Just when it looked as if the Washington Capitals were struggling on defense, reinforcements are either on the way or already here.
Running back LaMichael James injured his right arm early in the fourth quarter of No. 9 Oregon's game against California on Thursday night.
Anaheim forward Jean-Francois Jacques will miss the rest of the preseason and the Ducks' first five regular-season games after being suspended by the NHL for leaving the bench on a legal line change to start a fight with Vancouver's Mike Duco.
The New Jersey Devils will raise defenseman Scott Niedermayer's No. 27 to the rafters on Dec. 16.
Oregon soothed the wounds of a season-opening loss to LSU with scoring outbursts against inferior foes, just the tonic to restore confidence in its strike-from-anywhere offense. The 10th-ranked Ducks haven't lost a conference game in two years, and they are heavily favored to keep it that way Saturday night at Arizona.
Oregon has received formal notice of the NCAA investigation into its program's use of recruiting services.
What happened to Steve Francis? It depends on who you ask.
Chip Kelly had several months to prepare for the questions he finally faced at Pac-12 media day. The Oregon coach claimed he's eager to explain every aspect of the Ducks' dealings with a Texas-based recruiting service.
The Blue Jackets, after failing to make the postseason for the 10th time in 11 seasons, had every intention of being a serious player this offseason.
