18 replies to this topic

[SyKoRaFaN39]

Former Avalanche player sues for 'unprovoked hit'
Associated Press
Posted: 3 days ago

DENVER (AP) - Former Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore filed a lawsuit against the Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, who pleaded guilty to assault after slugging Moore in the head from behind during a game last season.

Moore's attorney, Lee Foreman, said in a statement that the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Denver District Court accuses Todd Bertuzzi of civil conspiracy, assault, battery and negligence.

Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to criminal assault and was given a conditional discharge in December, more than nine months after the attack during a game in Vancouver. He faced up to 18 months in prison. He also was suspended indefinitely from the NHL.

Moore has not completely recovered from the broken neck and concussion he suffered. The Avalanche did not re-sign Moore, who is an unrestricted free agent.

Foreman said in the statement that it still is uncertain whether Moore will ever fully recover.

Moore was hospitalized with three fractured vertebrae, facial cuts, post-concussion symptoms and amnesia after the March 8 hit.

Bertuzzi has missed 13 regular-season games and seven postseason games while losing nearly $502,000 in salary because of his NHL suspension. He also was barred from playing in Europe by the International Ice Hockey Federation.

A message left after business hours for Bertuzzi attorney Tim Danson in Toronto was not immediately returned.

[Reb]

OK, playing devil's advocate here ...
Naslund Blasts Lawsuit

[MKLightning]

OK, playing devil's advocate here ... 
Naslund Blasts Lawsuit

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I read that article and could not believe it. I am no fan of lawyers or lawsuits in most cases, especially with the multitude of frivolous ones that go around. However, I think the guy does have a right to go for damages in this case. Whether or not the extent of the lawsuit is justified, I cannot say. But, it is not like this is a dogbite on the finger from a Chihuahua that has "ruined" someone's life This is a serious life-altering injury. I am just really amazed that Naslund said that. What if it were him?

[JasonAKADfan8]

If it were him, the player involved would have ended up in jail and he would be suing for much more money.....Naslund should keep his trap shut in this matter....Bertuzzi should pay and that is the end of that.

[fedorov-fan91]

Moore has the right to sue because it was a horrible injury and it has nothing to do with how good a player Moore was. He was maliciously attacked by Bertuzzi and he should pay for what he did.

Naslund should remain quiet about the topic because it has nothing to do with him. Bertuzzi did the wrong thing and Moore can sue whoever he feels like it.

[Daria]

Someone who wasn't good enough to play.

That's harsh. He thinks that he plays any better? Everyone in hockey, goes out and gives the game their best shot; how dare he bash on Moore, who is pretty fresh in his years in hockey and he's probably never going to play again.
I used to like Naslund, now I've lost all respect for him what a jerk!

[Veca]

Well, he is talking about a teammate. Agree with his stand or not, he is entitled to his opinion. I don't know why it should affect how any of us feel about Naslund. I for one would expect him to stick up for one of his guys being the teams captain and all. We never know what if anything was said behind closed doors but in the public, this is the way it should be.

[Francaise]

I love all of this. I'll just sit back and watch the furr fly. heheheheheheh

Not you guys, I mean the story.....

[MKLightning]

I don't dislike Naslund for what he said, but many will, and won't forget. Do I think it is the wrong thing to say? Yes. With lawyers being what they are (sorry to any lawyers ) this could come back further and bite Vancouver in the bum.

If Naslund feels that bad press is better than no press, I think he made a poor decision in this one. He is entitled to his opinion, and we should respect that, even if we feel it is wrong. But, I think a smarter PR move would be the usual, "This is an unfortunate event. All of us in the Canucks organization wishes Moore a speedy recovery, and hope that we can reach a speedy resolution... etc etc". I am sure Bertuzzi does not share the same sentiment as Naslund right now. Vancouver should be trying to heal this rift rather than make it worse. To come out and (basically) say the guy sucks as a player, and all he wants is money because he will never be a great player is pretty bad.

I can't say I followed Steve Moore's career before this incident, but he must have been somewhat decent to be in the NHL, at least in someone's mind. Hockey was his career, and if he is unable to do that career anymore, because of what happened (as long as it was pre-meditated, which it looks like) then he deserves some compensation that he would, hopefully, put to good use to train for another career.

[hockey2k]

He's not just suing Bertuzzi though. Moore's lawsuit includes Brad May, Marc Crawford, Brian Burke and Orca Bay Sports. Moore's lawyer is even blaming the NHL for his injury. This conspiracy to injure stuff is BS. He's basically suing everyone for trash talk...if he wins his suit then what is going to prevent a landslide of lawsuits to follow, everytime another player feels "threatened?" Sue Bertuzzi if you must, but conspiracy to injure. PLEASE.

Quotes could haunt Canucks in lawsuit

[MKLightning]

I don't believe for a minute there was a conspiracy by the whole team to permanently injure this guy. I agree, the lawsuit as it stands is ridiculous, but lawsuits are often like that. Someone slips on a bit of water, and before you know it the owner of the company, the company, the city and the state are getting sued. The lawyers go for the max, and settle between the minimum and the middle. If they go for the minimum straight away, then it settles for less, and most importantly (in the lawyers mind), they end up getting less money.

The unfortuante thing in this is that I do believe Bertuzzi went after Moore, and it was premeditated. It happens in many, many games where something has happened in a previous game and players may discuss what they are going to do. Bertuzzi did what he did, and this terrible injury happened. I don't think for a moment Bertuzzi thought he was going to break the guys neck by doing what he did. If he had intent to break his neck then he does not belong in the sport.

However, I do feel that Naslund has made a poor judgement in what he has said. It will not help his cause, Bertuzzi's cause, or the teams cause.

[hockey2k]

The hit was premeditated, I'm sure, but Bert never meant to end the guy's career.

Naslund has been saying a few things latley that I'm shocked and dismayed at. He was always such a classy player, and not one for making nasty comments. I'm bewildered by his sudden rash quotes. I'm wondering how much these comments are taken out of context/lost in translation? Or maybe all my favourite Canucks are trying to disappoint me? Linden has also been in my doghouse for most of his views during the lockout...

[MKLightning]

The hit was premeditated, I'm sure, but Bert never meant to end the guy's career.

Agreed. Many hits are premeditated. 99.9% of the time, they accomplish what they wanted (by sending a message), and so the game goes on. I have not seen the video of the hit in a long time, but I seem to remember it was the fall rather than the hit that caused the injury, and then Bertuzzi fell on him, I think? I may be wrong, but I had seen many a worse looking hit that caused less damage.

Naslund has been saying a few things latley that I'm shocked and dismayed at. He was always such a classy player, and not one for making nasty comments. I'm bewildered by his sudden rash quotes. I'm wondering how much these comments are taken out of context/lost in translation? Or maybe all my favourite Canucks are trying to disappoint me? Linden has also been in my doghouse for most of his views during the lockout...  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope it was lost in translation by the media, because it really was not a smart thing to say. I have to say a lot of the players have said things that I am dismayed at recently with regards to the lockout. Even Rooch has said some things that were just not too clever - but then again maybe it's the media thing once more.

[MrsBevo]

The coach is somewhat responsible if he intentionally put Bertuzzi on the ice when Moore was out there.

As for Moore, remember the poor guy suffered a hideous head trauma. What may seem like over the top decisions to us seem normal to him. Would we respond any less extreme? Would we have all of our faculties and judgement after similar injuries?

Let the courts sort it out.

[hockey2k]

The coach is somewhat responsible if he intentionally put Bertuzzi on the ice when Moore was out there. 

Is the Avs coach just as responsible for putting Moore out during Bertuzzi's shift? Bert's on the top line, he gets a lot of ice time. Kinda hard to avoid putting him in.

As for Moore, remember the poor guy suffered a hideous head trauma.  What may seem like over the top decisions to us seem normal to him.  Would we respond any less extreme?  Would we have all of our faculties and judgement after similar injuries?

I'm sure it's not Moore himself who is making the decsions, true. More like his lawyers/family.

[Veca]

The lost in translation thing is a big problem. I know that from experience. As for quotes, I have a hard time with anything I see in the press.
From time to time if I want details about something, I read all the press I can. Just go from one paper to another and see what a different slant to the same story you will find. It's easy by omitting a word or sentence here and there and you get a totally different meaning to the whole story.
I would wait before judging what Naslund said or didn't say. As for the players on the lockout, they also had to be careful as to what they were quoted saying.

Bettman pretty well got what he wanted, a splintered union when the players were going behind Goodenow's back and trying to get some deal made. That was his chance to see to it that the union would be no more. He just was too stupid to make a deal that would be a union buster. No, he had to be a big idiot and listen to his "eight" teams and try to get even tougher and renege on what was already accepted by the NHL. Here the players were willing to give in to the cap that their union had been firmly against and it still wasn't enough for Bettman!!!
I am so sick of all of this!!!

Best of luck for Moore. Suing is his right and I hope he can get what he deserves.

[Francaise]

By suing the owners? Okay, sue the dude who "hurt" you. But everyone on the list? Whatever. I agree with Naslund. I wouldn't have said it to the press if I were him, that wasn't the best thing, maybe sitting around with his buddies, he could say that. Oh well..............

[Veca]

Hey, suing is the only way to go. Go for the deepest pockets if you really want to get some money out of it....deep pockets, words to live by!!

[Francaise]

Well good luck to Monsieur Moore. (NOT!!!) At least he will get a paycheck this year and not be wokring. nyuk nyuk nyuk