Sharks over Sabres

Antti Niemi becomes the least-known goaltender to lead two teams to Cups, and Conn Smythe winner Logan Couture helps San Jose storm past the Sabres in five.

Use these photo galleries to see how this prediction came about:

NHL Eastern Conference preview | NHL Western Conference preview...

So said the Penguins' captain and star at a news conference in Pittsburgh today.

He was joined at the media gathering by the two doctors who have been treating and monitoring Crosby since he was sidelined with a concussion in January.

 "I see this as a manageable injury and we're making progress in Sid's case and I anticipate Sid returning to hockey and playing well in the...

The Predators defenseman asked for $8.5 million, while Nashville submitted a $4.85 million offer. Arbitrators have historically split the difference, but this time Weber won -- which isn't such a stretch, given that he made $4.5 million last season and led the Preds to their first-ever playoff series win.

What does this mean going forward? Well, Weber will still be a restricted free agent...

Following on the heels of Rangers president Glen Sather's statement urging Nassau County residents to vote yes on Monday's referendum, the other local team's hockey boss has weighed in as well.

Here is Lou Lamoriello's statement from earlier today:

"The New York Islanders are a proud organization with a championship history. Monday’s referendum vote on a new Nassau Coliseum...

The Rangers and Isles are rivals, of course, but the teams do gain by having such proximity, and that sentiment is not lost on the Rangers. GM Glen Sather issued this statement earlier today regarding the Monday vote on the $400 million proposal by Nassau County to provide funding for a new Coliseum:

"The rivalry that has existed between the Rangers and Islanders for almost 40 years is...

Miller, who de-committed to North Dakota to play for Plymouth in the Ontario Hockey League recently, signed his three-year, entry-level deal today.

The forward was the 15th overall pick and is trying his hardest to be ready for the pro game in 2012. That was the motivation behind the move to the OHL and now, he's signed and ready to make the leap contractually if he's ready.

 ...

Quick chat with the possible next Rangers captain tonight, a few hours after his three-year deal with the $4.27 million cap hit was signed.

Here's Callahan on the Rangers as contenders: "It’s been a bit of a process the last couple years, but the younger guys who aren’t so much younger anymore, like myself, like Dubi, like Staal, we know what it takes now. We’re not...

And now, the Rangers have completed their offseason additions by retaining Ryan Callahan, yet another of the core group of players who define this team.

The $4.275-million annual cap hit is a good deal for the Rangers, who still have roughly $800,000 of cap space. Wednesday's signing triggers a 48-hour buyout window, but indications are that the Rangers will not buy out Wojtek Wolski and his...

The veteran defenseman was a solid contributor as a third-pair player last season, when he was making $1.5 million with a $1.125-million cap hit. As first reported by The Post, Eminger's new one-year deal will pay him $800,000 to fill the same role.

John Tortorella liked what Eminger brought to the Rangers' young defense, and Eminger played over Matt Gilroy at times last season. Eminger...

A little housekeeping from yesterday:

-- Steven Stamkos signed back on with the Lightning yesterday, for $37.5 million over 5 years. Despite some Twittering to the contrary, there was never a doubt that Stamkos was going to sign in Tampa. Just as there is no doubt Drew Doughty will remain a King.

The offer-sheet system under the CBA has rarely been used -- six times in six summers, with...