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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bettman lifts Bertuzzi’s suspension

Associated Press

Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, whose blindside punch left Colorado’s Steve Moore with a broken neck, was reinstated by the NHL on Monday.

Bertuzzi was suspended for the final 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. His banishment continued throughout last season’s NHL lockout, which kept Bertuzzi from playing in the World Cup of Hockey last September and the past two world championships.

He also was barred from playing in any European league last season.

Bertuzzi and Moore met separately with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for Bertuzzi’s reinstatement hearing on April 26. The Vancouver right wing needed the commissioner’s approval before being allowed back into the league.

“I find that the appropriate discipline to be imposed for Mr. Bertuzzi’s conduct on March 8, 2004 is the suspension that has been served to date,” Bettman said in a statement. “While I believe that Mr. Bertuzzi must be held accountable for his actions, I do not feel it is necessary or appropriate to delay the issuance of this opinion.”

The suspension cost Bertuzzi $501,926.39 in salary. He is due to earn more than $5.2 million from the Canucks in the upcoming season.

As per terms of his criminal probation, Bertuzzi will not be permitted to play in any game in which Moore is an opponent. Moore is an unrestricted free agent after not being re-signed by the Avalanche.

Red Wings bring back Osgood

Chris Osgood agreed to terms on a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings, returning the goaltender to the team he helped win the 1998 Stanley Cup.

Osgood will compete with Manny Legace for Detroit’s top spot in the nets.

“We’ve got a new coach in Mike Babcock, who has no preconceived notions about either guy,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “They’re both in their early 30s and they both are on one-year contracts, so I expect a healthy competition and I hope in the end the team is the benefactor.”

Around the league

Rick Nash, who tied for the league lead in goals with 41 in 2003-04, re-signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, agreeing to a five-year contract. The 21-year-old left wing was a restricted free agent. … Right wing Mike Grier re-signed with the Buffalo Sabres, accepting a one-year qualifying offer to earn nearly $1.4 million this season. … The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms on a one-year contract with center Matt Cullen. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.