Khabibulin Traded by Coyotes to Lightning

The Phoenix Coyotes traded holdout goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night in exchange for three players and a draft choice.

Khabibulin, who last played in the NHL nearly two years ago, was sent to the Lightning along with defenseman Stan Neckar for defenseman Paul Mara, forwards Mike Johnson and Ruslan Zaimullin and a second-round draft choice.

Khabibulin had refused to sign with the Coyotes in a contract dispute that has kept him out of the NHL since the 1999 playoffs. He played in the International Hockey League last season, but stayed in shape this year through workouts.

The 28-year-old Russian reportedly insisted that he must receive his full salary for this season, which only has a handful of games left. But whether he would get it was unclear.

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Philadelphia 6, Boston 4--Mark Recchi scored two goals at Philadelphia, including the winner on a power play with 3:17 to play, to help the Flyers move into first place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils.

New York Islanders 5, New York Rangers 2--Jason Blake had a goal and an assist and Mariusz Czerkawski had a goal and two assists for the Islanders at New York.

Around the League

The St. Louis Blues acquired veteran defenseman Alexei Gusarov from the New York Rangers in exchange for rookie defenseman Peter Smrek. . . . Donald Brashear of the Vancouver Canucks will face trial Nov. 5 in Vancouver, Canada, on charges he assaulted a man in the fitness room of his townhouse. . . . Claude Lemieux of the Phoenix Coyotes is sidelined indefinitely and might not return in time for the playoffs, Coach Bob Francis said. . . . The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman Glen Wesley on injured reserve because of a broken jaw and a severe facial cut suffered Sunday in a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.