VANCOUVER -- Marty McSorley sat expressionless as prosecutors opened his assault trial by showing video of him bashing Donald Brashear in the head with his stick.

McSorley, who played for the Boston Bruins last season, faces up to 11/2 years in prison if convicted of assault with a weapon.

Prosecutor Mike Hicks introduced several exhibits, including a 14-minute video of the Feb. 21 game against Vancouver in which McSorley and Brashear fought.

Also displayed were photos of Brashear's battered face a day after the game. Brashear received a concussion and returned to play near the end of last season.

The first prosecution witnesses were referee Brad Watson, linesman Mike Cvik and Canucks trainer Mike Burnstein. Cvik said McSorley tried to initiate a fight.

"Marty says, "You have to fight me again,' and Donald Brashear says, "No. I'm not going to fight you. We're up 4-0,' " Cvik said. "Donald was trying to get away. He wanted no part of it."

The key issue is not whether McSorley struck Brashear, but whether such an attack in pro hockey constitutes assault with a weapon. The NHL says it should handle disciplinary matters.

McSorley, 37, was suspended for the season's final 23 games. He lost about $70,000 and must meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman before he can play.

McSorley, with 17 years in the NHL, is unsigned and had shoulder surgery in the off-season.

AVALANCHE: Defenseman Aaron Miller says he's eager for the season to start after having three metal plates removed from his jaw, broken five months ago in the season finale against Detroit.

BLUES: MVP Chris Pronger and St. Louis cut off negotiations on a contract, although the team made it clear it wouldn't let him get away.

BRUINS: Goaltender John Grahame, 26, faces surgery this week and is out indefinitely after breaking his ankle Saturday night when he tripped stepping off a curb. Grahame was 7-10-5 with a 2.46 goals-against average and two shutouts in 24 games as a rookie last season.

PREDATORS: Nashville signed left wing Jeremy Stevenson, 26, and acquired defenseman Alexei Vasiliev, 23, from the Rangers for a conditional draft pick.

Monday's games

DEVILS 8, RANGERS 2: Scott Gomez and Sergei Brylan each had two goals and two assists for visiting New Jersey in the preseason game.

STARS 2, BLUES 2: Dallas and host St. Louis each scored twice in the first period, with Richard Matvichuk and Brett Hull tying it for the Stars.

OILERS 2, SENATORS 1 (OT): Brian Swanson got a power-play goal 28 seconds into overtime for host Edmonton after teammate Michel Riesen tied it in the first period.

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