NHL: Free Agency, Trade, Injury, and Rookie News!
- Thread starter Knightfall
- Start date
Bront
The man with the probe
Several timesWelverin said:
I'm sure this year will be odd. We'll see if a new style emerges, and who's actualy going to be usefull in that style, and if the year off hurt anyone. Can't put too much stock in anything this year, though the older guys may be in better shape with the year off of to recover.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Today's Transactions in the NHL (Mon., Aug. 8th)
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Jason Marshall.
Atlanta Thrashers - Signed unrestricted free agent forwards Scott Barney, Eric Boulton and Ramzi Abid.
Buffalo Sabres - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Mike Grier.
Carolina Hurricanes - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Matt Cullen.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Rick Nash. (The news broke yesterday, but today it is official.)
Detroit Red Wings - Signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Chris Osgood.
Los Angeles Kings - Agreed to terms with centre Eric Belanger on a one-year contract.
Minnesota Wild - Signed goaltender Miroslav Kopriva to a rookie contract.
Montreal Canadiens - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Pierre Dagenais.
San Jose Sharks - Re-signed restricted free agent defencemen Rob Davison and Jim Fahey.
Washington Capitals - Signed unrestricted free agent forwards Miroslav Zalesak and Ben Clymer.
Vancouver Canucks - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Richard Park.
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Jason Marshall.
Atlanta Thrashers - Signed unrestricted free agent forwards Scott Barney, Eric Boulton and Ramzi Abid.
Buffalo Sabres - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Mike Grier.
Carolina Hurricanes - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Matt Cullen.
Columbus Blue Jackets - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Rick Nash. (The news broke yesterday, but today it is official.)
Detroit Red Wings - Signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Chris Osgood.
Los Angeles Kings - Agreed to terms with centre Eric Belanger on a one-year contract.
Minnesota Wild - Signed goaltender Miroslav Kopriva to a rookie contract.
Montreal Canadiens - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Pierre Dagenais.
San Jose Sharks - Re-signed restricted free agent defencemen Rob Davison and Jim Fahey.
Washington Capitals - Signed unrestricted free agent forwards Miroslav Zalesak and Ben Clymer.
Vancouver Canucks - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Richard Park.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
However, the Big News of the Day is...
Copied over from www.tsn.ca
Bertuzzi reinstated for start of season
Canadian Press
8/8/2005 8:12:24 PM
The NHL has reinstated Todd Bertuzzi, saying the Vancouver Canuck forward has suffered enough for his sucker punch on Steve Moore, a decision Moore finds disappointing.
In announcing his decision Monday, commissioner Gary Bettman said Bertuzzi is ''immediately eligible'' to begin playing hockey.
In a 4,500-word ruling, Bettman said he believes Bertuzzi ''is genuinely remorseful and apologetic for his actions . . . and the consequences that have flowed from such actions.''
But Tim Danson, the lawyer representing Moore, said the former Colorado Avalanche player still doesn't know if he will ever be able to play hockey again.
"He is quite disappointed, given he is unable to resume his NHL career and may never resume his NHL career,'' Danson said in an interview.
''It's disappointing to him that Mr. Bertuzzi is able to resume his career at this particular time. Steve has an uncertain future. He's got health challenges to deal with.
''While he maintains a very positive attitude . . . at this point he really is in the hands of doctors who will have to make the determination whether or not he will be able to play again.''
Danson also denied published reports in a Toronto newspaper that a doctor has given medical clearance for Moore to play hockey again.
Bertuzzi was given an indefinite suspension for his March 8, 2004, sucker punch which resulted in Moore suffering a broken neck, cuts and a concussion.
Bettman said the 17 months Bertuzzi has been unable to play hockey cost him both financially and emotionally.
''After listening to Mr. Bertuzzi and his wife Julie Bertuzzi, I have no doubt that this period of indefinite suspension has been mark by uncertainty, anxiety, stress and emotional pain for the Bertuzzi family,'' he said.
But he warned Bertuzzi that he was ''on probation'' for the 2005-06 season.
''Mr. Bertuzzi is on notice that he will be held strictly accountable to a higher standard than other NHL players for his on-ice conduct during the 2005-06 season,'' he said.
Bertuzzi was suspended for the remaining 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the playoffs, which lasted only seven games for Vancouver after the Canucks lost to Calgary in the first round.
Bertuzzi's suspension also cost him a chance for play for Canada in the September 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the May 2005 IIHF world hockey championship. The IIHF respected the NHL's suspension and wouldn't let him play in Europe during the lockout.
The suspension cost Bertuzzi $501,926.39 US in salary. Bettman said Bertuzzi told him he had also lost another $350,000 in endorsements.
Hockey Canada has already sent a request to the Canucks that Bertuzzi be available for a Team Canada Olympic training camp next week in Vancouver and Kelowna.
''I'm glad the NHL has finally stepped in and put him back in the game and reinstated him,'' Wayne Gretzky, Team Canada's executive director, told TSN in an interview. ''Nobody condones what Todd did. I'm sure he'd be the first one to tell you it was a mistake.
''But you know it's time to move forward. We will invite him to our training camp. He's an elite player and I expect him to have a great year and be part of Team Canada come February in Italy.''
Canuck GM Dave Nonis said he spoke briefly with Bertuzzi.
''He was in good spirits and was very relieved,'' Nonis said.
''It's a decision he hoped he would receive and I think he's going to have a very good rest of the week.''
In December in Vancouver, Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and received a conditional discharge. He was sentenced to a year's probation and 80 hours of community service.
Part of that probation was that Bertuzzi not play hockey or engage ''in any other sporting activity involving Mr. Moore as a participant.''
''Subject to the continuing terms of the conditional discharge in Mr. Bertuzzi's criminal case and the `probationary period' which this decision imposes, Mr. Bertuzzi is immediately eligible for reinstatement for play in the NHL,'' Bettman said.
Asked about Moore's health, Danson said Moore has improved to the point where he is attempting to train.
''He's trying to get back to where he was,'' Danson said Monday prior to the announcement. ''There's challenges, He's moving along.''
''He is determined to make a full recovery and resume his NHL career,'' Danson added. ''However he has suffered very serious injuries and a serious head injury. He has to defer to the experts with respect to where he goes from here. Even if you make a full recovery by appearances, concussion injuries are a different kind of injury.''
Moore has filed a civil suit in Denver naming Bertuzzi, former Canucks forward Brad May, Canucks coach Marc Crawford, former GM Brian Burke and Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, which owns the team.
Bettman's decision was released the same day that Gretzky announced he was taking over as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
The commissioner said he believed Bertuzzi ''has paid a very significant price for his conduct on March 8, 2004.''
''I anticipate that there will be those who will say that Mr. Bertuzzi's 17-month suspension is inadequate, and not proportionate to suspensions imposed on other players for conduct that may be considered `less severe' than Mr. Bertuzzi's actions because of the work stoppage that wiped out the entire 2004-05 NHL season,'' said Bettman. ''I disagree.
''In light of the unusual circumstances surrounding the 2004-05 season, it is appropriate to consider not only the significant impact the suspension has had on Mr. Bertuzzi's NHL career, but also the impact that the league's suspension has had on Mr. Bertuzzi's ability to play professional hockey anywhere during this time, as well as the financial, criminal, civil and emotional consequences he has endured as a result of his conduct on March 8, 2004.''
Danson, meanwhile, said prior to the league announcement that Moore had undergone a comprehensive medical evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic in June. A follow-up examine is being conducted this week.
The results of that examination won't be known until at least the end of the month.
Copied over from www.tsn.ca
Bertuzzi reinstated for start of season
Canadian Press
8/8/2005 8:12:24 PM
The NHL has reinstated Todd Bertuzzi, saying the Vancouver Canuck forward has suffered enough for his sucker punch on Steve Moore, a decision Moore finds disappointing.
In announcing his decision Monday, commissioner Gary Bettman said Bertuzzi is ''immediately eligible'' to begin playing hockey.
In a 4,500-word ruling, Bettman said he believes Bertuzzi ''is genuinely remorseful and apologetic for his actions . . . and the consequences that have flowed from such actions.''
But Tim Danson, the lawyer representing Moore, said the former Colorado Avalanche player still doesn't know if he will ever be able to play hockey again.
"He is quite disappointed, given he is unable to resume his NHL career and may never resume his NHL career,'' Danson said in an interview.
''It's disappointing to him that Mr. Bertuzzi is able to resume his career at this particular time. Steve has an uncertain future. He's got health challenges to deal with.
''While he maintains a very positive attitude . . . at this point he really is in the hands of doctors who will have to make the determination whether or not he will be able to play again.''
Danson also denied published reports in a Toronto newspaper that a doctor has given medical clearance for Moore to play hockey again.
Bertuzzi was given an indefinite suspension for his March 8, 2004, sucker punch which resulted in Moore suffering a broken neck, cuts and a concussion.
Bettman said the 17 months Bertuzzi has been unable to play hockey cost him both financially and emotionally.
''After listening to Mr. Bertuzzi and his wife Julie Bertuzzi, I have no doubt that this period of indefinite suspension has been mark by uncertainty, anxiety, stress and emotional pain for the Bertuzzi family,'' he said.
But he warned Bertuzzi that he was ''on probation'' for the 2005-06 season.
''Mr. Bertuzzi is on notice that he will be held strictly accountable to a higher standard than other NHL players for his on-ice conduct during the 2005-06 season,'' he said.
Bertuzzi was suspended for the remaining 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the playoffs, which lasted only seven games for Vancouver after the Canucks lost to Calgary in the first round.
Bertuzzi's suspension also cost him a chance for play for Canada in the September 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the May 2005 IIHF world hockey championship. The IIHF respected the NHL's suspension and wouldn't let him play in Europe during the lockout.
The suspension cost Bertuzzi $501,926.39 US in salary. Bettman said Bertuzzi told him he had also lost another $350,000 in endorsements.
Hockey Canada has already sent a request to the Canucks that Bertuzzi be available for a Team Canada Olympic training camp next week in Vancouver and Kelowna.
''I'm glad the NHL has finally stepped in and put him back in the game and reinstated him,'' Wayne Gretzky, Team Canada's executive director, told TSN in an interview. ''Nobody condones what Todd did. I'm sure he'd be the first one to tell you it was a mistake.
''But you know it's time to move forward. We will invite him to our training camp. He's an elite player and I expect him to have a great year and be part of Team Canada come February in Italy.''
Canuck GM Dave Nonis said he spoke briefly with Bertuzzi.
''He was in good spirits and was very relieved,'' Nonis said.
''It's a decision he hoped he would receive and I think he's going to have a very good rest of the week.''
In December in Vancouver, Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and received a conditional discharge. He was sentenced to a year's probation and 80 hours of community service.
Part of that probation was that Bertuzzi not play hockey or engage ''in any other sporting activity involving Mr. Moore as a participant.''
''Subject to the continuing terms of the conditional discharge in Mr. Bertuzzi's criminal case and the `probationary period' which this decision imposes, Mr. Bertuzzi is immediately eligible for reinstatement for play in the NHL,'' Bettman said.
Asked about Moore's health, Danson said Moore has improved to the point where he is attempting to train.
''He's trying to get back to where he was,'' Danson said Monday prior to the announcement. ''There's challenges, He's moving along.''
''He is determined to make a full recovery and resume his NHL career,'' Danson added. ''However he has suffered very serious injuries and a serious head injury. He has to defer to the experts with respect to where he goes from here. Even if you make a full recovery by appearances, concussion injuries are a different kind of injury.''
Moore has filed a civil suit in Denver naming Bertuzzi, former Canucks forward Brad May, Canucks coach Marc Crawford, former GM Brian Burke and Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, which owns the team.
Bettman's decision was released the same day that Gretzky announced he was taking over as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
The commissioner said he believed Bertuzzi ''has paid a very significant price for his conduct on March 8, 2004.''
''I anticipate that there will be those who will say that Mr. Bertuzzi's 17-month suspension is inadequate, and not proportionate to suspensions imposed on other players for conduct that may be considered `less severe' than Mr. Bertuzzi's actions because of the work stoppage that wiped out the entire 2004-05 NHL season,'' said Bettman. ''I disagree.
''In light of the unusual circumstances surrounding the 2004-05 season, it is appropriate to consider not only the significant impact the suspension has had on Mr. Bertuzzi's NHL career, but also the impact that the league's suspension has had on Mr. Bertuzzi's ability to play professional hockey anywhere during this time, as well as the financial, criminal, civil and emotional consequences he has endured as a result of his conduct on March 8, 2004.''
Danson, meanwhile, said prior to the league announcement that Moore had undergone a comprehensive medical evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic in June. A follow-up examine is being conducted this week.
The results of that examination won't be known until at least the end of the month.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Okay, that was weird. I posted twice here and both messages disappeared into vaporware.
Wait... now it's there. (sigh) Never mind! - KF72
Wait... now it's there. (sigh) Never mind! - KF72
Ok, here's where I should really think twice about posting my thoughts on the Steve Moore / Todd Bertuzzi *incident*.........
I just don't know if I should.......
What would Teflon Billy do?
Ok, here it goes.
Todd Bertuzzi has paid far too high a price for the weak neck of Steve Moore! (How's that for a start?)
First off, let me say that I am not a huge supporter of the Cunucks. I am a fan of the game, and if i had to choose one team I root for more then the others, I would have to say I'm a Lightning fan. Since they joined the league. I own a eight year old Lightning baseball cap, and I am not a bandwagon jumper.
Anyway, IMO Steve Moore is the classic example of why Ivy league, wanna be lawyers do not belong in the NHL.
Moore cheap shotted Markus Naslund in an earlier game. You can argue the point all you like, but when you leave your feet to make contact with another player, and you lead with your elbow, you are attempting to injure. In return, Todd Bertuzzi tried to intigate Moore into a fight the next time the two teams played, as did Brad May, as did other Cunucks. Moore, by the way, declined to fight all commers, with the exception of Matt Cooke. Who just happens to be the smallest Cunuck on the roster.
What Bertuzzi did is unfortunate, but it is certainly not the first time someone has been hit/punched from behind. Moore knew he was there, Moore knew it was coming, and Moore was scared sh**less, and shouldn't even have been on the ice with the big boys. Hit's like that happen all the time. It's just that most of the time it involves two players of equal fortitude.
So then there is the incident. Moore goes down, the players pile on. Unfortunate. Moore then is diagnosed with a cracked vertebrae, unfortunate. But was it the punch that caused it? Was it the pile on? Had Moore been rattled previously by clean hits? Absolutely. Could he have had an exisiting condition? Perhaps.
Let's fast forward a few weeks. Poor Steve Moore is shown on TV, at a game wearing a neck brace, laughing with teammates, and tipping back his head to enjoy a refreshing bottled water. Then Moore whines about not being able to whine to the judge in person at a hearing. Then Moore releases a statement saying he doesn't ever want to be on the same ice as Bertuzzi, and he has no interest in hearing Bertuzzi's apology. A real professional statement there. All this time, we hear nothing about Moore's neck condition.
Just recently, reports have leaked that Moore has been cleared to play again. The Avalanche, who must support this kid, right? Nope, they go out and sign Brad May, one of the biggest Bertuzzi defenders out there, and a key player in the events that surrounded the *incident*. For those that follow the game closely, like myself, have heard rumors that many of the Avalanche didn't really support Moore, and that some privately thought that his actions were self serving.
So I think Bertuzzi did his time, and Bettman did the right thing bringing him back. Steve Moore will continue to verbalize the "poor me's", and he will say that even though he has been cleared by several doctors, he still just "doesn't feel healthy", and that will explain away the fact that nobody in the league will touch this guy. Bertuzzi on the other hand, will be playing for the mighty Team Canada at the next Olympics, I hope.
Let the flames begin.
I just don't know if I should.......
What would Teflon Billy do?
Ok, here it goes.
Todd Bertuzzi has paid far too high a price for the weak neck of Steve Moore! (How's that for a start?)
First off, let me say that I am not a huge supporter of the Cunucks. I am a fan of the game, and if i had to choose one team I root for more then the others, I would have to say I'm a Lightning fan. Since they joined the league. I own a eight year old Lightning baseball cap, and I am not a bandwagon jumper.
Anyway, IMO Steve Moore is the classic example of why Ivy league, wanna be lawyers do not belong in the NHL.
Moore cheap shotted Markus Naslund in an earlier game. You can argue the point all you like, but when you leave your feet to make contact with another player, and you lead with your elbow, you are attempting to injure. In return, Todd Bertuzzi tried to intigate Moore into a fight the next time the two teams played, as did Brad May, as did other Cunucks. Moore, by the way, declined to fight all commers, with the exception of Matt Cooke. Who just happens to be the smallest Cunuck on the roster.
What Bertuzzi did is unfortunate, but it is certainly not the first time someone has been hit/punched from behind. Moore knew he was there, Moore knew it was coming, and Moore was scared sh**less, and shouldn't even have been on the ice with the big boys. Hit's like that happen all the time. It's just that most of the time it involves two players of equal fortitude.
So then there is the incident. Moore goes down, the players pile on. Unfortunate. Moore then is diagnosed with a cracked vertebrae, unfortunate. But was it the punch that caused it? Was it the pile on? Had Moore been rattled previously by clean hits? Absolutely. Could he have had an exisiting condition? Perhaps.
Let's fast forward a few weeks. Poor Steve Moore is shown on TV, at a game wearing a neck brace, laughing with teammates, and tipping back his head to enjoy a refreshing bottled water. Then Moore whines about not being able to whine to the judge in person at a hearing. Then Moore releases a statement saying he doesn't ever want to be on the same ice as Bertuzzi, and he has no interest in hearing Bertuzzi's apology. A real professional statement there. All this time, we hear nothing about Moore's neck condition.
Just recently, reports have leaked that Moore has been cleared to play again. The Avalanche, who must support this kid, right? Nope, they go out and sign Brad May, one of the biggest Bertuzzi defenders out there, and a key player in the events that surrounded the *incident*. For those that follow the game closely, like myself, have heard rumors that many of the Avalanche didn't really support Moore, and that some privately thought that his actions were self serving.
So I think Bertuzzi did his time, and Bettman did the right thing bringing him back. Steve Moore will continue to verbalize the "poor me's", and he will say that even though he has been cleared by several doctors, he still just "doesn't feel healthy", and that will explain away the fact that nobody in the league will touch this guy. Bertuzzi on the other hand, will be playing for the mighty Team Canada at the next Olympics, I hope.
Let the flames begin.
Last edited:
Teflon Billy
Explorer
devilbat said:Let the flames begin.
No flames here. I agree with you 100%.
I will add that the week previous to "the Incident" Moore pulled the exact saem "skate up and cream a guy from behind" move that got Todd into such hot water on the Tampa Bay Lightning's superstar Martin St. Louis (another tiny guy)
Does this excuse Todd's behaviour. No it sure doesn't.
But Moore is a dirty player with a penchant for cheapshots. He knows how the game is played, and when he got caught in the wheels, his reacton is to run to the cops and whine.
Colorado doesn't want him, he hasn't been signed by the rest of the league, andhe is cleared to play.
I think it's time he "retired"
Welcome back Bertuzzi, we missed you.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
NHL Transactions, Tuesday, June 9th
Tuesday's Transaction....
Atlanta Thrashers - Signed defenseman Shane Hnidy and right wings Brian Maloney and Adam Smyth.
Calgary Flames - Acquired goaltender Phillipe Sauve from the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2006.
Colorado Avalanche - Re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Karlis Skrastins.
Carolina Hurricanes - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Kevyn Adams.
Edmonton Oilers - Agreed to terms with restricted free agent centre Marty Reasoner.
Minnesota Wild - Re-signed restricted free agent centre Todd White, forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard and defenceman Willie Mitchell.
Philadelphia Flyers - Re-signed restricted free agent forwards Branko Radivojevic and Patrick Sharp and defenceman Kim Johnsson.
San Jose Sharks - Re-signed restricted free agent forwards Wayne Primeau and Nils Ekman.
St. Louis Blues - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Dean McAmmond. Re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Bryce Salvador, and forwards Eric Boguniecki and Colin Hemingway.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Sean Burke and unrestricted free agent forward Rob DiMaio. Re-signed restricted free agent forward Dmitri Afanasenkov and restricted free agent defenceman Dan Boyle.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Signed defenceman Staffan Kronwall and center Alexander Steen to multi-year contracts, sign unrestricted free agent defenceman Alexander Khavanov.
Washington Capitals - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Andrew Cassels. Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Lawrence Nycholat.
------------------------
BTW, I won't be putting up that detailed list of the NHL Teams current total salaries, like I promised on the other thread. It is flucuating too much, plus I'm going through a family crisis right now.
My brother's heart stopped while he was driving on Monday afternoon and he's now in the hospital in a deep coma. The doctor says that if he doesn't wake up by Tuesday then he'll likely die. This has hit my family hard but we're hopeful for his recovery.
Robert Blezard, a.k.a. Knightfall1972
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Tuesday's Transaction....
Atlanta Thrashers - Signed defenseman Shane Hnidy and right wings Brian Maloney and Adam Smyth.
Calgary Flames - Acquired goaltender Phillipe Sauve from the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2006.
Colorado Avalanche - Re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Karlis Skrastins.
Carolina Hurricanes - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Kevyn Adams.
Edmonton Oilers - Agreed to terms with restricted free agent centre Marty Reasoner.
Minnesota Wild - Re-signed restricted free agent centre Todd White, forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard and defenceman Willie Mitchell.
Philadelphia Flyers - Re-signed restricted free agent forwards Branko Radivojevic and Patrick Sharp and defenceman Kim Johnsson.
San Jose Sharks - Re-signed restricted free agent forwards Wayne Primeau and Nils Ekman.
St. Louis Blues - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Dean McAmmond. Re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Bryce Salvador, and forwards Eric Boguniecki and Colin Hemingway.
Tampa Bay Lightning - Signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Sean Burke and unrestricted free agent forward Rob DiMaio. Re-signed restricted free agent forward Dmitri Afanasenkov and restricted free agent defenceman Dan Boyle.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Signed defenceman Staffan Kronwall and center Alexander Steen to multi-year contracts, sign unrestricted free agent defenceman Alexander Khavanov.
Washington Capitals - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Andrew Cassels. Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Lawrence Nycholat.
------------------------
BTW, I won't be putting up that detailed list of the NHL Teams current total salaries, like I promised on the other thread. It is flucuating too much, plus I'm going through a family crisis right now.
My brother's heart stopped while he was driving on Monday afternoon and he's now in the hospital in a deep coma. The doctor says that if he doesn't wake up by Tuesday then he'll likely die. This has hit my family hard but we're hopeful for his recovery.
Robert Blezard, a.k.a. Knightfall1972
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada