National Hockey

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators lost a key piece of its front office on the opening day of NHL free agency. Retired captain Daniel Alfredsson announced Saturday he was leaving his role as the Senators' senior adviser of hockey operations.

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to have found answers to a few off-season needs on the first day of NHL free agency.

NHL general managers usually make their own fireworks on Canada Day with wild long-term contracts. But not this time.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames signed left-winger Marek Hrivik to a one-year, two-way contract on Saturday and traded goaltender Tom McCollum to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

MONTREAL — Karl Alzner says joining the Montreal Canadiens gives him a better chance to win a Stanley Cup than he had with the Capitals in Washington. He was thrilled to sign a US$23.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have three new defencemen , three new forwards and a new goalie, too.

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings didn't make the playoffs this year for the first time since 1990 for many reasons. Lacklustre defence might have topped the list.

The Latest on the first day of NHL free agency (all times ET): 3:50 p.m. Daniel Alfredsson is stepping down as Ottawa Senators senior adviser of hockey operations, saying he has decided to take a break from the game and evaluate what's next.

NEW YORK — The Rangers have agreed to deals with defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk and goalie Ondrej Pavelec on the opening day of free agency.

CHICAGO — Patrick Sharp figured he would return to Chicago. He just wasn't sure he would play for the Blackhawks again.