Lafontaine Ready For Action After Tough Year

After missing most of last year with complications from a concussion and haggling with the Buffalo Sabres about his return, Pat LaFontaine is just happy to be back on the ice.

LaFontaine, now with the New York Rangers, received clearance from the Rangers’ medical staff last week.

LaFontaine is expected to fill a void left at center when Mark Messier left the Rangers for the Vancouver Canucks.

LaFontaine gives the Rangers a talented offensive center to play behind Wayne Gretzky.

LaFontaine, 32, has been sidelined since Nov. 7 because of complications from a concussion he sustained Oct. 17.

League concerned about concussions

The NHL this preseason conducted baseline neurological tests on its players to help doctors determine the amount of damage caused by a concussion. Players are suffering head injuries at a rate NHL officials call alarming - 135 concussions in the past two seasons.

NHL officials said that by conducting the baseline tests when players are healthy, doctors will be able to compare the results after a player suffers a head injury. Tests typically will involve reading comprehension exercises and tests to measure a player’s reaction time to light.

Red Wings, Avalanche favored

The past two Stanley Cup champions are among the favorites to win it this season, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers.

The defending champion Detroit Red Wings and the 1996 champion Colorado Avalanche are listed as 4-1 favorites by the Stardust Race & Sports Book.

Winning not helping Keenan

Mike Keenan spent most of his past 12 summers preparing for the upcoming National Hockey League season.

Keenan, one of the winningest coaches in NHL history, expressed interest in 10 vacancies and interviewed with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens this off-season, his agent said. Yet, when the NHL begins play today, Keenan won’t be behind a bench.

While there’s no questioning Keenan’s 470-318-99 record on the ice, taking four teams to the Stanley Cup Finals and guiding the New York Rangers to their first championship in 54 years, some NHL general managers said they didn’t hire him because of his methods off the ice. Although Keenan has frequently enjoyed short-term success, his antagonistic and autocratic style has left him fired or on bad terms with every NHL team he’s coached.

Around the league

Federal prosecutors gave John Spano a one-week deadline to accept a plea bargain that would send him to prison for at least 43 months in connection with his failed bid to buy the the New York Islanders, Spano’s attorney said. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York said if Spano doesn’t plead guilty, the office will seek an indictment. If Spano is indicted, he’ll face a stiffer sentence than the one offered by prosecutors. … Kelly Chase was traded to the St Louis Blues from the Toronto Maple Leafs for future considerations. … Keith Tkachuk returned to the Phoenix Coyotes without the renegotiated contract he wanted but with a promise from management that a new long-term pact will be discussed after the season. … The Buffalo Sabres re-signed left wing Miroslav Satan to a one-year contract.