February 18th

FORSBERG MAY MAKE DECISION BY TUESDAY

Paul Holmgren, general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, said Sunday that Peter Forsberg could decide by Tuesday if he's healthy enough to return to the NHL.

If the former league MVP does choose to play, the next decision would be where? A number of teams have expressed interest including Vancouver as well as the Flyers.

Forsberg spent one-and-a-half seasons in Philly before being traded last year to the Nashville Predators, and has been struggling with foot and ankle injurys and has been working on his fitness in Sweden while he decides on retirement or a return to the NHL.


'CANES BRIND'AMOUR DONE FOR SEASON

Carolina Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour underwent reconstructive surgery on a torn ligament in his left knee Friday, and is expected to be out for four to six months.

Brind'Amour suffered the injury during Thursday night's 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Hurricanes captain, who lead the team with 51 points (19 goals and 32 assists) is the second Carolina key offensice threat to suffer a serious knee injury.

Forward Justin Williams is expected to miss at least two more months after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in December.


RANGERS RE-SIGN DEFENCEMAN TYUTIN

The New York Rangers and defenceman Fedor Tyutin signed a four-year contract extension on Sunday.

The contract will pay the 24-year-old $11.375 million over the length of the deal. $2.25-million in the first year, 2.7, 3.0 and 3.425 in year four.

In 60 games this season, the 24-year-old has four goals and 10 assists, and in 228 career games (all with the Rangers) has 14 goals and 46 assists.


'HAWKS SIGN SEABROOK TO 3-YEAR DEAL

The Chicago Blackhawks have secured a big piece of their blueline as they signed defenceman Brent Seabrook to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

The 14th overall pick by the Blackhawks in 2003, Seabrook has scored a career high seven goals to go along with 12 assists this season and a plu/minus of +12, and in 207 career games has 16 goals and 59 assists.


'JACKETS ACTOVATE FEDOROV FROM IR

The Columbus Blue Jackes actovated center Sergei Fedorov from injured reserve Sunday and sent left wing Joakim Lindstrom to their American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse.

Fedorov missed 13 games due to a concussion sustained January 17 at Phoenix. The 38-year-old has eight goals and 19 assists in 46 games this season, and ranks among the top 50 all-time in the NHL in goals, assists and points.

Lindstrom has appeared in 14 games with the Blue Jackets this season, scoring two goals with four assists. A second-round pick in 2002, he has three goals and four assists in 23 career NHL games.



PLAYOFF STANDINGS

(RANK-TEAM--PTS--RECORD)

WEST

1-DETROIT*--87--41-15-5
2-DALLAS*--79--37-21-5
3-MINNESOTA*--72--34-21-4
4-ANAHEIM--73--33-23-7
5-SAN JOSE--70--31-19-8
6-NASHVILLE--69--31-23-7
7-VANCOUVER--66--29-22-8
8-CALGARY--66--29-22-8
__________________________________
9-COLORADO--65--30-24-5
10-PHOENIX--64--30-25-4
11-ST LOUIS--63--27-22-9
12-COLUMBUS--63--27-25-9
13-CHICAGO--60--27-25-6
14-EDMONTON--59--27-28-5
15-LOS ANGELES--53--25-33-3

EAST

1-OTTAWA*--73--34-20-5
2-NEW JERSEY*--71--33-21-5
3-CAROLINA*--64--30-27-4
4-MONTREAL--73--32-19-9
5-PITTSBURGH--71--33-21-5
6-NY RANGERS--67--30-24-5
7-PHILADELPHIA--65--30-24-5
8-BOSTON--64--29-23-6
___________________________________
9-BUFFALO--64--28-23-8
10-WASHINGTON--62--28-26-6
11-ATLANTA--62--29-28-4
12-NY ISLANDERS--61--27-25-7
13-FLORIDA--60--27-28-6
14-TORONTO--57--24-27-9
15-TAMPA BAY--56--25-28-6

(* DIVISION LEADER)


TODAY'S NHL SCHEDULE (Central time)

(3) HURRICANES @ (2) DEVILS 12pm
(5) SHARKS @ (12) ISLANDERS 1pm
(1) RED WINGS @ (9) AVALANCHE 7pm
(10) COYOTES @ (15) KINGS 930pm