Moving swiftly to give Alex Ovechkin help at the defensive end while raiding a rival, new Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan signed Pittsburgh Penguins free agents Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik on Tuesday to deals totalling more than $65 million. The 27-year-old Niskanen, the more offensive-minded of the pair of defencemen joining the Capitals, got a $40.25 million, seven-year contract. "Its a very big commitment from Washington. Thats no small thing. Youre talking a seven-year commitment for a very substantial amount of money," said Niskanen, who got married Saturday. "Im excited for that challenge." The 33-year-old Orpik, more of a stay-at-home blueliner who had spent his entire career with the Penguins, was given a $27.5 million, five-year package. "Ive got to be honest: Up until this year, I never really envisioned myself leaving Pittsburgh. As everyone knows, theres been a lot of changes there. It really was a perfect time," Orpik said. "The past year, there was such strong expectations for the team, both internally and externally, and I think we had a really tough time handling those expectations." The Capitals got off to a fast start on the first day of NHL free agency, also adding Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Justin Peters on a $1.9 million, two-year deal, while re-signing centre Michael Latta to a $1.15 million, two-year contract. Last season, three-time NHL MVP Ovechkin and the Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years, leading ownership to make changes. George McPhees contract was not renewed after he spent 17 seasons as the teams GM, while Adam Oates was fired with a year left on his three-season deal. MacLellan was promoted from assistant general manager to replace McPhee, while Barry Trotz was hired as the new coach. Washington also has added assistant coach Todd Reirden, who was hired by the Capitals after the Penguins fired him last week. "Hes been huge," Niskanen said. "Todd helps young defencemen get better." And in one more Penguins-to-Capitals transaction Tuesday, Washington signed right wing Chris Conner to a one-year, two-way contract. He has 22 goals and 28 assists in 178 NHL games, including 19 with Pittsburgh last season. As for all those people moving from Pittsburgh — which also recently changed its GM and coach — to Washington, Niskanen said: "It would seem odd, wouldnt it? But its professional sports. ... If the Caps call, youve got to listen." Speaking about the Capitals, Orpik said: "Ive played against that group enough to know what the potential of that group can be. ... I think they needed some direction, and I think Barry will provide that." Niskanen, 27, led NHL defencemen with a plus-33 rating last season, when he set career highs with 10 goals and 36 assists. The 6-foot, 209-pound defenceman has 35 goals, 132 assists and 266 penalty minutes in 491 career NHL games for Pittsburgh and Dallas. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Orpik has 13 goals, 119 assists and 734 penalty minutes in 703 career games. He is a two-time U.S. Olympian and was an alternate captain for the Penguins since 2008. The 27-year-old Peters went 7-9-4 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage for the Carolina Hurricanes last season. "When the head coach on the team looks you in the eye and tell you he wants you to be there, that goes a long way," Peters said. He said that he wasnt told how hell be used with the Capitals — strictly as a No. 2 behind Braden Holtby, or splitting time in the top goalie spot — but added that he thinks it will "work itself out." ___ AP Sports Writer Joseph White contributed to this report. Authentic David Amerson Jersey . -- Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu will be the Dodgers starting pitchers in their two-game season-opening series in Australia against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Authentic Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Jersey . Six years of waiting are finally over for the Dallas defenceman. Daley had a goal and an assist, Kari Lehtonen recorded his fifth shutout of the season, and the Stars clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 with a 3-0 victory against the St. http://www.cheapchiefsjerseysauthentic.c...th-acker-jersey. Donald Young lost in straight sets to Israels Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-0. Querrey, ranked No. 61, is the second-highest ranked American, ahead of Johnson (64). Authentic Mitch Morse Jersey .Inter Milan and Napoli also advanced to ensure there will be at least three Italian clubs in the last 32 of Europes secondary competition.Spurs victory, secured by Benjamin Stamboulis 49th-minute winner, was overshadowed by a succession of pitch invasions that forced the referee to halt the game after 41 minutes. Authentic Chris Jones Jersey . That little deal worked out in a big way for the Mavericks. Nowitzki had 21 points Tuesday night to pass Oscar Robertson for 10th on the NBAs career scoring list, leading the Mavs to a 95-83 victory over the Utah Jazz.BUFFALO, N.Y. - Terry and Kim Pegula have no immediate plans to tinker with their new NFL team.The last thing the Buffalo Bills (5-3) need is a distraction while in the thick of the AFC playoff race and attempting to end a 14-year playoff drought — the NFLs longest active streakThey need to play football, Terry Pegula said. God bless them, I hope they win every game.Leaving the structure of the team to the off-season, the Pegulas intend to focus on other franchise concerns, which include a commitment to building a new stadium and working on ending the teams series of annual home games in Toronto.Those were among the topics the Bills new owners touched upon during a wide-ranging 20-minute interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday night.Well, theres going to be a new stadium somewhere, thats all I know, Terry Pegula said. The league was pretty emphatic that Buffalo — were a small market — needs to be as competitive as we can.The one answer the Pegulas couldnt provide yet is a location, timeline or how the costs of a new stadium will be split.The Pegulas stressed theyre in no rush after the Bills current home, Ralph Wilson Stadium, underwent $140 million in renovations this off-season.As for the Bills-In-Toronto series, the Pegulas are ready to end it.Were working on that right now, Kim said. We want all the home games to be played in Buffalo, so were working through that. I think its close, but nothings been finalized. But that is our intent.The series was placed on hold in March, when the Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications announced an agreement to postpone holding a game north of the border this season. The two sides said they wanted time to evaluate opportunities and build on the foundation to enhance future games.The postponement came after Bills management and players expressed concerns about poor fan support at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto, and whether it was worth giving up a home game in a bid to expand the franchises exposure in Canadas largest city and financial capital.The Bills have a 1-5 record since the series was launchedd in 2008.dddddddddddd Under the existing agreement, which was renewed in 2013, the Bills were scheduled to play four more regular-season games in Toronto.Toronto is about a two-hour drive from Buffalo and part of the Bills market.The Pegulas, who also own the NHLs Buffalo Sabres, are still in the midst of their transition in the month since buying the Bills from late owner Ralph Wilsons estate for an NFL-record $1.4 billion.Theyre impressed with the job President Russ Brandon has done in overseeing the team during the sale process.Terry said its premature to consider making any changes to the team. And he has not yet determined whether hell hire an outside adviser to evaluate the franchise.I dont think were there yet or if were even going to get there, he said.Buffalo comes out of its bye week preparing to host Kansas City (5-3) on Sunday.The Pegulas are still riding a momentous wave of buzz and relief generated in Buffalo. Their purchase secured the Bills long-term future in western New York amid fears that a new owner would buy and potentially relocate the franchise.There were no such concerns with the Pegulas, who have established firm roots in Buffalo while maintaining their base in Florida. Aside from owning the Sabres, they privately funded the construction of the newly opened HarborCenter, a $172 million downtown hockey and entertainment complex.The two will work as co-owners with no clearly defined roles. Terry is more focused on the team, which is similar to his involvement with the Sabres. Kim will be more focused on stadium amenities and improving fan experiences.The partnership has another advantage, Terry said in noting that at 63 he is 15 years older than Kim.Im older than her, and after what the city of Buffalo just went through with Ralph passing away, I think successor ownership is a nice thing to have, Terry said, noting he intends to have Kim eventually take over as owner.Thats a switch from Wilson, who had no plans of passing the team on to family members.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '