Hybrid icing will be in effect for the start of the NHL regular season after it was approved by the players, according to an ESPN.com report on Monday.

The NHLPA gave the go-ahead for the rule change that makes icing a race to an imaginary line across the faceoff dots instead of the puck, which was given a trial run during the preseason.

The goal is to prevent serious injuries, such as the one that sidelined Joni Pitlanen for the entire season.

Jannik Hansen and the Canucks have agreed to a four-year contract extension, according to an ESPN.com report.

The 27-year-old had 10 goals and 17 assists in 47 games for Vancouver last season.

The Maple Leafs have placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on waivers, according to an ESPn.com report

Liles's departure seemed certain after Cody Franson signed with Toronto. If he's not claimed by another NHL team, Liles could be assigned to the AHL's Marlies.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is out indefinitely with what coach Dan Bylsma described as a lower-body injury, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Ducks announced today that the club has acquired center Mathieu Perreault from the Capitals in exchange for left wing John Mitchell and a fourth-round selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Perreault, 25, has appeared in 159 career NHL games with Washington, scoring 70 points with a +17 rating and 70 penalty minutes.  

Mitchell, 27, collected 14 points with 48 PIM in 61 games with Norfolk of the AHL last season, setting a career high in goals. Signed as a free agent on May 3, 2012, Mitchell has appeared in 171 career AHL games, scoring 51 points with 135 PIM. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded centreman Joe Colborne to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Calgary’s own fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The pick can be upgraded to a third-round pick in 2014 if certain conditions are met in the upcoming season.

Colborne recorded three points (0g, 3a) in six preseason games with Toronto this month. He was obtained by the Maple Leafs from the Boston Bruins on February 18, 2011 and he appeared in 16 NHL regular season games plus two more in the postseason over parts of the past three seasons.

Vincent Viola has purchased the Florida Panthers for $250 million.

Viola is a native of Brooklyn and is a former chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

"I know the parties are working very hard on a transaction and they're going to try to consummate it as quickly as possible," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier this week.

Viola will replace Cliff Viner.

Phil Kessel has been suspended for the final three preseason games of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kessel slashed John Scott in the Leafs' brawl on Sunday with the Buffalo Sabres.

Kessel was ejected from the game, but he has a clean record and Scott wasn't injured.

Damien Brunner has signed a two-year deal with the New Jersey Devils.

Brunner played for the Detroit Red Wings last season.

Brunner gives the Devils an abundance of forwards in camp.

Ron Rolston has been fined an undisclosed amount after the NHL deemed him partially to blame for Sunday's brawl between the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Corey Tropp was injured in a fight with Jamie Devane.

John Scott initiated a line-brawl when he attempted to go after Toronto forward Phil Kessel before a faceoff. All 12 players, including both goalies, engaged in a series of fights thereafter.