Todd Bertuzzi has shown remorse for his sucker punch on Colorado's Steve Moore. Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Todd Bertuzzi's reinstatement by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is one of those decisions that can be scrutinized from several standpoints, especially when you consider the components: the act, the outcome and the punishment.

Before we consider the act, let's look at the outcome. Steve Moore still is rehabilitating a cracked vertebra in his neck and awaiting post-concussion medical clearance to begin training. In other words, at best, he has a long, arduous path back to the NHL and, at worst, his career is in jeopardy.

The act itself -- Bertuzzi mugging Moore from behind with a sucker punch to the head, then falling on his unconscious target -- was shocking, horrifying and downright scary. In the aftermath, even Canucks captain Markus Naslund distanced himself from Bertuzzi's vigilante antics. After all, it was the Canucks' outrage at a perceived cheap shot by Moore on Naslund in a prior game that precipitated the incident.

And that's why the act -- reprehensible in the moment and in its outcome -- isn't easily categorized. Leading up to the rematch game, Brad May issued thinly veiled threats in the media. The Canucks berated and battered Moore every time he hit the ice, challenging him and forcing him to fight in the first period. Up to that point, you could file it under the 'payback and intimidation' section that is a part of all sports.

Make no mistake; the Canucks targeted Moore just as the playground bullies pick on the quiet kid at recess. We've all seen the act, but often there is that one guy who takes it too far, pushes too hard and causes more harm than even his pack mates desired. Unfortunately for Moore, the lout playing the role of the wild-eyed zealot this time was a mountain of a man in Bertuzzi.

For that, Bertuzzi forever will live as an outcast. Internally, he'll have to live with the guilt of his actions towards a fellow player. Outside, even in the locker room, there always will be questions about his character and motives. What makes this guy tick? No one ever can be sure.

In issuing Bertuzzi's reinstatement, Bettman felt comfortable that enough time has passed; and a strong case exists when you consider that the IIHF upheld Bertuzzi's NHL suspension worldwide during the lockout, stripping him of any earning power and removing him from the game in total. Still, people will question whether 17 months of penance was enough.

If you are Steve Moore, probably not. But the NHL doesn't have an eye-for-an-eye policy; suspensions of the culprit don't always match the recovery time of the harmed.

More pertinent, the NHL is in a mode of forward progress. Therefore, all pending business needed resolution. As a matter of practical course, the commissioner ended a messy saga by giving Bertuzzi a chance to prove repentance and now was the time to address it.

And for those of you who want to feign outrage, consider that Colorado signed May -- the voice of violence leading up to the infamous game. For those provocations, May was named -- along with Bertuzzi, Canucks head coach Mark Crawford and the former owners of the team -- in a civil suit filed by Moore. Yet it appears the Avs have put the incident behind them.

In that context, Bettman is merely following suit by declaring that it's time for everyone to move on.