Contract season for Perry, Getzlaf

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have ample motivation to do something remarkable in the Anaheim Ducks' shortened season.

While they attempt to improve on the Ducks' recent past, they're also playing with their futures in doubt.

Perry and Getzlaf will be unrestricted free agents this summer if they don't agree to new deals in Anaheim, their home for eight seasons as linemates and friends.

Anaheim general manager Bob Murray opened training camp by expressing his strong desire to re-sign Perry, the goal-scoring former NHL MVP, and Getzlaf, the Ducks' captain and top playmaker.

But both sides must make decisions before a deal is done. The Ducks must figure out how much they're willing to spend on two 27-year-old forwards with top-level talent and disappointing recent results.

General manager Dean Lombardi, whose philosophy of building through the draft and prizing character provided the foundation of the Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup championship last spring, has made a handshake agreement with the organization on a four-year contract extension through the 2016-17 season.

The deal, expected to be finalized within days, will be announced at the same time as a long-term agreement with coach Darryl Sutter.

Hockey is back, and so are droves of die-hard Buffalo Sabres fans. The Sabres announced that it took them one day to sell more than 31,000 of the remaining 80,000 tickets they had available for their 24 home games. It was apparent at the team's store, where fans stood in line for up to a half-hour to take advantage of the Sabres selling all of their merchandise - from $320 jerseys to toddler pajamas - at half price.

The Washington Capitals are back on the ice and adjusting to new coach Adam Oates virtually on the fly.

Washington opens the season Saturday at Tampa Bay, giving Oates just six practices and a scrimmage to install his system, which is a cross between Bruce Boudreau's up-tempo scheme and successor Dale Hunter's defensive-oriented game plan.

"I'm excited," Alex Ovechkin said of Oates' system. "Everybody involved so you can create."

The Dallas Stars traded defenseman Mark Fistric to the Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick in this year's draft. Fistric led Dallas defensemen with 235 hits last season.

- Associated Press