SPORTS WIRE Devils' Niedermayer earns record-tying award

Defenseman Scott Niedermayer of the New Jersey Devils was awardeda record-tying $7 million contract for next season by an NHLarbitrator on Friday.

The award matches the $7 million given to Philadelphia Flyersforward John LeClair in 2000.

Niedermayer, last season's Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's bestdefenseman, had requested a five-year contract reportedly worth $45million.

Niedermayer had 14 goals and 40 assists and averaged nearly 26minutes of ice time per game last season.

*Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov avoided salary arbitration with the SanJose Sharks, agreeing to a two-year contract worth more than $8.8million shortly before his hearing was set to …