Ryan Miller and Steve Ott are going from the NHL's worst team to a bona fide Stanley Cup contender after being traded by the Sabres to the Central Division-leading Blues in a five-player, two-draft-pick deal Friday night.

"It's definitely humbling and flattering that they would make that kind of move and bring us in with the intention of giving them some help to push for a Stanley Cup," Miller said.

The Rangers and defenseman Dan Girardi agreed to a contract extension late Friday afternoon that will keep him in New York.

According to multiple sources, the six-year deal is worth $33M with an annual average value of $5.5M, though the yearly salary breakdown is still being finalized. 

Recovering from a stroke, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang said his doctors have reassured him that he'll play hockey again.

Letang spoke to the media before the Penguins faced the Canadiens on Thursday night, the first time he has spoken to reporters since having the stroke on a West Coast trip before the Olympic break.

"I'm targeting it day by day," Letang said. "I'm trying to improve every day I come here. I try to exercise the best I can. I see doctors pretty much every week, twice a week to get better. So we'll go from there."

The Blackhawks acquired defenseman Brian Connelly from the Wild in exchange for forward Brad Winchester on Wednesday.

Connelly, 27, had five goals and 27 assists for the Iowa Wild of the AHL this season. 

The Avalanche announced today that the team has signed forward Marc-Andre Cliche to a two-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season.

Cliche was claimed off waivers from the Kings prior to the season on Sept. 22, 2013.  He has skated in 53 games for Colorado this year, tallying six points.  He leads all Avalanche forwards in short-handed ice time at 2:35 per game.

“Marc-Andre has been a solid addition to our hockey club,” said Avalanche Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic.  “He has done a tremendous job on the penalty kill, has a great work ethic and we’re excited to have him under contract for the next two years.” 

Sabres GM Tim Murray continues to pursue offers for goalie Ryan Miller with the intention of dealing him before the March 5 trade deadline, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Monday.

Jonathan Toews scored in the first period, Carey Price made 24 saves in his second consecutive shutout, and Canada defended its Olympic men's hockey title with a 3-0 win over Sweden, according to an ESPN.com report on Sunday.

Teemu Selanne scored two goals and Tuukka Rask had a 27-save shutout, helping Finland rout the United States 5-0 Saturday to win hockey bronze at the Sochi Olympic Games, according to an ESPN.com report.

Jamie Benn scored in the second period, Carey Price made 31 saves, and Canada beat the United States 1-0 Friday night in the semifinals of the Olympic men's hockey tournament.

Canada advanced to the gold-medal match Sunday against Sweden, which beat Finland 2-1 in the earlier semifinal.

Islanders GM Garth Snow is not happy he lost his best player to a season-ending injury suffered in the Olympics.

John Tavares suffered tears to the MCL and meniscus in his left knee during Canada's quarterfinal win Wednesday and will miss the rest of the NHL season.

Snow said it's a "joke" that the IIHF and IOC can use NHL players without reimbursing the clubs when players are hurt.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has declined to commit the league's players to the next Olympics in 2018, and Tavares' injury provides a talking point for those who want professional players out of the Olympics.