EDMONTON - The on-again-off-again deal to build a new rink for the Edmonton Oilers is on — again. City councillors and the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to split the cost of the final missing $30 million needed to green light the wavy-shaped steel and glass structure in the city's downtown in time for the 2016-17 NHL season. Construction is slated to start in the spring of 2014. The city plans to pay off some of its debt through increased tax revenues from shops and businesses expected to spring up around the arena.

The Colorado Avalanche, who finished with the second-worst record in the National Hockey League this season, will pick first in June's NHL Draft after winning the top spot in a lottery Monday night. The Avalanche had the second-best chance of claiming the top pick at 18.8 percent but came through to the disappointment of Florida, which had the best chance at the top pick, 1-in-4 odds, but must settle for the second selection.

Slovakian star Marian Gaborik, who has scored 40 goals in three different NHL seasons, was traded from the New York Rangers to the Columbus Blue Jackets just prior to Wednesday's trading deadline. The Gaborik trade was the most significant of 17 involving 30 players on a Wednesday that was also noteworthy because of anticipated deals involving goaltenders that didn't get done. The Vancouver Canucks failed to trade disgruntled goaltender Roberto Luongo and Calgary was reportedly unable to deal all-star Finnish netminder Mikka Kiprusoff, who wants to retire as a Flame.

The Chicago Blackhawks' record point streak to start the National Hockey League season ended after 24 games as they suffered a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. Colorado's Matt Duchene scored one goal and set up three others to spark the Avalanche, who scored four unanswered goals on only nine shots in the second period to break a 1-1 deadlock and seize command.