Friday's sports briefs

Jagr signs with Russian team Jaromir Jagr signed with a Russian League team a day after his split with the New York Rangers, leaving the NHL after nearly two decades and returning to the club he joined during the 2004-05 lockout.

Avangard Omsk announced the signing of the 36-year-old Czech winger on the team's website Friday. The team's general manager, Anatoly Bardin, had been publicly wooing Jagr since March.

"It was the toughest decision in my life, hockeywise. ... No question about it. I hate making changes," Jagr told The Canadian Press.

The deal is believed to be for two years plus an option for a third, and will pay Jagr about $7 million tax free, the equivalent of about $11 million a season in the NHL.

Jagr enjoyed his experience in Omsk during the lockout. "Don't forget I'm from Europe," Jagr told the CP. "Russia is nothing new for me. It's close to the Czech Republic. It would be different for American or Canadian players. But for me, I enjoy it."

• The San Jose Sharks acquired standout defenseman Dan Boyle from Tampa Bay, trading defenseman Matt Carle and top prospect Ty Wishart to acquire their second proven NHL defensive star in two days. The Sharks also received defenseman Brad Lukowich in the deal, while giving up a first-round pick in 2009 and a fourth-round choice in 2010. San Jose, which on Thursday signed Rob Blake as a free agent, then traded veteran defenseman Craig Rivet to Buffalo for two second-round draft picks.

• Vancouver acquired winger Steve Bernier from Buffalo for a third-round pick in 2009 and a second-round pick in 2010.

Duhon averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 assists in four seasons for the Chicago Bulls. The Sporting News cited an unidentified source in its website report as saying Duhon will get a two-year deal starting at the full mid-level exception (about $4.9 million a season).

• Michael Beasley slightly cracked his sternum in a collision with a teammate earlier this week, yet still could be with the Miami Heat when the team opens summer league play Monday. Second-year Heat guard Daequan Cook separated his left, non-shooting, shoulder, meaning he won't be available for the five-games-in-five-days summer league schedule in Orlando.

• Josh Smith, a restricted free agent with Atlanta, visited Philadelphia but did not leave with an offer sheet.

AROUND THE HORN

Boxing: Unbeaten Joe Calzaghe has relinquished his WBC super-middleweight title to set up a fight against Roy Jones Jr. for the light heavyweight belt. The 36-year-old Calzaghe, who went up to light heavyweight to defeat Bernard Hopkins in April, hopes to fight Jones in September.