Washington Capitals

Right wing Andrei Kovalev, a 1990 draft choice of the Washington Capitals who has been playing for Moscow Dynamo the past three seasons, met yesterday with Jack Button, Capitals director of player personnel and development.Kovalev, 25, is expected to sign today and be assigned on loan from Washington to the independent New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League."We believe that Kovalev will sign and play in the AHL, but we have enough players on the Skipjacks," said Button. "New Haven needs players, and Kovalev can help them and also get valuable playing time."

BaseballChicago White Sox -- Named Dewey Robinson minor-league pitching coordinator.FootballPhiladelphia Eagles -- Signed OL Tom McHale to a one-year contract.HockeyDallas Stars -- Assigned LW Zac Boyer, RW Mark Lawrence and G Mike Torchia to Kalamazoo of the International Hockey League.Los Angeles Kings -- Agreed to terms with LW Rick Tocchet on a four-year contract.Philadelphia Flyers -- Assigned G Scott LaGrand, LW Andre Faust, C Vaclav Prospal and C Jan Lipiansky to Hershey of the American Hockey League.

The Washington Capitals will wrap up their 1991 preseason schedule with back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Flyers, including one at the Baltimore Arena, the team announced yesterday.The Capitals will play the Flyers at the Baltimore Arena on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. and at the Spectrum the next day at 7 p.m.Washington's only preseason game at the Capital Centre will be Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. against the Buffalo Sabres.The Capitals also will play the Hartford Whalers and the New York Rangers twice and Buffalo three times during preseason.

BasketballOrlando Magic -- Signed G Darrell Armstrong for the remainder of the season.CollegeCedarville -- Named Jeff Reep men's basketball coach.Central Washington -- Announced that interim basketball coach Greg Sparling will coach the team next season.FootballSan Antonio Texans (CFL) -- Re-signed LB Hurlie Brown and WR Mark Stock.HockeyDallas Stars -- Recalled G Darcy Wakaluk from a conditioning assignment with IHL Kalamazoo. Assigned G Mike Torchia to Kalamazoo.San Jose Sharks -- Assigned D Ilya Byakin to IHL Kansas City.

BASEBALL (NL)Cincinnati Reds -- Signed Jeff Reed (catcher) to a two-year contract and Luis Quinones (infielder) to a one-year contract. Agreed to terms with Freddie Benevides and Brian Lane (infielders), Milt Hill (pitcher), Glenn Sutko (catcher) and Chris Jones (outfielder) on one-year contracts.San Diego Padres -- Agreed to terms with Dennis Rasmussen (pitcher) on a one-year contract.FOOTBALL (NFL) * Los Angeles Rams -- Fired Fritz Shurmur (defensive coordinator), Fred Whittingham (linebacker coach)

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals yesterday announced the signings of defenseman Mark Ferner and left wings Jeff Greenlaw and Craig Duncanson.Ferner, 25, played in seven games for the Capitals last season, getting one assist. He spent most of the season with the Baltimore Skipjacks, where he was named to the American Hockey League's second all-star team.Greenlaw, 23, was called up from the Skipjacks in March and became a regular in the season's final month.Duncanson, 24, was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in a multi-player deal in May after spending most of the season with the AHL's Moncton Hawks, with whom he scored 50 points in 58 games.

Baseball Boston Red Sox -- Named Steve Braun roving minor-league hitting instructor.Oakland Athletics -- Agreed to terms with OF Dave Henderson (.271, 20 HR, 63 RBI) on a three-year contract.BasketballOklahoma City Cavalry (CBA) -- Acquired F Orlando Graham from the Quad City Thunder for the rights to G Ricky Grace, F Barry Mitchell, a second-round draft choice in 1991 and an undisclosed amount of cash.FootballWashington Redskins -- Placed OT Ed Simmons on injured reserve. Claimed OG Scott Beavers off waivers from the Denver Broncos.

BASEBALL American League * Seattle Mariners -- Named Russ Nixon bench coach.National League * Chicago Cubs -- Named Larry Himes executive vice president baseball operations, and Jim Frey senior vice president.* San Francisco Giants -- Purchased the contracts of Chris Hancock (pitcher) from Phoenix of the Pacific Coast League, and John Patterson (second baseman) and Steve Hosey (outfielder) from Shreveport of the Texas League.BASKETBALL (NBA) * New York Knicks -- Waived Carlton McKinney (forward-guard)

BaseballMinnesota Twins -- Released OF Randy Bush. Recalled OF Derek Lee from Triple-A Portland.New York Yankees -- Activated IF Mike Gallego from the 15-day DL. Sent IF Dave Silvestri to Triple-A Columbus.HockeyHartford Whalers -- Traded first-, second- and third-round picks in the 1993 draft and future considerations to the San Jose Sharks for a first-round pick in 1993.Los Angeles Kings -- Traded C Corey Millen to the New Jersey Devils for a fifth-round pick in the 1993 draft.New Jersey Devils -- Acquired LW Mike Peluso from the Ottawa Senators to complete trade for G Craig Billington.

BaseballNew York Yankees -- Designated C Rick Cerone (.302 in 139 at-bats) for assignment.BasketballSan Jose Jammers (CBA) -- Activated G Jay Burson, who has been out with a recurring neck injury. Waived G Steve Key.CollegeAmerican -- Announced that G Brian Mackey will not play during the spring semester.Auburn -- Announced that OL Ed King will give up his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.Duke -- Named Ted Million offensive line coach.Florida -- Extended contract of football coach Steve Spurrier through the 1997 season.