Penguins consider how to use salary-cap space

Penguins consider how to use salary-cap space

PITTSBURGH

After committing more than $160 million on new contracts for defenseman Kris Letang and forwards Evgeni Malkin and Pascal Dupuis and others, the Pittsburgh Penguins now have to decide whether to use their dwindling salary-cap space to keep their remaining free agents.

One day after the Penguins announced the deals for Letang (7 years, $58 million) and Dupuis (4 years, $15 million), coach Dan Bylsma appraised the chances of veteran forwards Matt Cooke and Craig Adams staying with Pittsburgh when free agency begins in earnest on Friday.

“At this point in time, we are close to the cap, and the cap has got to be watched pretty closely with what happens the next few days,” Bylsma said.

There could be no salary cap room for Cooke, Adams, Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow or defenseman Douglas Murray, all unrestricted free agents.

Coyotes on solid NHL ground after close vote

GLENDALE, Ariz.

The Phoenix Coyotes have spent the past four years living with the financial restraints of being run by the NHL, making the best of the limited resources before them. After Tuesday night’s 4-3 Glendale City Council vote in favor of an arena lease agreement with a prospective team owner, the Coyotes will finally be on even financial footing with the rest of the league.

Renaissance Sports and Entertainment, headed by George Gosbee, Anthony LeBlanc and Daryl Jones, reached an agreement to buy the team in May, a deal contingent upon reaching a lease agreement for Jobing.com Arena with the city of Glendale.

DA: Arrest warrant for 49er LB filed in error

SAN FRANCISCO

The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office erroneously filed an arrest warrant for 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks after allegations that he repeatedly hit a teammate on the head with a beer bottle, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

The district attorney’s office is still investigating the incident and will decide next week whether or not to bring charges, Assistant District Attorney Karyn Sinunu-Towery said. She said there is no outstanding arrest warrant.

Prosecutors sought the warrant last week to arrest Brooks on suspicion of committing felony assault with a deadly weapon. A judge signed it last Thursday, but the county district attorney’s office asked to have it put on hold the next day, Santa Clara Superior Court spokesman Joe Macaluso said.

Ginobili says he plans to remain with Spurs

SAN ANTONIO

Manu Ginobili is sticking around to see if the San Antonio Spurs can get back to the top. Ginobili tweeted Wednesday that he is staying with the team he has helped win three NBA titles and nearly a fourth last month.

Ginobili, who turns 36 this month, battled injuries during the season and said he would think about retirement after the playoffs. But he helped the Spurs come within 28 seconds of the championship before falling to the Miami Heat in seven games, and his return ensures the longtime Big Three that includes Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will be in place next season.

Details of the contract agreement weren’t available, but Ginobili figures to take a pay cut from the $14.1 million he made last season.

Rangers ink Ramirez to minor league deal

ARLINGTON, Texas

Manny Ramirez is apparently cutting his long dreadlocks for another shot at the major leagues. The Texas Rangers said Wednesday they had agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the 41-year-old slugger, who hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2011 with Tampa Bay.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said part of the deal was Ramirez, twice suspended for testing positive for banned drugs, agreeing to cut his hair and “comply with our minor league rules on appearance and discipline.”

Ramirez was set to report to Triple-A Round Rock today.

Associated Press