NHL Notes: Gretzky stays in desert

GLENDALE, Ariz. — After signing a five-year deal Wednesday to remain the Phoenix Coyotes' coach, Wayne Gretzky was asked if it would take that long to build a championship team.

"It better not, or I won't be here in five years," Gretzky said with a laugh.

The announcement that Gretzky will remain behind the bench is seen as critical to the club's efforts to become a contender for its first NHL title.

"It is an important, important event for the Phoenix Coyotes," chief executive officer Jeff Shumway said. "This completes our management group. We are very, very happy to get this done."

Gretzky, 44, is also the Coyotes' part owner and managing partner. He joined the franchise on Feb. 15, 2001, when Jerry Moyes' ownership group completed its purchase of the club.

The Coyotes went 38-39-5 in Gretzky's debut season, winning 16 more games than in the previous season.

It was, at times, a trying year for the NHL's all-time leading scorer, nicknamed "The Great One."

The first setback came when Brett Hull, a likely future Hall of Famer brought in to provide veteran leadership, retired five games into the season. Injuries to goalie Brian Boucher in the exhibition season and Ladislav Nagy in February also hurt the team.

Gretzky dealt with the death of his mother, Phyllis, in December. His grandmother, Betty Hockin, died three weeks later.

Assistant coach and friend Rick Tocchet was arrested for allegedly running an illegal sports gambling ring in February. The scandal touched Gretzky when it was revealed that his wife, Janet, had placed bets.

"Obviously, you live and learn," Gretzky said. "I'm a big boy. Fortunately, I have a lot of good friends and a lot of people who were very supportive. There's no question it was a tough year."

Despite all the turmoil, Gretzky said he enjoyed coaching, which filled a void that opened up when he retired as a player in 1999.

Gretzky, who led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup titles, said it was about "competition — the chance to compete to get your name on the Stanley Cup."

Gretzky said he wouldn't have returned if his family hadn't agreed to move to the Phoenix area. Last season, son Ty lived with Gretzky in Phoenix while Janet and the couple's four other children remained at their home in Southern California.

"Oh, that was non-negotiable," Gretzky said. "I wasn't going to do that again."

Though training camp is more than three months away, Gretzky seemed eager to go to work. And he had a message for anyone who doubted his commitment to coaching.

"The only way that you're remembered as an athlete and a coach is winning championships," he said. "As well as I did as a player, I never went to another level until we won our first championship. And to me, that's the way it is coaching, too."

Red Wings

bring back Chelios

DETROIT — Chris Chelios, the NHL's oldest player, signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He will be a 45-year-old defenseman next year in the middle of his eighth season with the team and 23rd in the league.

The three-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman played in 81 games last season and had a plus-22 rating.

"Chris proved this past season that he can still play at a very high level," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said.

Holland said he spoke to Steve Yzerman on Wednesday but does not know whether the 40-year-old captain will re-sign with the team or retire.

League revenues

exceed expectations

NHL revenues will surpass initial projections by some $300 million, the players' association told agents Wednesday.

The final numbers won't be tallied until the end of June, but league-wide revenues likely will exceed $2.1 billion, easily topping the $1.8 billion estimated for this season.

The players will not have to pay any escrow as salaries will not have taken more than 54 percent of revenues, and there's a good chance owners will owe the players more.

The higher revenue figures also mean the $39 million salary cap will go up next season, likely to between $43 million and $45 million.