The dispute between the NHL and a newly formed Russian hockey league over forward Alexander Radulov appears headed for court. The Continental Hockey League (KHL) withdrew its appeal on five other player transfers at a meeting on Saturday between the International Ice Hockey Federation and nine member countries, but couldn't resolve the Radulov case, the IIHF said in a statement.

The St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, the fourth overall pick in the June draft, on Thursday. The 18-year-old Pietrangelo will get a chance to make the team when training camp begins Sept. 19. "We are excited to have Alex signed as he will be a key component to our youth movement for years to come," team president John Davidson said.

The Atlanta Thrashers signed first-round pick Zach Bogosian to an entry-level contract Thursday. The 18-year-old defenseman was selected third overall after scoring 11 goals and 61 points with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League. Bogosian will take part in a prospect evaluation camp in Traverse City, Mich., before reporting for Atlanta's training camp on Sept.

The NHL camps open in two weeks and Mats Sundin still hasn't decided if he'll return for another season. Sundin said Wednesday he's unsure if his 37-year-old body can handle another grueling year in the NHL. He's received contract offers from numerous teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he's led for 13 seasons.

The Boston Bruins signed center Stephane Yelle on Wednesday. Yelle, who spent the last five seasons with Calgary after seven seasons with Colorado, has 85 goals and 239 points in 844 career games. As a rookie in 1995-96, he had career highs of 13 goals and 27 points. He was with Colorado when it won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001.

If not for the patience of the Colorado Avalanche, Joe Sakic could have become the NHL's version of Brett Favre. The Colorado captain said Tuesday he's thankful the Avalanche didn't press him for a decision on his future the way the Green Bay Packers did with their iconic quarterback, an approach that backfired this summer when Favre changed his mind about retirement and forced an ugly separation.