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Blackhawks sign ex-Jet Oduya to three-year deal

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 05/30/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

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Johnny Oduya

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a three-year contract extension with defenceman Johnny Oduya and a one-year extension for forward Jamal Mayers.

Mayers had six goals and nine assists in 81 regular-season games in his first year with the Blackhawks and also appeared in three playoff games when Chicago was ousted in the opening round by Phoenix.

Oduya had three assists in six playoff games and a goal and four assists in 18 regular-season games when he was a plus-three. Chicago acquired him in February from the Winnipeg Jets for draft choices.

General manager Stan Bowman said Oduya's play helped the Blackhawks finish strong in the regular season. And he added that Oduya, an unrestricted free agent, wanted to return to the Blackhawks.

"His style of hockey complemented our style and made our players better," Bowman said.

Bowman also said the team had talked with young star Patrick Kane about Internet photos of him partying in Madison, Wis., after this season ended.

"We discussed it with Patrick, we handled that internally," Bowman said. "We're obviously disappointed with how it played it out and Patrick's aware of that fact."

Three years ago, Kane was arrested in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., after an altercation with a cab driver.

Bowman also said he expects star forward Marian Hossa and defenceman Steve Montador , both of whom suffered concussions, to be ready by training camp in September.

HNIC rights up for grabs

TORONTO -- Most of the major Canadian TV networks are revealing their fall lineups this week, but speculation is already mounting over who might nab CBC's beloved Hockey Night in Canada when broadcast rights come up for grabs in two years.

Rogers Media president Keith Pelley hinted to the Globe and Mail on Tuesday morning that his network is interested in the iconic franchise.

"Sports is a major focus," Pelley told the newspaper. "Is 'Hockey Night' part of our plan? It's a little premature to talk about details, but we certainly have to take a look."

Pelley was not available for comment later in the day, despite repeated interview requests.

The rights to HNIC come up two years from now. With featured commentators including Ron MacLean and Don Cherry, the show is consistently at the top of the ratings.

Losing the rights would be a major body blow to the CBC, already struggling with devastating budget cuts that have slashed original programming hours.

But they could face competition from more than just Rogers Media.

Bell Media, which owns TSN, suggested it would be interested as well.

-- from the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 30, 2012 D4

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