NHL | Is Sutter readying for Devils' job?

Brent Sutter resigned yesterday as coach and general manager of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels - a team he owns - amid speculation he will be named coach of the New Jersey Devils.

Sutter, who turned over the Rebels' coaching duties to older brother Brian, would not comment. He will retain ownership of the Rebels, whom he bought in 1999.

New Jersey is the only NHL team still without a head coach. The job has been vacant since Claude Julien was fired with three games remaining in the regular season.

Oilers. All-star defenseman Sheldon Souray agreed to a five-year deal with Edmonton, which recently had failed in attempts to sign forwards Michael Nylander and Thomas Vanek.

An Alberta native who spent the last six seasons with Montreal, Souray posted career highs of 26 goals and 64 points last season. He led NHL defensemen in goals and game-winners (six).

Financial terms were not immediately released.

Penguins. Pittsburgh capped a busy week with three more re-signings: Right winger Colby Armstrong and centers Nathan Smith and Chris Minard signed two-year contracts.

The 24-year-old Armstrong had 34 points and 67 penalty minutes in 80 games last season.

Earlier in the week, the Pens signed Sidney Crosby, the league MVP and scoring champion, to a five-year extension through the 2012-13 season worth $43.5 million.

Stars. Dallas re-signed centers Mike Ribeiro and Joel Lundqvist.

Ribeiro, who led the Stars in scoring in his first season with the club, signed a one-year contract worth $2.8 million. Lundqvist signed a two-year contract worth $1.45 million - $700,000 this season and $750,000 for 2008-09.

Ribeiro, 27, had 18 goals and 41 assists in 81 games.

Coyotes. Phoenix signed center Peter Mueller, the team's top draft pick of 2006, to an entry-level contract. Mueller, 19, got a three-year deal for $850,000 per season.