his past few starts

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Phoenix Coyotes have locked up their top off-season priority, signing goalie Mike Smith to a six-year deal that averages around $5.7 million per season. Smith and the Coyotes agreed to the deal over the weekend and received approval of the contract from the NHL on Monday. The 31-year-old Smith had mostly been a backup before leading the Coyotes to the Western Conference finals for the first time in 2011-12, his first season as Phoenixs No. 1 goalie. Smith was about to become a free agent and had been waiting for clarity on the Coyotes ownership situation before signing. The City of Glendale is set to vote on a lease agreement with Renaissance Sports & Entertainment on Tuesday, the last major hurdle in the groups attempt to buy the franchise from the NHL. "We are pleased to sign Mike to a multi-year contract," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said in a statement. "Mike has emerged as a top NHL goaltender with his size, athletic ability and strong work ethic. He is capable of leading us to a Stanley Cup championship, the goal of our franchise. This is an important signing for our Club." Smith signed with Phoenix in 2011 after spending the previous six seasons with Dallas and Tampa Bay. He was stellar in his first true shot at being a No. 1 goalie, winning 38 games with a 2.21 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and a franchise-record-tying eight shutouts. The Coyotes won their first division title in 33 years as an NHL franchise and went to the conference finals for the first time that season. Smith wasnt quite as good in the final year of his contract, going 15-12-5 with a 2.58 goals-against average and a save percentage of .910 while fighting injuries during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. The Coyotes finished four points out of the Wests final playoff spot. He is 53-30-15 with a .924 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA in two seasons in Phoenix. His 13 career shutouts are fifth all-time in franchise history. Smith likely would have been one of the top goalies in the free agency market, but said his preference was to stay in Phoenix as long as there was clarity in the teams ownership. The NHL has agreed to sell the franchise to RSE, but the deal is contingent upon the group working out a lease agreement with Glendale for Jobing.com Arena. Tuesdays vote is still in doubt, leaving open the possibility that the franchise could be relocated -- the NHL has indicated that would be the likely next option -- but Smith decided to sign anyway. "Im thrilled to re-sign with the Coyotes," Smith said. "We have a great young team and an excellent coaching staff and management team. Ive really enjoyed playing in the Valley the past two seasons and this is where I wanted to stay." Even as the four-year ownership saga laboured on, the Coyotes have shown signs of stability over the past few weeks, signing Maloney, assistant GM Brad Treliving, coach Dave Tippett and his assistants in recent weeks. Phoenix also signed captain Shane Doan before the 2012-13 season and locked up young defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a long-term deal in March. Cheap NHL Jerseys . -- Justin Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, leading Detroit over the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Sunday and extending the Tigers winning streak to a season-high five games. Wholesale NHL Jerseys .ca! Hi Kerry, Im sure youve received many emails wondering what your take is on the Spezza goal that looked like Neil blatantly kicked it in while standing directly in the middle of the crease where, you know, usually a goalie is to make a save but couldnt be due to Neil being there! Thanks! Jon - Westfield, MA Jon: Lets first ask Henrik Lundqvist what he thought of the scoring of the Sens second goal with . https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/. However, Therrien added that Galchenyuks status for next Wednesdays game against the Detroit Red Wings is questionable. 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He is a contrarian to be sure. For that reason, it would surprise no one if he were to show up on the 10th tee at Valhalla at 8:35am on Thursday morning. Despite being driven off the course at Firestone after jarring his recently repaired back, Woods is apparently still hoping to play the last major of the year. At least, so far he hasnt said he isnt playing. At this point, all we know about the situation is what we dont know. We dont know how severely he hurt his back. We dont know if hes able to swing a club and practice. And we most certainly dont know when we will be hearing his decision. According to a text message sent to ESPN.coms Bob Harig by agent Mark Steinberg, there is no timetable for deciding. It might happen in the next hour or it might not happen until 8:34am on Thursday. Those who know Tiger say he loves to be the contrarian, loves to prove the doubters wrong. Many think he cant make the FedEx Cup playoffs, where he sits 217th, but Tiger likely thinks thats still possible. Same for the Ryder Cup, even though captain Tom Watson said the latest injury doesnt bode well forr making Woods a pick.dddddddddddd If Woods misses the PGA at Valhalla, where he won the title back in 2000 in a memorable playoff over Bob May, it will mark the seventh time injuries have forced him to the sidelines in a major since he last captured one back in 2008. Some have pointed to the recovery time taken by Graham DeLaet who sat out the better part of an entire season following similar surgery to Woods. While no two operations or patients are the same, its interesting to note that DeLaet went under the knife in January and made his return to play in June. He teed it up three times before shutting things down again. He played one further event, a Web.com Tour stop in September and then didnt reappear until January. The Canadian felt that more time on the sidelines would benefit his long-term career. So far, thats been the case. He plays almost pain-free although does experience a little twinge every now and again. For Woods, the question must be asked: what would he gain by playing? In his past few starts, while there have been glimpses of good play, there is nothing to suggest he is going to contend for this major. Or finish high enough to make the FedEx Cup playoffs or tempt Watson to pick him for Gleneagles. But dont tell that to Tiger. If you say he cant, hell do all he can to say he can, bad back and all. ' ' '