National Hockey

When it constructed rules for the upcoming expansion draft, the NHL tried to ensure at least one thing: that the Vegas Golden Knights weren't immediately terrible. The list of available players to the Knights suggests that might be the case.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Understanding his days were numbered in Montreal, defenceman Nathan Beaulieu welcomed the trade that sent him to the Buffalo Sabres.

The salary cap is going up after all in the National Hockey League. The NHL and NHLPA announced an upper limit of US$75 million for the 2017-18 season — up from $73 million last season.

Mike Smith went from Arizona to Calgary and a couple of defencemen traded places as NHL teams made last-minute moves before the Vegas expansion draft roster freeze.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins hired Mike Buckley their new goaltending coach Saturday after Mike Bales left to take the same job with Carolina.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Anaheim Ducks centre Ryan Kesler has undergone hip surgery that will keep the Selke Trophy finalist away from full hockey activity for 12 weeks. The 32-year-old Kesler had surgery last week, the Ducks announced Saturday.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames acquired veteran goaltender Mike Smith from the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday for a conditional 2018 third-round pick, defensive prospect Brandon Hickey and the rights to unrestricted free agent goalie Chad Johnson.

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils have acquired defenceman Mirco Mueller from the San Jose Sharks. San Jose got a second-round pick, 49th overall, and a fourth-round pick, 123rd overall.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenceman Nathan Beaulieu from the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick. Buffalo sent the 68th overall pick in the 2017 draft to Montreal for the pending restricted free agent.

GLENDALE, Ariz.