NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Predators traded top goaltender Tomas Vokoun to the Florida Panthers on Friday hours before the NHL draft, unloading the priciest player on their roster for three draft picks.

The deal involves a first-round draft pick in 2008 and a second-round pick in 2007, according to a Predators official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team was still preparing its announcement.

The Predators signed Vokoun to a four-year, $22.8 million contract in September 2006. The deal was an extension set to take effect this season.

Avalanche re-sign forward Arnason

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche re-signed forward Tyler Arnason to a two-year contract that will keep him with the team through the 2008-09 season.

The 28-year-old Arnason had 16 goals and 33 assists last season. He was sixth on the team in goals.

Blackhawks trade Aucoin, draft pick

CHICAGO – Hours before picking first in the NHL draft, the Chicago Blackhawks traded defenseman Adrian Aucoin and a seventh-round selection to the Calgary Flames on Friday for defensemen Andrei Zyuzin and Steve Marr.

Predators owner pressures buyer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold has asked the NHL to hold off its consideration of a deal to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie.

Leipold wants to have a binding agreement on the proposed $220 million sale with Balsillie, the co-CEO of Blackberry makers Research in Motion Ltd., before the league further considers the transaction.

Sharks ship Toskala, Bell to Leafs

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks traded goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday for three draft picks, including a first-rounder, in the first big deal of NHL draft day.

Toskala teamed up with Evgeni Nabokov over the previous three seasons to form one of the NHL’s best goaltending tandems.

Sharks re-sign Rivet to four-year deal

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Defenseman Craig Rivet re-signed with the San Jose Sharks on Friday, agreeing to a four-year deal with the club that acquired him late in the regular season.

Rivet spent his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens before the Sharks picked him up for the playoff run Feb. 25. After that short but satisfying stint in teal, Rivet was thrilled to return.