Tampa Bay left wing Dmitry Afanasenkov will be added to the Russian World Cup team, replacing an unnamed player, according to Lightning officials.
Afanasenkov, 24, had six goals and 10 assists and was a minus-4 while averaging 12:20 of ice time during his first full season in the NHL. He had three points in the playoffs in the Lightning's drive to win the Stanley Cup.
Afanasenkov joins Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis (Canada), Pavel Kubina (Czech Republic) and Fredrik Modin (Sweden) as Lightning participants in the World Cup. The tournament is Aug. 30-Sept. 14, with the final rounds in St. Paul, Minn., and Toronto.
Lightning goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin declined a spot on the Russian team, and some of his countrymen suggested they might do the same because of what they consider unacceptable preparations for the tourney.
NHL, PLAYERS MEET: Hoping to stave off the second lockout in 11 seasons, the NHL and the players' association will meet today to resume negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The current deal, extended twice since it was hammered out in 1995, expires Sept. 15. If an agreement isn't reached by then, a lockout that could threaten the season is expected to be imposed.
The sides have not met since May, when they got together in Tampa during the Stanley Cup finals. Labor talks began last October, with only two brief negotiating sessions since totaling about six hours.
BRUINS: Star wing Sergei Samsonov re-signed for one year at $3.65-million.
CAPITALS: Jeff Halpern re-signed to a one-year contract.
FLAMES: The team agreed to terms with Marcus Nilson.
OILERS: Michigan State forward and 2002 third-round draft pick Brock Radunske signed a three-year deal and will forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility. RANGERS: The team agreed to terms with free-agent defenseman Jason Strudwick.
WILD: Defenseman Alex Henry re-signed to a one-year deal.
COLLEGES
NCAA reforms recruiting
Under proposals designed to take the "celebrity" out of the recruiting race, colleges would no longer be able to fly recruits on private jets, house them in resort hotels or feed them extravagant meals.
The NCAA Management Council concluded a two-day meeting in Baltimore and will forward the recommendations to the organization's board of directors for emergency approval Aug.5.
The council also agreed to advance proposals focusing on recruiting, retaining and graduating Division I basketball players.
BASKETBALL: Glen Davis, LSU's high profile recruit, has cleared his academic hurdles and is eligible to play this season, coach John Brady said. ... Dan Peters left his job as Cincinnati's interim coach to become an assistant to Thad Mattaat Ohio State. Oscar Robertsonreplaces Peters until Bob Hugginsreturns from suspension Aug. 27.
FOOTBALL: Tennessee receive r James Banksremains suspended and will miss the season's first three games because he was cited for underage drinking and defying police orders to turn down his radio, coach Phillip Fulmersaid.
NASCAR: Drivers Tony Stewartand Larry Foyt crashed but were not hurt during testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for next month's Brickyard 400.
TENNIS: French Open finalist Elena Dementievadefeated qualifier Lilia Osterloh 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the JPMorgan Chase Open in Carson, Calif. Second-seeded Venus Williamsplayed Ashley Harkleroad in a night match.
