Hockey transactions

National Hockey League

BUFFALO SABRES-Signed Darcy Regier, general manager, to a two-year contract, and Lindy Ruff, coach, to a three-year contract.

CALGARY FLAMES-Named Mike Keenan coach and Jim Playfair associate coach.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS-Named Scott Howson general manager.

MONTREAL CANADIENS-Signed D Pavel Valentenko to a three-year contract.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS-Signed G Antero Niittymaki to a two-year contract.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING-Signed LW Jan Hlavac to a one-year contract.

American Hockey League

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS-Signed D Ben Lovejoy.

ECHL

WHEELING NAILERS-Acquired the rights to F Brendan Cook from Columbia to complete an earlier trade that sent G Danny Taylor to Texas.