NHL
Retirement looms for Bure
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 12, 2003
NEW YORK - Pavel Bure did not say the words, "I retire." But those were the only words he left unsaid Thursday as he described his career as virtually over because of a ravaged right knee.
The right wing failed a team physical, and the Rangers declared him medically unable to play.
"He's not going to play this year," general manager Glen Sather said.
Bure, 32, will not accompany the team to Burlington, Vt., for training camp, which begins today.
"I have been through surgeries so many times, and I always want to come back and play. And I still want to come back and play right now," Bure said. "Sometimes, you just have to deal with what you have to deal with. I will still continue doing what I can do, my exercises. The most important thing is that I'm going to try to get better."
Bure played 39 games last season, totaling 19 goals and 11 assists. But he was troubled almost from the start by his knee, which he injured during a preseason game Sept. 24. He twice had arthroscopic surgery last season but said he still feels pain.
"It's going the other way. It's getting worse," Bure said. "I can't control that. Trainers, doctors, none of us can control it, and I don't know that there is any other special program to try."
Bure spent the summer strenuously exercising, and the muscles around his right knee are 20 percent stronger than those around his left knee.
Bure had reconstructive surgery in 1995 and 1999. But he said more surgery is not a reasonable option because no doctor has given him any assurance a third reconstruction would be effective.
He is in the final season of his contract and is guaranteed $10-million. The contract is insured, so the Rangers would be reimbursed for 80 percent of the contract if Bure cannot play.
Meanwhile, defenseman Brian Leetch reinjured his left ankle last weekend and will miss the start of training camp. Goalie Dan Blackburn also will miss the start of camp. He damaged a nerve in his left shoulder during a prospects camp last month and also is battling mononucleosis.
Sabres star to leave U.S.
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Miroslav Satan is unhappy with the progress of his contract negotiations and told the Sabres he will play in his native Slovakia until a deal is reached.
"I would like to be in camp, but in my mind, we're not that close to saying it will happen any day now," said Satan, who is representing himself. "Definitely, my first priority is to agree on a deal with the Sabres."
Satan, a restricted free-agent forward and seven-time 20-goal scorer, can play overseas until the Sabres open the season. If he plays beyond then, the Sabres would elect to not re-sign him this season. A player who competes overseas after the season begins must clear waivers, a risk general manager Darcy Regier said the Sabres wouldn't take.
Last season, Satan had 26 goals and a career-high 75 points and earned $3.55-million.
AVALANCHE: Goalie Patrick Roy's No. 33 will be retired. Roy, who announced his retirement on May 28 after 19 seasons, holds regular-season records for wins (551), 30-plus win seasons (13), games played (1,029) and minutes played (60,235).
BRUINS: Left wing Sergei Samsonov re-signed for one year after missing most of last season. He was the rookie of the year in 1997-98, when he had 22 goals and 25 assists. He has 129 goals in six seasons but played only eight games last season after bone graft surgery on his right wrist.
OILERS: Forwards Georges Laraque and Ethan Moreau re-signed. Laraque, one of the league's top enforcers, signed a three-year deal and Moreau, a 14-goal scorer last season, a two-year deal.
PENGUINS: Left wing Ramzi Abid signed a one-year deal. He had 10 goals and eight assists in 30 games as a rookie with Phoenix last season before being dealt to the Penguins for Jan Hrdina on March 11.
STARS: Goalie Marty Turco was not at the first day of training camp. Turco set a modern record last season with his 1.72 goals-against average and went 31-10-10. Owner Tom Hicks and general manager Doug Armstrong said a $12-million, three-year contract would be the club's final offer. Turco made $850,000 last season.
WILD: Defenseman Chris McAlpine signed a one-year deal. McAlpine, 31, who has six goals and 24 assists in 289 games, missed all but 21 games last season with Los Angeles after hernia surgery.
Tonight's games: Pinellas
BaseballAL: Radke, Twins tie for lead in Central
Ceremonies mark 9/11: 'It's a sad day'
NL: Maddux lasts 32/3 innings in loss to Phils
College footballIf Clarett wants CFL it's his call to make
UF misses no beat with shuffling line
GolfTwo 65s lead PGA's Deere Classic
In briefJones likely to lose heavyweight title
MotorsportsA legend in the making
China, Bahrain hot, Canada not for F1
NFLBengals coach forces Dillon to talk
NHLRetirement looms for Bure
OutdoorsAngler evolution
Daily fishing report
PrepsEagles feel like winning
Friday night football by the numbers
Game of the week
Player spotlight: Tyler Gross
The maxims: East Bay vs. Wharton
Tonights games: Hillsborough
Sports on the airRemote Patrol
Guerrero's looks offset fumbles
RaysHalladay hurries to stop Raysfor No. 20
Rays see hope for Brazelton rebound
Up next: Yankees
BucsThis is one towel they'll never throw in
Speed of live game shocking for Smith
LightningNo letdown, Lightning brass warns
Players lose breath, more in fitness test
