COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Todd Richards got a vote of confidence from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Donte Jackson Panthers Jersey . The club signed Richards to a one-year contract extension through the 2014-15 season. The 46-year-old Richards has a record of 42-38-9 in his 99 games with the Blue Jackets, including a 24-17-7 mark and franchise-best .573 winning percentage in 2012-13. The club, which was last in the NHL after its first 19 games, went 19-5-5 to the finish and tied for eighth in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs on a tie-breaker with Minnesota. "We believe Todd is one of the top young coaches in our game and he has had a steadying influence on our team since taking over as head coach in January 2012," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "The hard work put in by Todd and our coaching staff has been a big reason for our teams improved play and we are excited that he will continue to serve as our head coach." Richards went 77-71-17 in two seasons as the head coach of the Wild in 2009-11. Hired as an assistant coach in Columbus, he took over when Scott Arniel was fired midway through the 2011-12 season, taking over a team that was 11-25-5, and went 18-21-2 the rest of the season. This past year, the Blue Jackets became known as a relentless, physical team -- just what Richards had hoped. "I always want to be known as a hard-working team. To me, it doesnt matter the skill that you have," he said after the season. "Our work ethic and how we stayed with it for 60 minutes became our identity." Earlier on Friday, Richards lost his top assistant when Keith Acton left to become associate coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Current assistant Dan Hinote is the most likely candidate to replace him behind the bench. Christian McCaffrey Panthers Jersey . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. Ryan Kalil Jersey . Radulov scored the lone goal in the shootout, and the Predators edged the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Tuesday night to reach 100 points for the second time in three seasons and fourth in seven.MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr is out for the game against the New York Jets.Barr missed practice all week with a knee injury and was listed as doubtful. The rookie leads the Vikings in tackles, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. This is his first absence this season. Hes replaced in the lineup by Gerald Hodges.Also inactive for the Vikings are cornerback Jabari Price, fullback Zach Line, linebacker Brandon Watts, guard David Yankey, tackle JMarcus Webb and defensive end Scott Crichton. Greg Little Womens Jersey. For the Jets, tight end Jace Amaro (concussion) and defensive end Muhammed Wilkerson (toe) are out for the second straight game, as previously declared. Also inactive are wide receiver Walter Powell, guards Wesley Johnson and Dakota Dozier, quarterback Matt Simms and cornerback Josh Thomas.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '