Atlanta – The Thrashers sent the rights to free-agent center Keith Tkachuk back to St. Louis on Tuesday, reacquiring the conditional first-round pick they traded to the Blues in a deadline deal that helped Atlanta reach the playoffs for the first time.
The Thrashers gave up winger Glen Metropolit and their first-round pick in last week’s draft to acquire Tkachuk in a Feb. 25 trade. He had seven goals and eight assists in 18 regular-season games for Atlanta, which won the Southeast Division but was swept by the New York Rangers in the opening round of the playoffs.
To land Tkachuk, the Thrashers also gave up a third- round choice in last week’s draft and a second-round pick next year. In addition, St. Louis would have received a first-round pick in 2008 if Tkachuk had re-signed with Atlanta. Now, the Thrashers will keep their first-rounder and could even re-sign Tkachuk if he becomes an unrestricted free agent on Sunday, though that reacquisition is considered highly unlikely. The trade allows the Blues to deal exclusively with Tkachuk for the rest of the week. If he should become a free agent and sign with the Thrashers, St. Louis would get a fourth-round pick in 2008 or a third-rounder in 2009.
Meanwhile, the Blues placed 14-year NHL veteran Dallas Drake on waivers, which is the first step in buying out the final year on his contract if he goes unclaimed.
SAILING
Kiwis take 2-1 lead in America’s Cup
On a day of shifting winds and swelling waves, the challenger from New Zealand took the lead in the America’s Cup in a classic race in which it beat defending champion Alinghi off the coast of Valencia, Spain.
Emirates Team New Zealand is ahead 2-1 after prevailing in a race that featured eight lead changes, bow-to- bow sailing and a victory margin of 25 seconds.
CYCLING
Tour de France to mandate charter
The Tour de France won’t accept riders who refuse to sign a new anti-doping charter.
Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, introduced the charter June 19 and asked all 600 ProTour cyclists to sign. Tour director Christian Prudhomme said the race will, if necessary, go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to try to reject riders who refuse to sign.
The Tour starts July 7.
SOCCER
Gold Cup final ratings top Stanley Cup
The CONCACAF Gold Cup final attracted 41 percent more television households in the United States than the Stanley Cup Finals clincher – and that was just for the soccer game’s Spanish-language telecast.
The U.S.’ 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Mexico on Sunday received a 2.5 fast national rating on Univision, the network said. That translates to 2.83 million households, nearly double the 1.48 million homes that watched the 2005 Gold Cup final between the United States and Panama. This year’s English-language telecast was on the Fox Soccer Channel, which is available in about 30 million homes and is not rated.
Anaheim’s series-ending 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup on June 6 received a 1.8 rating on NBC, which comes to 2,005,000 households.
Peru upset 14-time champion Uruguay 3-0, and Bolivia rallied to tie host Venezuela 2-2 on the opening night in the Copa America.
The U.S, an invited guest to the championship of South America, opens Thursday against Argentina.
Jupp Derwall, who coached Germany to the European title in 1980 and to a runner-up finish at the 1982 World Cup, died in Frankfurt, Germany, after a brief illness. He was 80.
FOOTNOTES
Former Hokies coach Hussey dies
Former Virginia Tech and Davidson head basketball coach Bobby Hussey died in Charlotte, N.C. He was 67.
Tina Thompson scored all 17 of her points in the second half to lead the Houston Comets to a 75-67 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars. Former Colorado State star Becky Hammon had a game-high 32 points on 10-of-15 shooting, but it was not enough for the visitors.
Alana Beard scored 20 points, including 16 in the second half, to lead the Washington Mystics to a 91-75 win over the Connecticut Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
Rebekkah Brunson had 15 points and eight rebounds, and the host Sacramento Monarchs never trailed in a 59-46 victory over the New York Liberty. The Monarchs made two 3-pointers to start the game and never trailed.
Florida Derby winner Scat Daddy retired from racing because of an injured tendon in his right foreleg.
Australian Michael Klim, a six-time Olympic medalist and former swimming world-record holder, announced his retirement from international competition.
