NHL union grieves over Kovalchuk

Associated Press

TORONTO

The National Hockey League Players’ Association filed a grievance over the league’s rejection of the contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils.

The league rejected the landmark 17-year, $102 million contract last week, saying the longest deal in league history violated its salary cap.

The union disputed that belief in its grievance Monday. It said that under the collective bargaining agreement, the union and Kovalchuk are entitled to an expedited resolution.

Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C.

The Carolina Hurricanes say there aren’t any updates in their search for a new minority partner.

General manager Jim Rutherford said Monday there’s no news on the plan of owner Peter Karmanos Jr. to find a new minority investor in the team.

Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

The Nashville Predators signed defenseman Ryan Parent to a two-year, $1.85 million contract.

The team announced the deal on Monday with the 23-year-old Parent, who was acquired from Philadelphia in June in exchange for Dan Hamhuis. He will make $850,000 in 2010-11 and $1 million in 2011-12.

Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

The Vancouver Canucks avoided arbitration with Mason Raymond by signing the forward to a two-year, $5.1 million contract.

Raymond set career highs with 25 goals and 53 points last season when he earned $760,000. He filed for arbitration and was on his way to a hearing in Toronto on Monday when the new deal was worked out.

Raymond will receive $2.5 million next season and $2.6 million in 2011-12.

Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz.

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed left winger Alexandre Picard to a one-year contract.

The 24-year-old Picard was acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 3 and sent to Phoenix’s San Antonio AHL affiliate, where he had nine goals and six assists in 16 games.