The National Hockey League's Board of Governors on Thursday approved the sale of the Nashville Predators to a group headed by Nashville businessman David Freeman.

Blackhawks forward Tuomo Ruutu was mistakenly arrested and detained briefly as a suspect in a robbery attempt in a Chicago suburb, according to authorities. He was released after indulging an officer's request for an autograph. Bensenville police arrested the 24-year-old Ruutu on Wednesday because he matched the description of a robbery suspect, said Bensenville Village Manager James Johnson.

Stu Grimson, a former player who has provided legal counsel for the NHLPA, left his position on Monday according to a report on TSN.com. The report stated that it was unclear whether Grimson resigned or was fired.

The proposed sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning to a group that includes former Florida Panthers' Coach Doug MacLean is off.

A local investor group trying to buy the Nashville Predators reached an agreement with city officials on changes to the team's arena lease. The investor group planned an announcement earlier this week amid reports that it had reached a deal after several weeks of negotiation. But it was canceled at the last minute when city officials said it wasn't final. This time, both sides confirmed the agreement.

A local investor group trying to buy the Nashville Predators canceled a Wednesday news conference after city officials denied they had reached an agreement on changes to the team's arena lease. Earlier in the day, the group said it was set to make an announcement after weeks of negotiations with city officials about changes the potential buyers say are necessary to complete the $193 million deal and keep the team in Nashville. "No agreement has been reached," said Janel Lacy, spokeswoman for mayor Karl Dean, who extended the final offer last week. "Only if and when an agreement has been reached will there be an announcement." "It is off," investors' spokesman Joe Hall wrote in an e-mail, without elaborating. Lacy said there is no timetable on the deal.

Islanders' owner Charles Wang and real estate partner Scott Rechler share a vision of turning the dilapidated old hockey barn known as Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum into the stylish anchor of a sports and entertainment complex at the heart of their Lighthouse Project development in Uniondale. If the approval process goes well, the Islanders could find themselves in a new ice palace as soon as November 2010. But if the plans they filed late yesterday with the Town of Hempstead meet opposition strong enough to kill the project, then the future of the four-time Stanley Cup champion franchise might be in jeopardy. Billionaire Wang has deep pockets and a commitment to Long Island, but after weathering losses of $15 million to $20 million each year since buying the team in 2000, even he has a limit to how long he can hold out if there's no Lighthouse at the end of the tunnel. "Everyone asks me that question," Wang said when asked recently if there is a point at which he would have to move or sell the team. "I've been here on Long Island for 55 years. I don't want to go anywhere else." "Yes, there is a point. But the last thing I want is for anything to be construed as a threat. If I wanted to, I could have made threats a long time ago. We've got to get it done. Lou Lamoriello got it done in New Jersey, and Bruce Ratner is getting it done in Brooklyn. We've never been this close before."

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and investors who are hoping to buy the Predators will announce a change in the club's arena lease, the Tennessean reported on its web site Wednesday. According to the report, the deal will be announced at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the Sommet Center.

STATEMENT FROM RANGERS' FORWARD SEAN AVERY "I am extremely upset and hurt that false and damaging comments were attributed to me regarding Jason Blake. I made no such comments. I have lost two grandfathers to cancer and have been a consistent contributor to multiple cancer related charities, first and foremost, Hockey Fights Cancer. I am unable to comment further, as the matter is now being addressed by legal counsel."

3Recently retired centre Eric Lindros was named ombudsman for the NHL Players' Association on Sunday. The newly created position, under the recently ratified NHLPA constitution, will have Lindros resolving any complaints by members and/or staff of the NHLPA, reporting directly to the executive board.