Stars Talk Boycotting Olympics
Brett Hull and other NHL stars will refuse to play on the U.S. hockey team at the Winter Olympics unless Bill Guerin is added to the squad, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
The Toronto Star quoted Hull as saying Guerin was left off the roster announced two weeks ago by USA Hockey because of a contract dispute with the New Jersey Devils. The Devils’ general manager, Lou Lamariello, is also general manager of the U.S. Olympic team.
“We’re ready to pull the plug,” Hull said. “I think it stinks… . If Billy doesn’t go, the rest of us aren’t. Just because Bill’s got a dispute with New Jersey, it isn’t right he can’t play for his country.”
U.S. Olympic and hockey federation officials said they had not been in contact with Hull or any other player regarding Guerin.
Bill Hybl, U.S. Olympic Committee president, said he was certain the threat would be defused but warned against any action that would keep U.S. team members from competing.
Jagr wants to stay
So much for reports that Jaromir Jagr wants out of Pittsburgh because of the coach’s restrictive offense. He plans to sign a new contract so he can finish his career with the Penguins.
Jagr, the teams’ marquee player now that Mario Lemieux is retired, said Tuesday he expects to sign the contract - probably for seven years and about $50 million - within a week.
His comments came after the Toronto Sun reported that he sat out the Penguins’ last two games not because of a hip injury, but because of anger over the team’s refusal to open up the offense.
Hurricanes make deal
The Carolina Hurricanes, seeking to beef up their ailing defense, acquired Sean Hill from Ottawa on Tuesday in exchange for right wing Chris Murray.
On the ice
Claude Lemieux had the seventh three-goal game of his career, but Peter Bondra’s goal with 5:04 left in regulation gave the Washington Capitals a 6-6 tie with the Colorado Avalanche in Landover, Md.
Martin Brodeur won his 11th straight game as the New Jersey Devils kept up their winning ways (seven straight) to take over first in the Atlantic Division with a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames in East Rutherford, N.J.