Senators Extend Contract of Mlakar Through 2002

The Ottawa Senators rewarded Roy Mlakar, president and chief executive, with a three-year contract extension through the 2001-02 season.

Under Mlakar, a former King executive who had one year remaining on his current agreement, the Senators have made the playoffs the last two seasons, defeating the top-seeded New Jersey Devils in the first round last season.

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The Washington Capitals traded for New York Islander left wing Tom Chorske and signed restricted free agent Sergei Gonchar, a defenseman.

Chorske, who has 114 goals and 115 assists with Montreal, New Jersey and Ottawa, was acquired along with the Islanders’ eighth-round draft pick in 1999 for the Capitals’ sixth-round selection next year.

Gonchar signed a two-year contract worth $3.3 million.

Left wing Chris Simon, suspended after a disagreement on the bench with Coach Ron Wilson during Tuesday’s night game against Detroit, is expected to return today.

The Capitals need healthy bodies because of injuries to forwards Steve Konowalchuk (ankle), Michal Pivonka (shoulder) and Jan Bulis (ankle). In addition, center Andrei Nikolishin is still an unsigned free agent and left wing Craig Berube has been away attending a funeral, all of which forced defenseman Ken Klee to practice as a forward for two days this week.

On Thursday, the Capitals obtained much-traveled center James Black from the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations.

“We were pretty close to having all our healthy guys out there,” General Manager George McPhee said. “And that’s a little too close.”

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Vladimir Konstantinov took part in the ceremony honoring the Detroit Red Wings’ ninth Stanley Cup before a 4-1 victory over St. Louis at Joe Louis Arena.

It was a special moment for Konstantinov, who was on the ice with his teammates enjoying what he missed a year ago because of brain stem injuries suffered in a limousine crash six days after the Red Wings had clinched their first Cup in 42 years.

Team masseur Sergei Mnatsakonov, left partially paralyzed in the same crash, also was on hand for the ceremonies. The Red Wings had both of their names engraved on the Cup as part of the 1997-98 team.