For the fourth straight year, the Maple Leafs are the NHL's most valuable team, according to Forbes magazine's annual survey.
The Leafs are worth $470 million, an increase of 5 percent over last year. They easily are worth more than the next franchise, the Rangers at $416 million, up just 1 percent.
The Canadiens are third ($339 million), followed by the Red Wings ($337 million), Flyers ($273 million), Bruins ($271 million) and Blackhawks ($258 million).
The Hawks had the biggest rise in value, up 26 percent, followed by the Capitals at 15 percent to $183 million. The Stanley Cup champion Penguins rank 11th at $222 million.
The average value of the 30 teams is $223 million, a slight increase over the $220 million of 2008. Not surprisingly, the Coyotes, with all their ownership issues, have the lowest worth, $138 million. And 14 teams - nearly half the league - went down in value.
•Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk (broken foot) practiced Wednesday but left early. Coach John Anderson says Kovalchuk's availability will be a game-time decision Thursday night at the Rangers. ... Avalanche forward Darcy Tucker was activated from the injured reserve list after he missed eight games with a concussion.
AP
