Kings Re-Sign NHL Leader in Penalty Minutes

Sabres Co-Captain Briere Awarded $5 Million in Arbitration

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Kings re-signed restricted free agent Sean Avery to a one-year contract on Monday.

The 26-year-old left wing played in 75 games with the Kings last season and had 15 goals and 24 assists. For the second straight season, Avery led the NHL in penalty minutes -- posting 257.

He was acquired by the Kings from Detroit in 2003.

Last September, Avery made derogatory comments about French-Canadian players after then-Phoenix defenseman Denis Gauthier hit Kings teammate Jeremy Roenick in an exhibition game. Avery issued an apology after receiving a reprimand from the NHL.

During a game against Edmonton in October, the Oilers' Georges Laraque, who is black, accused Avery of using a racial slur, which Avery denied.

In April, Avery unleashed an obscenity-laced tirade at Brian Hayward, the television commentator for the Anaheim Ducks.

Avery sat out the Kings' final two games of the season after arguing with then-assistant coach Mark Hardy.

Briere Awarded $5 Million Contract

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres co-captain Daniel Briere was awarded a one-year, $5 million contract by an arbitrator Sunday.

Briere earned $1.938 million last season, when he had 58 points in 48 games and added 19 points in 18 playoff games. If the Sabres accept the arbitrator's ruling, Briere will become the team's highest paid player, surpassing fellow co-captain Chris Drury's $3.15 million.

The 28-year-old Briere is one of an NHL-high 10 Buffalo players who filed for salary arbitration this summer. The Sabres settled one in advance Sunday, signing Ales Kotalik to a multiyear deal.

Kotalik had career highs in goals (25) and points (62). He was scheduled to have his arbitration case heard on Tuesday.

Briere's award continues a trend that has seen the Sabres payroll increase significantly since the end of this season. A small-market team, Buffalo reached the Eastern Conference finals with a payroll of around $29 million, about $10 million under the salary cap that will rise to $44 million for next season.