page is an important part of our direct response to this trend."

Sidney Crosby will participate in Olympic Torch Relay

It is reported that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will carry the Olympic Torch in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay on Nov. 18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. "I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame in my home province of Nova Scotia," Crosby said. "The torch relay will pass through so many communities and hands on the way to Vancouver and I'm privileged to be part of that special group as the Olympic Flame makes its way to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games."

Crosby, originally from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, will be one of 12,000 torchbearers taking the Olympic Flame 45,000 kilometers across Canada. Crosby was selected because of his outstanding achievements in hockey and his passion for his home country. Now Crosby is ready to“take off” the Penguins jerseys and “put on” the Team Canada jersey.

New York Mets release Takahashi

The first player personnel since the end of their broken season is the removal of left-handed pitcher Ken Takahashi. He was released on Tuesday by Mets club.

Takahashi (in mets jersey) appeared in 28 games in the 2009 MLB season. He produced a new record in 27 1/3 innings. He had his unstable moments, but overall his performance was mostly unremarkable and excellent. He was more effective against right-handed batters than against lefties. He has appeared in 18 games for the Mets' Triple-A Buffalo affiliate, making seven starts.

Angels-Yankees game was the most-watched postseason game in 2009

According to Major League Baseball, Thursday's Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on FOX was the most-watched baseball game this postseason. The Angels' 7-6 win over the Yankees, which avoided elimination for the Halos and forced the series back to New York for a Game 6 on Saturday, were up to 49 percent over what MLB considered last year's "comparable game" -- Game 5 of last year's National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and Phillies on FOX. Overall audience since the final Sunday of the regular season is up to 18 percent over last year.

Including the game between the Tigers and Twins which settled the AL Central title, 12 of the 24 games have been decided by one run since the end of the regular season.

Blue Jackets sign Russell to a 3-year deal

General Manager Scott Howson announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed 22-year-old defenseman Kris Russell (in blue jackets jersey) to a three-year contract extension. Russell, who was taken by Columbus in the third round in the 2005 Entry Draft, has 4 goals and 28 assists for 32 points and 42 penalty minutes in 137 career games with the Blue Jackets. He got 28 penalty minutes in 66 games with Columbus Blue Jackets last season. His point total ranked third among club defensemen.

"Kris is an important player for us, not only in the present, but in the future," Howson said in a statement. "We believe he has just scratched the surface of his potential." He was a winner of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s defenseman of the year in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and won the Four Broncos Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year while leading the Tigers to the WHL championship in 2006-07.

Frolov will come back to Kings' lineup

On Monday Frolov (in kings jerseys) was a healthy scratch for the Kings game against the Dallas Stars. Two days earlier in the game against Columbus Blue Jackets, Frolov made a great fight which led to a Blue Jacket goal in the first period.

Frolov was back on the ice at practice with new linemates on Wednesday. Frolov practiced on the Kings second line with center Michal Handzus and right winger Dustin Brown. After the practice Murray said that Frolov was back in the lineup, and made sure to leave the door open for Frolov to wait for his returning.

Bettman hosts Lester Patrick Tribute on NHL Hour

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will host a tribute to Hockey Hall of Famer Lester Patrick on the NHL Hour. Bettman's guests will be two of Lester's grandsons, Dick Patrick, president of the Washington Capitals, and Craig Patrick, a former NHL player who was an assistant coach with the 1980 U.S. "Miracle on Ice" team and built the Pittsburgh Penguins' 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup championship teams.

Lester Patrick influenced hockey field and is regarded as one of the architects of the sport. He served as the first general manager and coach of the New York Rangers( rangers jerseys ), leading the team to two Stanley Cup championships. The Lester Patrick Trophy, awarded annually for service to hockey in the United States, will be presented on Oct. 21 to Hall of Fame center Mark Messier, New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter and Detroit Red Wings executive Jim Devellano.

Dodgers' McCourts are separating

It is reported that Dodgers( dodgers jerseys )chairman Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie, the club's chief executive officer, are separating. The couple married in 1979 and has four sons. "Frank McCourt and Jamie McCourt confirm that they are separated," the club said in a release. "This is a personal matter and they request that their privacy be respected. They will be making no public statements."

The team has reached the postseason in four of the six years the McCourts have owned the club and opens the NL Championship Series against the Phillies( phillies jerseys )on Thursday. Frank founded The McCourt Company, which develops commercial real estate projects. The company was moved from Boston to Los Angeles in 2006 and is now called The McCourt Group. The president of that company is the McCourts' son Drew. Jamie McCourt is a Baltimore native who was named vice chairman when the club was transferred from News Corp.

Predators' Wilson will make NHL debut

The Predators hit the ice for morning skate at the Sommet Center for the preparation of tonight's home game against the Edmonton Oliers( oliers jerseys ). After another strong skate, the 2008 first round pick is going to lace up the skates for his first NHL game. After having working through a groin injury in the preseason, the 19-year old is very eager to join his team once again. "I'm excited. I think it will be nice to get back out there on the ice especially for a game," Wilson said after morning skate.

The coaches indicated that Wilson may open the game centering Joel Ward and Ryan Jones, but the combinations may change throughout the game.

Hall of Fame wants Kouzmanoff's glove

A day after the Padres' third baseman set a single-season record for National League third basemen with a .990 fielding percentage, the National Baseball Hall of Fame asked Kouzmanoff if he would donate a glove that he used during the season. "I have to pick the glove. They aren't getting my gamer!"Kouzmanoff replied.

Kouzmanoff committed only three errors in 311 total chances at third base this year, breaking the old record which was set by Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla in 2004.

Coyotes' home opener is sold out

Team President and Chief Operating Officer Douglas Moss announced Thursday that the team's home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night is sold out. "The fan response to the 'Welcome Back WhiteOut' offer has been tremendous and we'd like to thank everyone for their support," Moss said. The Coyotes are holding a "Welcome Back WhiteOut" during the home opener to celebrate the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

The Coyotes spent most of the summer in bankruptcy court before Judge Redfield T. Baum did not allow either the NHL or Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie to buy the team.

Duensing will be in the bullpen

The Twins have now officially gone to a three-man starting rotation, as manager Ron Gardenhire said on Saturday that left-hander Brian Duensing will be in the bullpen for Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Duensing started Game 1 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium, having five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings, but Minnesota will turn to Scott Baker for Game 4 and Nick Blackburn for Game 5.

The Twins originally wanted to go with a three-man starting staff for the ALDS, but Baker has to start game No. 163 on Tuesday night against the Tigers. Duensing would likely be the first arm that Minnesota turns to in Sunday's Game 3, if starter Carl Pavano has any trouble.

Flyers sign Betts to a one-year contract

The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Blair Betts to a one-year contract. In addition, the Flyers promoted goalie Michael Teslak and defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms. "I'm relieved," Betts said. "Throughout training camp I was pretty confident that something was going to happen. I would have rather it happened sooner than later, but nonetheless I think we made the right decision to come here."

Betts was invited to Flyers training camp after scoring 6 goals and 4 assists and 16 penalty minutes in 81 games with the New York Rangers in 2008-09. He spent a total of four seasons with the Rangers, scoring 25 goals and 15 assists in 304 regular-season games. Over parts of seven seasons with the Calgary Flames and Rangers, Betts has 28 goals and 20 assists and is considered an excellent defensive forward.

Price of Mets' tickets will be cut

The price of all 2010 season tickets for Citi Field is being cut by the Mets, and there will not be an increase in the price of any ticket. According to the club, the average price for full-season ticket packages will drop 10 percent. For certain areas, the decrease will be more than 20 percent. The least-expensive single-game ticket will remain at $11. The policy is meant to reflect fans' situations at the widespread economic downturn.

The Mets' executive vice president for business operations Dave Howard said that the club is sensitive to the economic realities facing our fans. "We've lowered our ticket prices in response to these challenging conditions," Howard added. "This move underscores our appreciation of our fans' ongoing loyalty and support. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and value to our customers at Citi Field in 2010."

Devils removed Ilkka Pikkarainen

New Jersey Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello removed right wing Ilkka Pikkarainen from injured reserve today. He will be making his first NHL start against the Atlantic Division rival New York Rangers on Monday at 7 p.m. In order to make room for Pikkarainen, Brendan Shanahan, who has parted with the Devils last week, was moved to the team's non-roster list.

Pikkarainen was drafted in the seventh round in 2002 and played three seasons with the Devils' American Hockey League affiliate. He then returned to Finland and over the next three seasons before returning to the Devils he averaged 16 goals, 30 points and 129 penalty minutes.

Bronson Arroyo decides to have surgery

The Reds right-hander told The Associated Press on Sunday that Bronson Arroyo has decided against right wrist surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome this offseason. Arroyo has been bothered by the condition for several years, now he feels he can do without going under the surgery.

In 2009, Arroyo led the Reds in 15 wins while pitching a team-high 220 1/3 innings. After his wrist broken during Spring Training, he gave up playing the guitar during the season. He has made $9.5 million this season, and has one guaranteed year left at $11 million next season, thus he could become a free agent sooner or later.

San Jose Sharks sign center Manny Malhotra

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced that the team has signed center Manny Malhotra to a one-year contract. Malhotra recently finished his 12th NHL season, posting a career-high 35 points.

Malhotra finished second in the NHL face-offs in 2007-08 and 12th in 2006-07. In 634 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Dallas and Columbus, he has collected 197 points and 344 penalty minutes.