Heatley scores six-year extension

After watching conference rival Buffalo lose Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency this year, the Ottawa Senators didn't want to risk losing 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley next year. Heatley, who could have become an unrestricted free agent next summer, agreed to terms on a six-year, $45 million extension with the Senators yesterday, then scored twice, including the winning goal in overtime, in Ottawa's season-opening win at Toronto. The front-loaded deal will pay an average of $7.5 million, tops on the Senators. According to TSN.ca, the pact includes a no-movement clause . . . The Philadelphia Flyers signed forward Jesse Boulerice and center Jim Dowd to one-year contracts.

At a private hearing today in Philadelphia, the Falcons will try to convince an arbitrator the team deserves a refund of up to $22 million in bonus money paid to quarterback Michael Vick. Attorneys representing the NFL Players Association will argue against the Falcons' claim. The Falcons are expected to contend Vick knew he was in violation of the contract when he signed a $130 million deal in December 2004, and that he used proceeds from the deal to fund his dogfighting operation. Vick moved one step closer to being tried on state dogfighting charges at a hearing yesterday to make sure he has legal representation. An attorney for the suspended quarterback appeared in Surry County (Va.) Circuit Court and was asked to return Nov. 27 to set a trial date.

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson, who exchanged words with quarterback Carson Palmer after Asante Samuel's interception snuffed out a drive late in the first half of the Patriots' 34-13 victory Monday, decided it was his fault after all after looking at video of the play . . . Bills rookie quarterback Trent Edwards will make his second straight start when Buffalo hosts Dallas Monday night after J.P. Losman (sprained left knee) missed practice . . . Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, who has been playing with two broken ribs, will be replaced by backup Gus Frerotte Sunday against Arizona . . . Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (right knee) and left tackle Luke Petitgout (right leg) were placed on injured reserve . . . Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews confirmed an original diagnosis that San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith has moderate shoulder separation that won't require surgery but will keep him out of the 49ers' game against Baltimore Sunday . . . Broncos safety John Lynch, who missed last week's loss at Indianapolis with a strained groin, declared himself ready to face San Diego this weekend . . . Dolphins safety Travares Tillman had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday.

His team 6 points out of the last MLS playoff spot after winning its last three matches, David Beckham returned to practice with the Los Angeles Galaxy. There was no indication when the 32-year-old English midfielder, sidelined since injuring his knee Aug. 29, might play for the Galaxy, who have four games remaining in the regular season . . . Salve Regina University said it was an apparent hazing incident that led to a five-game suspension for the men's team.

Harvard senior quarterback Liam O'Hagan, who suffered an injury to his right shoulder in the Crimson's 20-13 loss at Lehigh Saturday, is "quite possibly out for the year," according to coach Tim Murphy. Senior Chris Pizzotti of Reading is No. 1 on the depth chart for this week's game at Cornell . . . Yale's Mike McLeod (school-record 256 yards rushing in win at Holy Cross) and Trinity's Joe Clark (four TD catches in OT win over Williams) received this week's Gold Helmet Awards from the New England College Football Writers . . . Jacksonville University running back Rudell Small was reinstated one day after teammate Cecil Coltrane admitted planting more than 20 grams of marijuana in Small's dorm room . . . World record-holder Paula Radcliffe, 33, will run her first marathon in more than two years when she competes in New York next month . . . America's Cup organizers are considering postponing the 2009 event because of continued legal wrangling over proposed rules changes . . . Orlando Magic forward Tony Battie will undergo rotator cuff surgery that likely will end his season . . . Lakers center Kwame Brown was charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer after his cousin was charged with drunken driving Saturday in Georgia . . . Nets guard Marcus Williams underwent surgery to repair a broken right foot and is expected to return to action in 6-8 weeks . . . Ben Howland, who has guided UCLA to consecutive Final Four appearances, agreed to a seven-year contract . . . It was another good day for the Williams sisters, both of whom reached quarterfinals. Top-seeded Venus overpowered Vania King, 6-0, 6-4, at the Japan Open in Tokyo, and Serena defeated qualifier Julia Vakulenko, 7-5, 6-2, at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany . . . As expected, IndyCar champ Dario Franchitti became the first European to enter NASCAR full time. The Scot was introduced as the driver of Chip Ganassi's No. 40 Dodge . . . Nationwide Insurance signed a seven-year deal to become the title sponsor of NASCAR's No. 2 series beginning in 2008.