Report: Whalers to Raleigh

Citing team sources, ESPNEWS reported Thursday that the Hartford Whalers will move to Raleigh, N.C., and begin playing there next season “barring a last-minute breakdown in negotiations.” The cable network reported that a formal announcement would come no later than Monday.

However, Whaler owner Peter Karmanos said a decision could come as early as today. He would not confirm or deny the ESPNEWS report.

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Buffalo Sabre goalie Dominik Hasek was suspended for three playoff games and fined $10,000 by the NHL for attacking Buffalo News reporter Jim Kelley over a column questioning the severity of his injury. Commissioner Gary Bettman ordered Hasek, who has not played since spraining his right knee in Game 3 against Ottawa, to sit out the first three games of the Sabres’ Eastern Conference semifinal series against Philadelphia. . . . The NHL pushed the date of the draft lottery up a week to May 11 in New York. The lottery draw is a weighted system to determine the order of selection for the first 10 picks of the amateur entry draft. The Kings will have a lottery pick.