Stefan Legein, the Blue Jackets second-round pick in the 2007 draft, has decided to quit hockey.

Legein’s agent, Doug Woods, informed the Blue Jackets that the 19-year-old right winger will not report to training camp next month and is retiring, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson confirmed the news to the Dispatch late Tuesday night. [READ]

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Gord Dineen head coach of the Iowa Chops, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, the Ducks named Matt Laatsch assistant coach at Iowa.

“Gord Dineen is a top young coach with a lengthy and impressive resume as a player and as a coach,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “We were impressed with everything he added to our coaching staff in Portland last year and are extremely pleased to name him as our head coach in Des Moines.”

Dineen, 45 (9/21/62), will begin his first stint as a head coach in the AHL this upcoming season. He spent last season as an assistant coach for the Portland Pirates, Anaheim’s then AHL affiliate. Prior to coaching in Portland, Dineen served as an assistant coach in the AHL for Louisville (2000-01), Springfield (2003-04), Utah (2004-05) and San Antonio (2005-06). Dineen’s head coaching experience includes stints with Macon (2001-02) and Richmond (2002-03) in the ECHL.

“I am very excited and flattered about being named the first head coach in Iowa Chops history,” said Dineen. “My experience with the Anaheim Ducks organization has been a very positive one thus far, and I look forward to continuing that relationship and put a successful team on the ice. We will be a reflection of the Anaheim Ducks with an up-tempo, in-your-face, physical style of hockey that will prepare and develop our players to win at the NHL level.”

Originally drafted by the New York Islanders in 1981 NHL Entry Draft (42nd overall), Dineen made his NHL debut in 1982-83 with the Islanders. A veteran of 528 career NHL games between the Islanders (1982-88, 1994-95), Minnesota North Stars (1988-89), Pittsburgh Penguins (1988-92) and Ottawa Senators (1992-94), Dineen scored 16-90=106 points with 695 penalty minutes (PIM). He collected 1-7=8 points with 68 PIM in 40 career NHL Playoff games, winning the Stanley Cup in 1991 with Pittsburgh.

Laatsch, 28 (8/19/80), served as one of two assistant coaches in Portland last season, where the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Prior to joining the Ducks' organization, Laatsch was an assistant coach at the University of Denver during the 2006-07 season. Laatsch was a member of both University of Denver teams that won back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2004 and 2005. [READ]

The NHL refuses to entertain compensation offers from a newly formed Russian league for the signing of Alex Radulov while the player was under contract with the Predators.

And until Radulov’s contract with the Predators is honored, the NHL won’t consider negotiating a player transfer agreement with the Continental Hockey League (KHL), NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Associated Press in an e-mail on Monday. [READ]

Marian Gaborik still doesn't know if he wants to sign an extension with the Wild or test free agency next July, his agent said today. In fact, Ron Salcer said, the sides have yet to talk contract.

"I haven't heard from or spoken to the Wild," Salcer said.

Gaborik met with GM Doug Risebrough and assistant GM Tom Lynn last week in Trencin, Slovakia, but the sides did not talked contract, Salcer said.

"I can only say the Wild went to speak to him and were very respectful and shared information with him, about himself and the organization, and their vision," said Salcer, who has spoken with Gaborik since that meeting.

"I think it was a very intelligent move on their behalf to involve him, but we don't have any set plans (to talk)." [READ]

There are rumors that hockey star Mike Comrie and pop star Hilary Duff are engaged, according to the Entertainment News Network.

Duff was seen leaving Hollywood's Il Sole restaurant with Comrie on Friday night when she flashed her left hand to reveal a sizable ring.

The couple have been dating for more than a year. [READ]

Mats Sundin's agent is denying a report that his client is interested in joining the New York Rangers, according to TSN in Canada.

The agent claims that Sundin has yet to make a decision regarding where he wants to play this season.

"Everybody has been calling regularly trying to get an idea of when his timetable is. Mainly I have just told them we have talked about everything and right now it's just for him to decide," agent J.P. Barry explained to TSN on Sunday. [READ]

With the start of training camp less than a month away, Mats Sundin has expressed an interest in playing for the Rangers this season, according to the New York Post.

According to the newspaper, Sundin’s agent J.P. Barry has talked with the Rangers’ front office all week although those discussions have not yet included specific negotiations for a contract. [READ]