Coyotes’ Gretzky fined $10,000

The NHL fined Phoenix Coach Wayne Gretzky $10,000 on Tuesday and suspended Coyotes defenseman Nick Boynton for a game as a result of an altercation in Monday night’s 5-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

The suspension is automatic for a player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of regulation or in overtime. The fine also is automatic under the rule cited by the NHL.

Boynton’s fight with the Sharks’ Steve Bernier occurred at 15:50 of the third period.

Brett Hull and Les Jackson were made interim co-general managers of the Dallas Stars after the team fired Doug Armstrong.

Armstrong, the Stars’ general manager since 2002, was let go after a disappointing 7-7-3 start and came three days after the Stars blew a four-goal lead in the third period and lost, 6-5 in overtime, to the Kings.

Hull, who won the Stanley Cup for the Stars with a controversial goal in Game 6 of the 1999 finals against Buffalo, has worked in the Dallas front office since last season. Jackson was the assistant general manager.

Sean Avery of the New York Rangers denied making cancer-related comments to Toronto forward Jason Blake before a pregame altercation between the clubs on Saturday.

Blake was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia.