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Short end of the stick Berard turns his back on Leafs after ordeal
In the how's-that-for-gratitude department, defenseman Bryan Berard is on the cusp of signing a four-year deal with the New York Rangers. Berard was a budding star with the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 11, 2000 when he was struck in the right eye by the stick of Ottawa's Marian Hossa. The Leafs took care of the medical bills and paid the final year of Berard's contract but did not make him a qualifying offer of $1.8 million last summer, which made Berard, who had not signed retirement papers, a free agent. He negotiated a deal to return money to the insurance companies that paid him $6.5 million for the supposed career-ending injury. He was also been fitted with a special contact lens. If he can meet the NHL minimum sight requirements of 20/400, he will likely sign with New York although Toronto says it has matched the Rangers offer.
Avs chances hurt by Forsberg's absenceThe Avalanche players said all the right things about center Peter Forsberg's decision to take a leave of absence. But there is an undercurrent of unhappiness mixed in with the shock because his sabbatical hurts Colorado's chances to repeat as Stanley Cup champion. Forsberg's decision was so surprising because no one had a larger appetite for the game. Indeed after his spleen was removed during the playoffs, Forsberg began skating secretly at night in an effort to return for the end of the finals. When a doctor and general manager Pierre Lacroix flatly ruled him out for Game 7 against New Jersey, Forsberg was near tears. Forsberg, scheduled to make $11 million, is on an unpaid leave at his request, a status the NHL Players Association has acceded to because the case is unique.
Refs allowed to change travel procedureGiven the state of air travel since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the NHL, bless its pragmatic soul, has come up with a common-sense plan that should make life easier for its officials who usually depend on commercial flights. The two referees and two linesmen will be allowed to travel on team charters if it is convenient. To make sure there is no fraternization, the officials will sit in an area of the airplane that's isolated from the players. Sports Illustrated senior writer Michael Farber covers the NHL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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