National Hockey League roundup

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[July 25, 2015]  July 24 (The Sports Xchange) - The Glendale City Council voted unanimously Friday to end their six-week legal dispute with the Arizona Coyotes in a move that will keep the team playing at Gila River Arena.

The council voted 7-0 to rescind its decision on June 10 to cancel an arena management contract with the Coyotes and to enact an amended two-year deal with the team.

The city and Coyotes have been fighting over the 15-year, $225 million lease for Gila River Arena since the council voted last month to terminate the agreement. The Coyotes then obtained a restraining order to keep the city from dissolving the agreement. A hearing had been scheduled for July 31.

According to the revised agreement, the city's arena management fee to the team would drop from $15 million a year to $6.5 million, and the team would keep all revenue from ticket surcharges, parking and naming rights.

The contract expires in 2017, which has raised questions about the Coyotes' long-term plans.

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The Montreal Canadiens agreed to terms with free agent forward Alexander Semin on a one-year contract.

The deal is worth $1.1 million, according to ESPN.com. Semin, who signed a five-year, $35 million deal during the lockout-shortened 2013 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, was bought out earlier this month. He is owed $14 million -- two-thirds of the amount remaining on his contract -- over six years.

He had three years left on a deal that paid him $7 million annually.

Semin, 31, played 57 games with Carolina in 2014-15, recording 19 points (six goals, 13 assists).

The Canadiens also agreed to terms on a three-year, entry level contract with forward Daniel Audette.

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Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke resigned to become chief operating officer of the NFL.

Lightning chairman and governor Jeff Vinik said team president Steve Griggs has been named the organization's chief executive officer. Vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman will continue to report to Vinik on all hockey operations matters.

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The New Jersey Devils hired Tom Fitzgerald as assistant general manager.

Fitzgerald, 46, retired as an NHL player following the 2005-06 season. He was assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins before joining the Devils.

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The Washington Capitals re-signed goaltender Braden Holtby to a five-year, $30.5 million contract extension.

Holtby set career highs in wins (41), shutouts (nine), games played (73) goals-against average (2.22), save percentage (.923) and recorded a franchise-record 1,887 saves in 2014-15. He tied a franchise record in wins, shutouts and games played.

The Capitals also signed defenseman Ryan Stanton to a one-year, two-way contract.

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The Nashville Predators signed 2014 second-round selection Jack Dougherty to a three-year entry-level contract.

The 6-foot-1, 186-pound defenseman is expected to play his first season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League in 2015-16.

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The Calgary Flames signed forwards Josh Jooris and Turner Elson to one-year contracts.

Jooris played 60 games for Calgary in 2014-15, recording 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists). Elson spent last season with the Adirondack Flames of the AHL, tallying 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 59 games. (Editing by Gene Cherry)
 

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