Columbus arena declared safe after gas leak leads to evacuation
Crews investigating a gas leak near the Columbus Blue Jackets’ downtown arena that caused the hockey team to cancel its practice Monday said later in the day that the area was safe.
Reports of people smelling gas in the area forced occupants of several buildings to evacuate Monday, including Blue Jackets employees who were inside Nationwide Arena.
The entertainment district in Ohio’s capital city is home to several restaurants, taverns and other businesses.
Columbia Gas says it’s investigating what caused the smell and that high readings of gas in the area had dropped by mid-afternoon.
Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin told The Columbus Dispatch that some people walking near the arena’s loading dock reported smelling gas.
The Blue Jackets said there would not be any impact on their game Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals.
Kings
Los Angeles traded forward Nate Thompson and a fifth-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for a fourthround pick. Each pick is in the 2019 draft. The teams announced the trade Monday before the Kings faced the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
Thompson has four goals and two assists in 53 games for Los Angeles this season. He has won 53.3 percent of his faceoffs and ranks 34th in the NHL.
The 34-year-old is a pending free agent who carries a $1.65 million salary-cap hit for the rest of the season.
Blackhawks
Chicago goaltender Collin Delia has agreed to a threeyear contract extension through the 2021-22 season. The average annual value is $1 million.
Delia was promoted from the minors when Corey Crawford was placed on injured reserve Dec. 17 with a concussion. Delia, 24, is 6-2-3 with a 2.98 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 12 appearances.
Delia began last season in the ECHL before being promoted to Rockford of the AHL. He made his NHL debut in March, going 1-1 in two starts.
Devils
New Jersey has been awarded forward Kenny Agostino on waivers from Montreal. He was a fifthround draft choice of the Penguins in 2010 before subsequently playing for Calgary, St. Louis and Boston.
The Devils announced the move Monday, saying the Morristown, N.J., native would join the team in St. Louis for a game against the Blues Tuesday night.
Agostino, who was waived Sunday, has four goals and 13 assists in 58 NHL games. He had two goals and nine assists in 36 games with the Canadiens this season. His 36 games with the Canadiens represented his single-season high.
The Devils assigned defenseman Ryan Murphy to Binghamton (AHL) to make roster space for Agostino.