Ruling Favors Flyers

For the second time in a week, the NHL has ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Flyers in a dispute over which team holds the rights to Chris Gratton.

Commissioner Gary Bettman decided that the trade which would have sent Gratton from Tampa Bay to Chicago was not consummated before the Flyers submitted an offer sheet to the restricted free agent.

The Lightning still have the right to match Philadelphia’s offer sheet by tonight and keep Gratton.

Buffalo Sabres All-Star center Pat LaFontaine will meet with a second neurosurgeon Monday in hopes of being cleared to return to the National Hockey League after missing most of last season with a head injury.