NHL: Sept. 1, 2006

Marek Svatos, the Avalanche's promising youngster who scored 32 goals last season, is close to agreement on a new contract with the team. Agent Richard Evans said he is optimistic an agreement will be reached by the time Avalanche players report for physicals Sept. 14. -- Denver Post

Dmitri Kalinin's presence gives the Sabres six experienced players on the blue line and should allow prospect Nathan Paetsch to learn slowly as the seventh defenseman. -- Buffalo News

For three days later this month, only about a week before the season starts, the Penguins will participate in a custom-tailored program designed to promote team-building and leadership. The Flyers and Rangers have gone through the program. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Authorities are expected to investigate whether alcohol figured in a car crash in Slovakia that claimed the life of passenger Stefan Blaho, a 21-year-old Islander draftee. -- New York Post

Because Trevor Daley was a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights, the Stars were able to make only a $501,600 qualifying offer. Daley turned it down, risking an even lower counter offer. But he was rewarded with a significant increase and a multi-year deal. -- Dallas Morning News

The Hurricanes signed another contender Wednesday to help fill the slot of injured forward Cory Stillman, hoping that left wing Brad Isbister can recapture his scoring touch to fill the early-season void. -- Raleigh News & Observer

The Thrashers unveiled their cobalt blue third jersey in 2003, but now it has proved so popular that the team will wear it for all 41 home games in 2006-07. Gone is the " Atlanta Midnight Blue" and "Capitol Copper" jersey that the team most recently wore at home. The Thrashers will continue to wear their customary white jersey on the road. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

To say that contract negotiations between Nikolai Zherdev, a restricted free agent, and the Blue Jackets have ground to a halt would presume that the two sides have been negotiating. And they haven't, said Zherdev's Ottawa-based agent, Rolland Hedges. -- Columbus Dispatch

It's hard to fathom why Columbus general manager Doug MacLean became so budget-conscious just when he got to Nikolai Zherdev, unless he maxed out his credit card by giving money to everybody else. There was money for Rick Nash, David Vyborny, Manny Malhotra, Ron Hainsey, Jody Shelley and Rostislav Klesla, money for just about everybody but Zherdev and Dan Fritsche. -- Columbus Dispatch