Yzerman out of World Cup, Gretzky picks Lecavalier to replace him

[yudansha]

(CP) - Vincent Lecavalier will replace the injured Steve Yzerman on Canada's team for the World Cup of Hockey, joining Tampa Bay teammates Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis after all.

Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman is shown against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Detroit in this March 8, 2004 file photo. (CP PICTURE ARCHIVE/Paul Sancya)​

Team Canada named Lecavalier to the team Sunday after Yzerman told executive director Wayne Gretzky he would not be ready for the Aug. 30-Sept. 14 tournament. The 39-year-old Detroit Red Wings captain suffered an eye injury in the playoffs and hasn't yet decided whether he will return for another NHL season.

"Steve has indicated that he will be unable to participate in the World Cup of Hockey this summer due to his injury situation and that he felt that he would not be ready to be at the level of conditioning required," Gretzky said in a statement released by Hockey Canada on Sunday evening.

Lecavalier, the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL entry draft, got the call over centre Keith Primeau of the Philadelphia Flyers, who is still feeling the effects of a concussion he suffered in the playoffs.

Sources indicate Lecavalier's selection was a unanimous choice with Team Canada's management (Gretzky, Kevin Lowe, Steve Tambellini) and coaching staff (Pat Quinn, Jacques Martin, Ken Hitchcock and Wayne Fleming).

Lecavalier, 24, was a surprise omission when Team Canada first named its 26-player roster May 15, but he didn't let it affect him as he helped lead the Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship. He had 16 playoff points (9-7) in 23 games after putting up 66 points (32-34) in 81 regular-season games.

Training camp for the World Cup starts Aug. 20 in Ottawa and Gretzky may have another player to add before then if veteran star defenceman Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche can't go because of a shoulder injury. Team Canada expects an update on his condition in early August.

Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks, Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers and Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the leading candidates to replace Blake if he can't go.

Gretzky said recently he was confident that superstar centre Mario Lemieux would be ready to go. The Pittsburgh Penguins owner/player is recovering from season-ending hip surgery.

PIERRE LEBRUN; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Devils sign Matvichuk as NHL free-agent market continues to slumber

(CP) - The New Jersey Devils signed unrestricted free-agent defenceman Richard Matvichuk to a four-year deal Monday as the NHL free-agent market continued its slumbering pace.

Financial terms were not immediately available although a Dallas radio station said the contract was worth $8.75 million US. Matvichuk, 31, had 21 points (1-20) and 36 penalty minutes in 75 games last season while earning $2.2 million with the Dallas Stars, the only NHL club he's played for in 12 seasons.

The 6-2, 215-pound native of Edmonton is a physical force on the blue-line, a defensive defenceman who should be a good fit on the Devils.

Other moves Monday:

- The St. Louis Blues re-signed unrestricted free-agent centre Mike Sillinger to a two-year, $2.7-million deal. The 33-year-old had 10 points (5-5) in 16 games after the Blues acquired him late last season;

- The Pittsburgh Penguins signed unrestricted free-agent tough guy Ryan VandenBussche to a two-year, $1.1-million deal;

- The Phoenix Coyotes signed unrestricted free-agent winger Sheldon Keefe to a one-year contract.

The signings have trickled in at a snail's pace since the free-agent market opened July 1, most clubs cautious with their money with an NHL lockout staring them into the face.

While Craig Conroy, Brian Rolston, Mark Recchi and Mike Ricci are among the free agents to sign deals since July 1, there remains a bevy of big names still out there as unrestricted free agents, the likes of Alexei Kovalev, Pavol Demitra, Paul Kariya, Glen Murray, Mathieu Schneider, Alexei Zhitnik, Brendan Shanahan, Petr Nedved, Ziggy Palffy, Eric Lindros, Peter Bondra, Jason Allison, Anson Carter and Alexei Zhamnov.

"People are still trying to figure out the market for high-end guys," Murray's agent Anton Thun said Monday from Mississauga. "No disrespect to anyone, but so far most of the signings have involved mid-range players."

The action may pick up this week with teams and agents having had over 10 days to do their homework and feel out the market.

Netminder Kevin Weekes, who became an unrestricted free agent after the Carolina Hurricanes opted not to tender him a qualifying offer, may find a new home this week.

"There's interest from multiple teams," his agent Paul Theofanous said Monday from New York. "Something could happen this week."

Among the interest suitors is a Canadian-based NHL club.

Theofanous also represents unrestricted free agent Michael Nylander, a gifted offensive talent who finished last season with Boston.

"There's been deep interest in him," Theofanous said. "I've had lots of calls."

The Bruins are among the clubs who have made an offer to the 31-year-old Nylander, who missed most of last season with a broken leg but came back to record 14 points (1-13) in 18 games with Washington and Boston and was arguably the Bruins' top forward in their first-round loss to Montreal, scoring six points (3-3) in six games.

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old Shanahan and his agent Rick Curran continue to talk with the Detroit Red Wings. Curran said Monday he had not talked to any other team than the Wings.

Restricted free agent Chris Pronger and his agent Pat Morris have not had any conversations with the St. Louis Blues since July 1. The Blues tendered Pronger a $9.5-million qualifying offer in order to protect his rights, but the Pronger camp has yet to decide whether to accept it.

Restricted free agents have until July 31 to accept their qualifying offers.

PIERRE LEBRUN; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[Serena]

I'm really sorry to hear that about Steve Yzerman. Everyone has so much respect for this man, and it is well deserved. Typical of him to pull himself out, knowing he couldn't give his usual 110%! So unfortunate these injuries that have plagued him these last few years. But he truly is the gentleman he appears. The NHL won't be quite the same after he retires. Especially the Red Wings.

Thanks, yudansha.

 

[yudansha]

The Red Wings seem to be separating ... I'm not getting a good vibe (good for Leafs!)

Yzerman is a great guy and one of those legendary players as well.
Red Wings won't be the same without him.

You're welcome, Serena.

 

[yudansha]

Roberto Luongo, Vincent Lecavalier to follow Thornton to Europe?

(CP) - Joe Thornton may not be the only NHL star to sign on with a European club.

Florida Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo and Tampa Bay Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier have both looked into the idea, as have a number of high-profile players who hope to keep playing hockey during a possible NHL lockout.

"I've had a few talks (with a Swiss league team) but right now it's kind of quiet. We'll wait and see," said Luongo, in Toronto for a Hockey Canada charity golf tournament Tuesday.

"I'll be honest with you, I really don't know right now. I'll probably have a meeting with my agent later this week and we'll discuss it. I know my first idea was to go over there and play for sure, but now I'm 50-50 on it. I haven't decided yet."

Lecavalier will also wait and see.

"Yes, I've been thinking about it although I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet," Lecavalier said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I've been discussing it with a couple of teams over there, but nothing's decided.

"I know a lot of guys who are going and I want to keep my options open."

Mike York of the Edmonton Oilers signed with a German league team last month while star defenceman Sergei Gonchar of the Boston Bruins is expected to sign on with a Russian league team. Like Thornton, all of the star players want an opt-out clause that permits them to leave Europe if the lockout ends and the NHL resumes.

"No question, I would want that for sure," Lecavalier said.

-

MATVICHUK'S DEAL: While Richard Matvichuk's four-year contract with the New Jersey Devils is officially worth $1.8 million US a season as stated on the NHLPA's website, for a total of $7.2 million, the veteran defenceman will actually earn $8.4 million because of guaranteed bonuses.

Matvichuk will receive a $300,000 bonus at the end of each season on top of his $1.8 million salary, giving him $2.1 million a year.

-

CANADA COACHES: Team Canada's coaching staff of Pat Quinn, Jacques Martin, Ken Hitchcock and Wayne Fleming met in Banff, Alta., two weeks ago to formulate the official game plan for the World Cup of Hockey.

"We had an itinerary of things we wanted to discuss, just like we did for Salt Lake," Quinn said. " We had a lot of things to go over, we just wanted to make sure everything was in place, everything from daily schedules to discussions of the roster to a technical package - basically a system of play.

"So we spent three days going through everything so that we would be ready when the guys come in at training camp (Aug. 20)."

Quinn said everybody got along just fine despite the harsh words exchanged between Martin and Hitchcock after the Ottawa-Philadelphia brawl last season.

"They're like the odd couple, they're both funny," Quinn said. "We can't shut Hitch up, he keeps babbling away. But it's an interesting group. There's a lot of respect there for each other, I feel fortunate to be working with them."

-

VINNY D: The agent for 36-year-old unrestricted free agent Vincent Damphousse says he's had talks with NHL clubs on both sides of the border.

"We've spoken to several clubs and some of them have interest but want to wait and see what happens," Bob Sauve said Tuesday from Montreal. "So yes, there's interest in him, but nothing concrete at this point."

Damphousse had 41 points (12-29) in 82 games with San Jose in 2003-04, his fifth full season with the Sharks after coming over from Montreal in March 1999.

The Sharks are not among the teams inquiring about Damphousse.

"Not right now, but things can change, depending on what happens as the summer goes on," Sauve said.

Either way, retirement is not an option for Damphousse, who has 1,205 career points (432-773) in 1,378 games with Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal and San Jose.

"Vincent would like to play two more years, and he can certainly do it," Sauve said.

PIERRE LEBRUN; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[Serena]

Thanks for those articles, yudansha. I enjoyed those.

I avidly read the sports section daily during hockey and football season, but not always every day during the summer. Then when these deals and trades take effect in the fall, I'm like, "Okay. When did this happen?"

 

[yudansha]

Too bad about Yzerman though huh ...

... I really enjoyed watching him play. I hated it so much when Pavel Bure decided to call it quits ... he was my favourite player.

There's alot more trading deals going on, but they're minor...

You're welcome, Serena.

 

[yudansha]

What's your take on salary caps in sports?

NHL and NHL Players' Association to resume talks July 21 in New York

TORONTO (CP) - The two sides in the NHL labour talks are heading back to the bargaining table next week in New York.

The current collective bargaining agreement, twice been extended over the last 10 years, expires Sept. 15 - the day after the World Cup championship game in Toronto. If there is no resolution to collective bargaining talks by then, a lockout is expected.

Bob Goodenow, executive director of the NHLPA, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will both be at next Wednesday's meeting. The key issue facing them is what the NHL likes to call "cost certainty."

The NHLPA refuses to buy into any system that either resembles a salary cap or guarantees a percentage of revenues to the league's owners.

"The NHLPA has approached all meetings with a view towards negotiating a fair agreement for both sides," NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin said Thursday in Toronto. "To date, the NHL has been fixated on a cap and that will not allow us to make any progress.

"Hopefully the NHL will take a more flexible approach in our upcoming discussions."

The solution to the impasse may only come if the league settles for a luxury tax system, something the union is willing to embrace.

Should that happen, the question will be at what figure does the payroll tax kick in? Should it be $40 million US, $45 million, $50 million, or more? It definitely has to have more bite to it than Major League Baseball's luxury tax, which last year only penalized clubs that had a payroll of more than $117 million. As a result, only the New York Yankees were taxed.

As it stands right now, the NHL wants a labour agreement that ensures costs won't overrun revenues. The union says the league's proposal, no matter how it is worded, amounts to a hard salary cap - which it has refused to accept.

The NHLPA says it has proposed a system that includes revenue sharing, a luxury tax, a one-time five per cent rollback in salaries and some changes to the entry-level system.

But the league wants a system that guarantees that costs "bear a rational relationship" to revenues.

According to the league's numbers, which the union doesn't buy, 75 per cent of total revenues in 2002-03 went to player costs, leaving only 25 per cent to pay for coaches, travel, building costs, marketing and advertising. That's not enough to make money, in the NHL's eyes.

PIERRE LEBRUN; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

BIG news! ... hockey...

Heatley indicted in 2003 car crash that killed teammate

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Thrashers star Dany Heatley was indicted Friday on vehicular homicide and five other charges in the 2003 wreck that claimed the life of his teammate Dan Snyder.

Dany Heatley listens to a reporter's question at a news conference last year. (AP/John Bazemore)​

The Fulton County district attorney, Paul Howard, announced the indictment. Police estimated that Heatley was driving his black Ferrari convertible at 80 mph when it ran into a brick pillar and iron fence on Sept. 29, 2003.

Snyder, 25, died after several days in a coma, and Heatley broke his jaw and tore two ligaments in his knee. He returned to playing with the team in January.

Heatley, the MVP of the 2003 NHL League All-Star game, was in Canada on Friday preparing for the upcoming season, the team said.

Authorities said Heatley had consumed some alcohol but was not intoxicated at the time of the wreck.

HARRY R. WEBER

___________

Former Blues player Mike Danton pleads guilty to murder-for-hire

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - Former St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton admitted in U.S. federal court Friday that he sought to have his agent killed as part of a plot that unravelled when the would-be hit man turned out to be a police informant.

Mike Danton. (AP)​

Danton, who was to have been tried in September with co-defendant Katie Wolfmeyer and was scheduled for a pretrial hearing next week, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause a person to travel in interstate commerce to commit murder.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, the U.S. government dropped a related charge of making a telephone call in connection with a murder-for-hire plot.

Sentencing was set for Oct. 22. Danton, a native of Brampton, Ont., could face seven to 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 US in fines.

"Obviously, this is what I think is a good result," Stephen Clark, the case's lead federal prosecutor, told reporters afterward. "I think it's a fair deal."

Danton, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, spoke little during the hearing and hung his head occasionally when U.S. district judge William Stiehl outlined the case against him. Danton replied to the judge's questions with a "yes" or "no" before declaring: "I plead guilty."

Federal prosecutors have agreed to let Danton serve his possible prison time in his native Canada, though Stiehl cautioned Danton that the deal may bar him from re-entering the United States.

Danton, 23, and Wolfmeyer - a 19-year-old college student from the St. Louis suburb of Florissant - had faced identical murder-for-hire conspiracy charges, with Wolfmeyer accused of trying to hire the would-be killer of Danton's agent, David Frost.

The would-be killer - identified by the government for the first time in court Friday as Justin Jones, a Columbia, Ill., police dispatcher - eventually went to police, and Frost was unharmed.

Danton has been jailed since his arrest April 16 in San Jose, Calif., a day after the San Jose Sharks eliminated the Blues from the playoffs. The Blues released Danton on July 1. He's now an unrestricted free agent.

Clark, the prosecutor, told Stiehl that Danton had promised to pay Jones $10,000 to kill Frost. Danton apparently told Jones that the person he wanted slain would be in the athlete's suburban St. Louis apartment and that $3,000 for Jones could be found in an unlocked safe there, Clark said.

Jones ultimately reported the plot to authorities, who secretly taped many of the conversations Danton later had with him and Wolfmeyer.

In one such call, Clark said, Danton told Jones that "somebody was coming from Canada to kill (Danton)" - and that that person could be found in Danton's apartment. Danton directed Jones to make the killing appear like a botched burglary, Clark said.

In another conversation - while Danton was with the Blues in California during the playoffs - Danton told Wolfmeyer by telephone as the plot supposedly was being hatched, "I owe you guys so much," Clark said.

"Yeah, you do," Clark said Wolfmeyer replied.

Clark declined to say how Danton's guilty plea may affect the case against Wolfmeyer, still scheduled for trial here beginning Sept. 1.

Donald Groshong, a Wolfmeyer lawyer who attended Friday's hearing, said he hoped Danton's admission "may lead the government to reconsider its position and do the honorable thing and dismiss its case" against Wolfmeyer.

Wolfmeyer, who has pleaded not guilty, has been portrayed by her attorneys as a naive young woman simply smitten with an athlete who ultimately manipulated her.

JIM SALTER;


© The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Boston re-signs Samsonov, Flames re-sign Marcus Nilson

(CP) - The Boston Bruins re-signed star winger Sergei Samsonov on Tuesday while the Calgary Flames agreed to terms with Marcus Nilson, locking up one of their key players from this spring's playoff run.

Edmonton Oilers Petr Nedved (right) gets hit into the boards by Calgary Flames Marcus Nilson in this 2004 file photo. (CP Archive/Jeff McIntosh)​

Samsonov accepted his one-year, $3.65-million US qualifying offer. "This is great news for us," Bruins GM Mike O'Connell said in a statement. "Sergei is one of the most creative and dynamic players in the game and he's an exciting player for our fans.

"He has been a bit unlucky with injuries over the past couple of seasons, but we're confident that those are behind him and we are really looking forward to having his talents for an entire season."

Samsonov, 25, has played in just 66 games over the past two seasons due to right wrist surgery (74 games missed in 2002-03), a knee sprain (nine games missed in 2003-04) and a rib injury (14 games missed in 2003-04). But he picked up 22 goals and 29 assists in that span.

He was fifth on the team last season with 17 goals and led the Bruins in playoff scoring with seven points (2-5) in the seven-game playoff loss to Montreal.

Nilson, 26, had 24 points (11-13) in 83 games with Florida and Calgary last season. The two-way forward finished fourth in Flames playoff scoring with 11 points (4-7) in 26 games.

The Flames acquired Nilson from the Panthers in March in exchange for a second-round draft choice.

"Marcus is an excellent two-way player with great versatility being able to play more than one forward position," Flames coach and GM Darryl Sutter said in a statement. "He was a very important part of our playoff run last season and with his age and ability he fits into what we are building here in Calgary.

"His leadership and style of play fit well in the identity we are creating."

Rival Edmonton was also busy. Michigan State forward Brock Radunske signed a three-year deal with the Oilers and will forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility with the Spartans.

The six-foot-four, 196-pound native of New Hamburg, Ont., was selected by the Oilers in the third round, 79th overall, of the 2002 entry draft. In 42 college games last winter, Radunske scored 12 goals, assisted on 10 and had 60 penalty minutes.

In other moves Tuesday:

- The Washington Capitals re-signed centre Jeff Halpern to a one-year contract. Halpern, 28, led the Caps with 46 points (19-27) in 79 games last season - all career highs.

- The New York Rangers agreed to terms with free-agent defenceman Jason Strudwick. The 28-year-old one goal, three assists and 73 penalty minutes in 54 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. The Rangers also signed minor-league defenceman Trevor Gillies.

- The Minnesota Wild re-signed defenceman Alex Henry to a one-year deal. The 24-year-old skated in a career-high 71 games last season and recorded six points (2-4).

Also Tuesday, Mark Kumpel, who played 288 NHL games for Quebec, Winnipeg and Detroit in the 1980s and early 1990s, is the new head coach of the United Hockey League's Port Huron Beacons.

The Massachusetts native spent the last five years as an assistant coach with the AHL's Portland Pirates.

© The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

What are you thoughts on this matter?

Todd Bertuzzi assault case put over to Aug. 10 in provincial court

VANCOUVER (CP) - The assault case against Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi has been put over to Aug. 10 while his defence team pores over the stack of police evidence disclosed by prosecutors.

Mike Sopher (left) and Michael Riediger both originally from Winnipeg, stand outside B.C. Provincial Court in support of Vancouver Canucks Todd Bertuzzi as the Bertuzz assault case continues to inch its way through court in Vancouver Thursday. (CP/Chuck Stoody)​

Crown and defence lawyers appeared in court Thursday to ask a judge to give them time to complete the process. Bertuzzi's lawyer, Len Doust, said there are no difficulties in the process - just a lot of information from the police investigation to examine.

Doust said little to the phalanx of reporters waiting for him outside the court and was chased down the street as he walked away.

Asked if thought the trial would get going before the end of the year he said it's anyone's guess.

"I just have no idea. It's up to the court," Doust said, as TV crews pushed each other and hit the ground trying to get a shot of the hockey star's lawyer.

The scene was just a hint of the chaos that will surely erupt when Bertuzzi has to appear in court. He will be compelled to appear at his arraignment and a date for that will likely be set Aug. 10.

"Aside from the media attention this case is being treated in an ordinary fashion, although there was a significant police investigation resulting in a large amount of material that we have to sift through," Crown spokesman Geoff Gaul said.

He wouldn't discuss how many witnesses the prosecution plans to call or the nature of the evidence against Bertuzzi.

"It's our belief we have a strong case of substance," Gaul said.

"For the accused and the public, I don't want to give this impression that we are trying this case in the media. Mr. Bertuzzi, like any other accused, is to be presumed innocent."

Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm for a March 8 sucker-punch that left Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore with a broken neck, among other injuries, and his NHL career in doubt.

Bertuzzi was suspended for the rest of the season and faces a hearing with the NHL before he can play again. He forfeited more than $500,000 US in lost salary.

The power forward was also left off Team Canada's roster for this fall's World Cup.

If convicted, Bertuzzi could face a penalty ranging from 18 months in jail to an absolute discharge with no criminal record.

The case has driven apart fans who support the charge and those who think the NHL should have been left to deal with the case.

A gaggle of young girls dressed as fairies said they hope Bertuzzi sees them on TV supporting him.

"He needs a fairy watching over him," said Kayla Larkin, 16, her face covered in glitter.

"I think Bertuzzi has been punished enough. He missed a lot of the season, he missed the playoffs, he was fined, I don't think he should be punished any more. Hockey is a really rough sport."

AMY CARMICHAEL; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Leafs re-sign defenceman Bryan McCabe and centre Nik Antropov

TORONTO (CP) - Defenceman Bryan McCabe has landed a $10-million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who also have re-signed centre Nik Antropov.

McCabe, who was paid $3.5 million US last season, will get $4.5 million next season and $5.5 million the following season in the two-year deal signed two days before a scheduled salary arbitration hearing. Antropov got a one-year deal worth $1.325 million after making $925,000 last season.

McCabe amassed 53 points last season and had a team-best 22 plus-minus rating. He was named to the NHL's second all-star team, and he finished fourth in voting for the Norris Trophy for best defenceman.

He's "one of the top-performing defencemen" in the NHL, GM John Ferguson said in announcing the deal Thursday.

"He is a versatile player who is used in all key situations and has developed into a team leader," said Ferguson.

The 29-year-old played in 75 games for Toronto last season and had 16 goals, 37 assists and 86 penalty minutes. He was the first Toronto defenceman since Borje Salming in 1979-80 to be named to one of the league's year-end all-star teams.

The native of St. Catharines, Ont., ranked third among NHL defencemen in goals, fourth in points, fifth in assists and fifth in power-play goals. Among all players, he was ninth in average ice time - 25 minutes 43 seconds, 19th in plus-minus, 21st in power play assists (18) and 24th in power play points (26).

In 13 playoff games last spring, he had three goals and five assists.

In 708 NHL games for the New York Islanders, Vancouver, Chicago and Toronto, McCabe has 76 goals, 194 assists and 1,262 penalty minutes. He was originally the New York Islanders' second choice, 40th overall, in the 1993 entry draft.

Antropov, 24, signed four days before a scheduled salary arbitration hearing. Last season he had 13 goals and 18 assists in 62 games and added two assists in 13 playoff games.

In 263 NHL games, the native of Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, has 48 goals, 77 assists and 261 penalty minutes. He was Toronto's first choice, 10th overall, in the 1998 entry draft.

© The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Brett Hull signs with Phoenix, Chris Phillips re-signs with Senators

(CP) - Brett Hull is going to the dogs.
Well, kind of. He does turn 40 on Monday, but he's not over the hockey hill quite yet. The unrestricted free agent and prolific goal scorer signed a two-year, $4.5-million US contract Friday with the Phoenix Coyotes - the desert dogs of the NHL. He can also earn more in performance bonuses.

The pact will give Hull the chance to get the 61 goals he needs to pass Gordie Howe and move into second place on the all-time goal-scoring list behind Wayne Gretzky, who as managing partner of the Coyotes played a major role in recruiting his former teammate.

Gretzky was delighted that GM Mike Barnett was able to close the deal. Barnett had a special interest in signing Hull, too: he's The Golden Brett's former agent.

"Brett Hull is one of the most talented goal scorers in NHL history," said Barnett. "He is a dynamic player who creates excitement every time he enters the offensive zone.

"He has contributed significantly to winning Stanley Cups in both Detroit and Dallas. We not only look forward to the experience and passion he will bring to his teammates here in Phoenix but also to the pure entertainment he will provide to our fans."

Hull joins Mike Ricci, Boyd Devereaux and Sean O'Donnell in the Coyotes' free-agent summer pickup bin.

Last season with Detroit, Hull scored 25 goals - 10 on power plays - and assisted on 43 for 68 points in 81 games while earning $5 million.

The 18-year veteran has 741 career goals. Howe had 801 and Gretzky 894.

Hull, the 1991 league MVP after an 86-goal campaign, might be old but he's durable. He's played 403 of a possible 410 games in the last seven seasons. He earned Stanley Cup rings with Dallas in 1999 and with Detroit in 2002.

The five-foot-11 forward from Belleville, Ont., will play for the United States in the World Cup tournament, Aug. 30-Sept. 14. Using his dual citizenship, he's played for the Americans ever since the mid-1980s when Canada opted not to invite him to play in world championships. Back then, nobody thought he'd amount to much. He was drafted by Calgary in the sixth round, 117th overall, in 1984.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators re-signed defenceman Chris Phillips and forward Peter Schaefer.

Phillips was content he got the security of a three-year deal worth about $8 million just before his scheduled salary arbitration hearing Friday.

"It's a big relief not to have to go through that," he said on the phone. "It's also nice to be locked in for three years.

"Initially, we weren't sure if they were going to be up for that. A lot of teams are signing guys to one-year deals. I'm very excited (the Senators) showed me a lot of commitment and confidence in me by putting forward a three-year deal."

GM John Muckler also was happy to get it done, too.

"Chris is an aggressive hockey player and you need that ingredient," Muckler said from San Francisco. "He'll play a major role with our team."

The new deal averages out to about $2.6 million a year for the native of Calgary, 26, who was paid $1.675 million last season when he had career highs in goals (7) and points (23) and tied his career high in assists (16) while playing all 82 regular-season games.

Schaefer got a two-year deal worth $2.5 million to double his annual salary from the $600,000 he earned last season when he had career highs in assists (24) and points (39) in 81 games. The native of Yellow Grass, Sask., 27, tied for second on the team in plus-minus with a plus-22.

The six-foot-three Phillips is an imposing figure on the Ottawa blue-line, especially when paired with six-foot-nine Zdeno Chara. Muckler would like to sign the Slovak giant before a scheduled Wednesday hearing.

"We're going to continue to work on that right up to the arbitration date if we have to," said Muckler.

Phillips has spent all of his seven NHL seasons with the Senators since being draft first overall in 1996.

"I feel I still have a lot of room to grow and to get better," he said. "It's a goal of mine to continue to get better each and every year and ultimately help this team win a Stanley Cup."

Since Ottawa was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round last spring, Muckler has brought in a new head coach, Bryan Murray, and signed former league MVP Dominik Hasek to tend goal.

"Maybe the changes will get the guys excited about the team we have and in making another push for it," said Phillips. "We've had a great regular-season team over the last number of years but just haven't been able to make that extra push.

"Maybe now, with the changes, we'll be able to achieve that and get to the next level."

In Philadelphia, Michal Handzus, 27, agreed to a three-year contract with the Flyers rather than proceed with his Tuesday hearing. The six-foot-five Slovak centre will be paid $2.8 million next season - up from $1.53 million last season when he had 20 goals and 38 assists for a career-best 58 points.

"Michal has been an integral part of our team for the past two seasons and will continue to be a key member in the future," said GM Bob Clarke. "We are extremely happy to have him signed to a long-term deal."

In Buffalo, N.Y., forward Jochen Hecht, 27, avoided a Sunday hearing by agreeing play for $2.1 million - up from $1.3 million last season.

Hecht is "a strong contributor to our team on the ice and in the locker room last season," said GM Darcy Regier. The German had 15 goals and 37 assists for a career-high 52 points in 64 games last season after missing the first 17 games with a broken arm.

"He has proven that he is one of our top forwards and is part of our leadership core of players in our organization," said Regier.

In other moves Friday:

- Goaltender Mikael Tellqvist re-signed with Toronto for $500,000 next season and forward Clarke Wilm agreed to a deal worth $450,000 at the big-league level.

- Right-winger Richard Park re-signed with the Minnesota Wild.

- The Florida Panthers re-signed LW Ryan Jardine for one year.

- The Washington Capitals signed D Jeff Paul to a one-year contract.

- The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with American college goalie Craig Kowalski and goaltender Rob Zepp.

NEIL STEVENS; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[Serena]

Thanks for this article, yudansha.

Brett Hull is truly a great hockey player. He contributed much to the Red Wings and I was sorry to see him go, but I really hope he'll be happy in Phonex.

Arizona. Hockey in the desert. :indiffere Some things I'll just never get.

 

[yudansha]

LOL Serena I don't get it either...

... same with Tampa Bay... their ice melts inside of the cooled (A/Ced) stadium... I think they should take a hint... (they got lucky this season though )

Brett Hull is an excellent hockey player, but the Phoenix team is owned by Gretzky now, so I wouldn't be surprised if the team turns around and stars doing good in the future.

You're welcome, for the article, Serena

 

[yudansha]

Toronto goalie Ed Belfour pulls out of World Cup of Hockey

(CP) - Veteran goalie Ed Belfour has pulled out of the World Cup of Hockey less than two weeks before Team Canada opens training camp in Ottawa, citing a back problem. The Toronto Maple Leafs netminder informed Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky of his decision Monday.

"I talked to Eddie this morning and unfortunately he won't be able to play," Gretzky told The Canadian Press in a phone interview. "He's got a back problem, a back injury."

The 39-year-old Belfour, who has history of back problems, would have been the No. 2 or No. 3 goalie behind Olympic starter Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils. Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers, who has led Canada to back-to-back world championship gold medals, is also on the team.

Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens is the leading candidate to replace Belfour while Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars, J.S. Giguere of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Sean Burke of the Philadelphia Flyers have outside chances.

Gretzky said he would confer with the rest of the Canadian management team, Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini, and likely name Belfour's replacement in the next few days.

Belfour, a native of Carmen, Man., went 34-19-6 with the Leafs last season while posting a 2.13 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and registering 10 shutouts.

He was brilliant in Toronto's first-round playoff win over Ottawa this spring and that was a major factor in him being named to Team Canada on May 15, edging out Theodore.

"I feel horrible for Eddie," Gretzky said. "He was so wonderful in Salt Lake City, just tremendous in the locker-room and great with the guys. I felt like he would get an opportunity to play (at the World Cup).

"So I'm really disappointed for Eddie."

The good news is that Canada has no shortage of talent in goal with the likes of Theodore, Turco, Giguere and Andrew Raycroft to choose from, just to name a few.

"We have a lot of depth in our country, we don't lack ability, so we're pretty fortunate that way that we have a couple of goalies to choose from now that could have been on the team originally," Gretzky said.

Belfour joins Steve Yzerman and Rob Blake as three high-profile veterans from the Olympic champion team in Salt Lake having to pull out because of injury after first being named to the team May 15.

"You don't replace an Yzerman, not just for what he does on the ice, but his leadership off the ice," Gretzky said, while also praising Blake and Belfour. "He's one of the greatest leaders we've had in this game.

"He played the gold medal game in Salt Lake City basically on one foot."

Centre Vincent Lecavalier replaced Yzerman and defenceman Scott Hannan took over for Blake. The final 26-player roster must be submitted to World Cup organizers Aug. 29, on the eve of the Aug. 30-Sept. 14 NHL tournament.

With Yzerman, Blake and Belfour out, it's a younger Team Canada which will open camp Aug. 20 in Ottawa and kick off its tournament Aug. 31 in Montreal against the defending World Cup champion United States.

"There's no question we have a lot of new blood on this team and it's a bit of a different mix from Salt Lake, but all of these guys have been through the Canadian system, whether it'd be world juniors or world championships, that's what is so great about our program," Gretzky said.

"They'll have tremendous leadership from guys like Adam Foote, Mario Lemieux, Jarome Iginla, guys who have been there before."

It's not clear at this point whether Belfour, who signed a multi-year contact extension with the Leafs on June 30, is seriously injured or not.

"We are in the process of gathering information on Ed Belfour's status," Leafs GM John Ferguson said in a statement released late Monday afternoon.

"We will provide more information when our club doctors have had an opportunity to examine him."

Belfour was out a month late last season with a back injury but rebounded with a strong playoff.

PIERRE LEBRUN; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Senators re-sign Zdeno Chara to two-year, $9.5-million US deal

OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators re-signed Zdeno Chara to a two-year, $9.5-million US contract Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration.

Ottawa Senator Zdeno Chara celebrates a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during last season's playoffs. (CP/Ryan Remiorz)​

"He's a premier defenceman," GM John Muckler said in announcing the deal. Chara, who was paid $2.4 million last season, will make $4.6 million in 2004-05 and $4.9 million in 2005-06. "I'm very, very pleased the deal got done," Chara said from his native Slovakia. "I think both sides are happy."

An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday. Last week, the Senators reached a two-year contract agreement with Chris Phillips hours before his scheduled hearing.

"It's healthy for the organization," Muckler told reporters. "Arbitration is not the nicest thing to go through.

"It's nice to solve all our problems within the family and that's what we did."

Chara, a six-foot-nine blue-liner, was runner-up to the New Jersey Devils' Scott Niedermayer for the Norris Trophy last season after recording career highs in goals (16) and points (41) in 79 games last season. His plus-33 rating was third-best in the NHL.

The 260-pound hulk is an intimidating roadblock to opposing forwards and also is a fixture on Ottawa's power play.

"Chara, Phillips and (Wade) Redden are the core of our defence and we think they're as good as any three in the league," said Muckler. "All three of them can get better and, for us to be successful, they have to get better."

Keeping the core of the team together, and signing unrestricted free-agent goalie Dominik Hasek, gives the Senators reason for optimism, said Chara.

"Ottawa probably has one of the best back ends in the league," he said. "It's a young defence but, for its age, it's quite experienced.

"Bringing in Dominik will help, too. The next couple of years should be our years. We feel strongly about it. Everybody can't wait to start the season and go for the (Stanley) Cup."

Chara said one of the reasons his reputation has grown is that he's never satisfied.

"I always want to get better," he said. "I am committed to work hard to improve every year.

"The other factor is that I'm surrounded by great players and great teammates."

Since joining the Senators for the 2001-2002 season, Chara has a league-best plus-92 rating. He was acquired from the New York Islanders on June 23, 2001, with Bill Muckalt and the second overall draft pick (Jason Spezza) for Alexei Yashin. He was the Islanders' third-round pick, 56th overall, in the 1996 entry draft.

Matt Keator, Chara's Boston-based agent, described the new contract as "a bridge to a longer-term deal."

Chara will be in Slovakia's lineup for the World Cup of Hockey, Aug. 30-Sept. 14. His country's training camp opens in Ottawa late next week.

"Having camp in Ottawa is a big plus," said Chara. "I can't wait to see my friends there."

The deal came together late Monday, said Muckler.

"He was almost on the airplane (to Toronto) for arbitration," he said. "He'll be happy he didn't have to pay for the ticket."

Said Chara: "I was on the way out the door when I heard the phone ring."

The arbitration process results in one-year contracts and many players opt for the security of multiyear deals and re-sign before their hearings.

"One thing that has really helped us is the type of team we have," said Muckler. "It shows the players want to be part of the organization and we're very proud of the fact that's the way it is.

"In the two years I've been here, the co-operation we've received from the players is tremendous and it seems to be continuing this season."

Forward Martin Havlat remains the most prominent Ottawa player yet to be re-signed, and Muckler said "he'll be the next one we have to concentrate on."

© The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Beware: the Russians are coming! :=))

Russian roster for World Cup of Hockey remains a work in progress

(CP) - It's anybody's guess who'll show up for Russia's World Cup of Hockey training camp.

Alexei Zhitnik is the latest NHL star to indicate he probably won't be in Kloten, Switzerland, a week Thursday. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin of the Tampa Bay Lightning previously declared his disinterest, citing "total chaos" in Russia's preparations for the previous World Cup tournament, and the name of San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who had arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this summer, no longer appears on the Russian roster either.

Zhitnik, who played for the Buffalo Sabres last season and who now is an unrestricted free agent, will likely to give Kloten the kibosh, too, says his agent, Mark Gandler.

"He wants to play but he has a pretty serious problem with his insurance because he doesn't have a contract," Gandler said Monday. "As of today, we would say no.

"He would love to play but, if he can't, he can't."

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association jointly organize the World Cup tournament and are responsible along with players' home federations for arranging insurance against injury. Players under NHL contract are insured for the balance of their NHL contracts while players not under NHL contracts are insured for two years of projected earnings. Zhitnik apparently is disatisfied with the level of insurance being offered him.

Lest fans fear missing out on seeing Russian teen Alexander Ovechkin, the unsigned No. 1 pick by the Washington Capitals in the NHL's June entry draft, agent Don Meehan gave assurances Monday that Ovechkin will play. Meehan said he's asked for but hasn't been provided by the Russian federation with full details of insurance coverage.

"He's going to play, no matter what," said Meehan.

There are players on other World Cup teams who don't currently have contracts, for example, Canada's Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and Dany Heatley of the Atlanta Thrashers, who are restricted free agents. Insurance is not an issue with either player and they'll be in camp in Ottawa a week Friday.

The Russian entry has been beset with dissent from the outset. Friends of the just-retired Igor Larionov were miffed he wasn't given a managerial role and there was controversy over who would be head coach. Zinetula Bilyaletdinov was eventually selected over the legendary but controversial Viktor Tikhonov.

Russian didn't name players until nearly a week after the May deadline. There now is concern that some of its players won't be able to obtain work visas for the United States.

Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, who played for Anaheim's AHL affiliate in Cincinnati last winter, has been added to the Russian roster. He's highly regarded. He had a .919 save percentage last season. The only other goalie on their list is Maxim Sokolov, who plays for Avangard Omst in the Russian elite league.

Some big names have been erased from the tournament, and they aren't all Russian.

Goaltender Ed Belfour pulled out of Canada's team Monday. Back problems were blamed. A substitute has yet to be named. Earlier, Canada had to delete Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman and Colorado Avalanche defenceman Rob Blake because they've not completely recovered from injuries. Same for Philadelphia Flyers centre Jeremy Roenick, who was scratched from the U.S. lineup and replaced by Scott Gomez of the New Jersey Devils.

Robert Lang of the Red Wings withdrew from the Czech team without explanation and was replaced by Anaheim forward Petr Sykora.

Philadelphia forward Sami Kapanen said after being named by Finland that he was too worn out from the NHL season to play in the World Cup. Niklas Hagman of the Florida Panthers takes his spot, and when Jere Karalahti was ruled ineligible the Finns opted for defenceman Janne Niinimaa of the New York Islanders.

NEIL STEVENS; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[yudansha]

Plea in Bertuzzi case expected Aug. 26, but star may not be there

VANCOUVER (CP) - A provincial court will hear Todd Bertuzzi's plea Aug. 26, but the Vancouver Canucks star may not be in court to make it.

Bertuzzi's lawyer Len Doust said Tuesday his client doesn't have to appear to make the plea on a charge of assault causing bodily harm and Doust said he's not sure if Bertuzzi will come to court that day. Michael Mulligan, a Victoria criminal defence lawyer, said Bertuzzi's lawyer could attend most of the hearings on the hockey player's behalf if Bertuzzi pleads guilty or if there's a trial.

"So he would ultimately need to show up, assuming the plea is not guilty, for his trial," said Mulligan.

Bertuzzi was charged June 24 after Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore suffered a concussion and broken neck during a game March 8 between the rival teams vying to capture the top spot in their division.

Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL after the incident and missed 20 games. The Canucks struggled in the playoffs without Bertuzzi and were upset by the Calgary Flames in the first round.

Doust told Vancouver provincial court judge William Kitchen the next court date would be for an arraignment hearing.

On that day a plea is expected to be filed, a judge will determine how much time will be set aside for the trial and other issues such as evidence disclosure will be discussed.

Mulligan estimated a trial could easily be a year away.

"For a person who's charged - let alone somebody who's in the public eye like that - that delay can be a very difficult one. You're bearing in mind that person is presumed to be innocent and his name is all over the newspaper."

Five teenaged Bertuzzi fans showed up outside court Tuesday to lend their support.

Katie Gingera, 15, said Bertuzzi has already been punished by the NHL.

"I don't think it's right that he has to potentially go to jail for something he's already been penalized enough for, especially in a sport where you are encouraged to be violent."

The Vancouver Sun has applied to use recording devices and take photographs in court if Bertuzzi pleads not guilty and proceeds to a trial.

The newspaper's representatives also asked, on behalf of CanWest Global TV affiliates, that the court allow television cameras in the courtroom.

TERRI THEODORE; © The Canadian Press, 2004

 

[Serena]

Thanks, yudansha.

(CP) - Veteran goalie Ed Belfour has pulled out of the World Cup of Hockey less than two weeks before Team Canada opens training camp in Ottawa, citing a back problem. The Toronto Maple Leafs netminder informed Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky of his decision Monday......

I wonder what's really going with this whole World Cup of Hockey. I know some had legitimate injuries, but it seems as if the interest isn't as great as it used to be.

I loved this quote by Gretzky. "You don't replace an Yzerman, not just for what he does on the ice, but his leadership off the ice," Gretzky said, while also praising Blake and Belfour. "He's one of the greatest leaders we've had in this game. "He played the gold medal game in Salt Lake City basically on one foot."