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NHL

Senators net new interest

TORONTO -- A Canadian billionaire is interested in buying the Senators.

Eugene Melnyk, head of a Montreal pharmaceutical firm and a prominent thoroughbred horse owner, acknowledged Friday he is looking into purchasing the Senators and the Corel Centre.

"Yes, I do have an interest in the Ottawa Senators," Melnyk told Canadian Press.

The 42-year-old Toronto-born businessman declined further comment. The Senators filed for bankruptcy Jan. 9 with a debt of more than $160-million.

Former majority owner Rod Bryden submitted his offer to repurchase the club and the Corel Centre a week later, but that bid is being negotiated with creditors.

LAWSUITS PENDING: The Red Wings, NHL and Olympia Entertainment Inc., which owns Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, will be sued next week by two women who say they were injured by pucks, an attorney said.

James Elliott said he will file suits in Wayne County Circuit Court on behalf of Elizabeth Taylor and Sandra Quick, both of Michigan. Taylor, 52, had nerve damage and needed plastic surgery after a puck hit her in the cheek at a college game in March 2001, Elliott said. Quick, 33, was hit in the mouth at a Red Wings playoff game in May. She lost three teeth and needed extensive dental work.

"We have to prove the premises were unsafe and the defendants knew they were unsafe," Elliott said.

Bill Daly, the league's chief legal officer, said he was unaware of the lawsuits and had no comment.

HURRICANES: Left wing Erik Cole will miss at least two months after breaking his left leg in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Lightning. He landed awkwardly after being checked by Dan Boyle in the second period. Cole, in his second season, is fourth on the team in scoring with 14 goals and 13 assists in 53 games.

PANTHERS: Defenseman Mathieu Biron was assigned to AHL's San Antonio. Florida agreed to let him play for Team Canada in the Sweden Games, which start Tuesday in Stockholm.

WILD: Goalie Dieter Kochan was reassigned to AHL Houston. Kochan was recalled Jan. 7 to back up Dwayne Roloson. He started one game for Minnesota, a 5-1 loss at Edmonton on Wednesday night.

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