Islanders part ways with coach Nolan

Ted Nolan's return to NHL coaching ended after only two years yesterday when he split with the New York Islanders over "philosophical differences" with general manager Garth Snow. Although there had been a growing rift throughout last season between Nolan and Snow, the somewhat surprising midsummer move was made after a morning meeting at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., before the opening of a rookie training camp. "The process for me was something that took a lot of time to come to terms with," Snow said. After getting the Islanders into the playoffs in 2007, Nolan guided the club to a 35-38-9 finish last season. Snow's list of coaching candidates reportedly includes Islanders assistant Gerard Gallant, former Lightning coach John Tortorella, and recently fired Leafs coach Paul Maurice . . . The Stars rewarded coach Dave Tippett for a trip to the Western Conference finals by adding two years to his deal, keeping him under contract through the 2010-11 season . . . The Capitals signed All-Star center Sergei Fedorov, 38, to a one-year contract. Fedorov played in 18 games for the Capitals last year after being acquired from Columbus at the trade deadline.

Brett Favre finally is speaking for himself: He wants to play but doesn't feel welcome in Green Bay, so he's asking to be released. The quarterback's first substantial comments on his latest retirement decision reversal came in an interview last night with Fox News on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren." Favre said he understands that the Packers want to move on - but if they're doing so, they should let him go. "Them moving on does not bother me," Favre said. "By me retiring March 3, I knew that could possibly happen. All I was saying is, you know, I'm thinking about playing again." Meanwhile, only about 30 people came to a Favre rally in the Wisconsin State Fair parking lot in Milwaukee after some 200 supporters showed up at Lambeau Field Sunday . . . Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had a routine medical procedure to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. Colts president Bill Polian said the team's medical staff expects Manning to have "a full and complete return to action" in four to six weeks . . . Prosecutors in Cincinnati dropped an assault charge against former Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, clearing the way for him to apply for reinstatement by the NFL. The Bengals cut Henry, 25, after his April arrest, his fifth since joining the team in 2005. He has not been signed by any other team . . . Sixth-round draft pick Colt Brennan, a Heisman Trophy finalist from Hawaii, agreed to terms with the Redskins.

Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon had his first hitting session off a tee pushed back at least a couple of days because of soreness in his injured left shoulder. Damon sprained the shoulder when he ran into the left-field fence while attempting to catch a ball July 4 . . . Braves lefthander Mike Hampton will make his second rehabilitation start tomorrow for Double A Mississippi. Hampton has had two elbow surgeries and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005 . . . Former Red Sox outfielder Wily Mo Peña, hitting .205 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 195 at-bats this season for the Nationals, will have surgery on his left shoulder . . . Catcher John Otness had two hits and four RBIs to lead the visiting Portland Sea Dogs to a 9-5 win over New Britain.

Billy Packer is out after 27 years as the lead college basketball analyst for CBS, making way for Clark Kellogg. Kellogg has done game and studio analysis for CBS for 16 years. He will partner with Jim Nantz on his first Final Four in April. Packer, 68, who did 34 consecutive Final Fours, said he is pursuing other basketball projects . . . The son of North Carolina State basketball coach Sidney Lowe pleaded guilty to dozens of charges connected to a March 2007 armed robbery. A sentencing hearing for Sidney Lowe II is expected to end today in Guilford (N.C.) County Superior Court . . . Tom Sullivan, the men's rowing coach at Holy Cross the past 33 years, retired.

Ryan Newman, projected as a possible teammate for Tony Stewart on the two-time NASCAR champion's new team, will leave Penske Racing at the end of the season. "We want to thank Ryan for his hard work and contributions to Penske Racing over the past nine years," team owner Roger Penske said. Newman expressed his appreciation to Penske, but gave no indication where he will be racing in 2009. Newman has been with Penske since making his Sprint Cup debut in 2000. He has notched 13 victories, including this year's Daytona 500.

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy made more than 100 phone calls to a fellow official at the same time he was providing information to gamblers during the 2006-07 season, Fox News reported. Citing court documents and phone records it obtained, Fox reported Donaghy placed 134 calls to referee Scott Foster between October 2006 and April 2007, the period during which he has confessed to betting on games or passing on game information to gamblers. It's not known what information was exchanged during the calls between Foster and Donaghy, who is awaiting sentencing later this month in federal court. Reached for comment by Fox, Foster was asked if he was being investigated by the NBA, the government, or anyone else. "Not that I know of," he said . . . Lindsay Whalen of the Connecticut Sun was named the WNBA Eastern Conference player of the week . . . De Roode, a six-time winner at Suffolk Downs last year, was honored by the New England Turf Writers Association as the Moseley Horse of the Year . . . Despite Jan-Michael Gambill winning his singles and doubles matches, the Boston Lobsters lost, 22-17, to the host Kansas City Explorers in World TeamTennis action.