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.