Gary Bettman

Dale Hunter is a stoic player who keeps his feelings under wraps in good times and bad.But yesterday, when he emerged from a team meeting in which Capitals general manager David Poile announced Hunter had been named to the NHL All-Star team as a special selection by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, he was anything but stoic"I don't know what to say," Hunter said, his eyes moist, his voice catching. "Give me a few minutes."Hunter joins Philadelphia Flyers center Dale Hawerchuk as the commissioner's choices for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

TORONTO -- People with knowledge of last week's collective bargaining negotiations confirmed last night that the NHL owners have offered the players a deal that doesn't include a payroll tax.It is the tax, which the players call a salary cap in disguise, that has been the deal breaker thus far in keeping the players locked out and postponing the start of the season for 81 days, as of yesterday.The league also has offered the NHL Players Association a deal that includes a salary tax, but the player representatives from the 26 teams emphatically rejected that approach last night when they met at a lakefront hotel.

CHICAGO - After rejecting the latest league proposal without attempting to negotiate off it, NHL players association executive director Bob Goodenow is rumored to be ready to present the league with another proposal before tomorrow - when most observers expect the league will cancel the rest of the 2004-05 season. It's unlikely any public statements will be made other than to announce a deal or the season's cancellation. But rumors are spreading Goodenow will present NHL commissioner Gary Bettman with a proposal for a deal that may run for as long as eight seasons.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made his first disciplinary ruling yesterday, and, in the words of Washington Capitals general manager David Poile, it appears the "past is past."Bettman handed out the longest suspension in NHL history for an on-ice incident -- 21 games to Capitals center Dale Hunter for a blindside hit that dislocated Pierre Turgeon's shoulder in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series between Washington and the New York Islanders."I think this is a clear message of his tolerance," said Poile.

BaseballPirates: Released OF Mike Kingery.Mariners: Signed P Rusty Meacham to a one-year contract.Padres: Waived 1B Jason Thompson.Rangers: Named Alex Smith player development assistant.Reds: Signed P Noe Najera, who was selected in 1996 Rule 5 draft.Tyler Wildcatters (Texas-Louisiana League): Named Darrell Evans manager.BasketballHawks: Activated F Tyrone Corbin from injured list. Waived F Willie Burton and F Darrin Hancock.Celtics: Waived C Brett Szabo.Heat: Activated F Tony Farmer from injured list.

Former Dunbar High School basketball star David Wingate received National Basketball Association clearance to rejoin the San Antonio Spurs yesterday and may play with the team tonight in San Antonio, Texas, against the Philadelphia 76ers."

NAGANO, Japan -- Maybe next time, the U.S. men's ice hockey professionals should just stay home.They've certainly done their best to ruin the first Olympic tournament to include National Hockey League players, an international breakthrough for the sport.After their elimination by the Czech Republic, the Americans capped off a week of questionable conduct and embarrassing play by trashing their quarters in the Olympic Village, U.S. Olympic Committee officials said.In 1980, ABC's Al Michaels shouted, "Do you believe in miracles?"

Washington Capitals center Dale Hunter was found guilty by the NHL yesterday of "unwarranted, unsportsmanlike and excessive conduct" and will be suspended for slamming New York Islanders center Pierre Turgeon into the boards and causing him to suffer a concussion and a separated shoulder in Game 6 Wednesday.The incident came while Turgeon was celebrating scoring the Islanders' final goal with 8:31 left in a 5-3 victory that eliminated the Capitals from the Stanley Cup playoffs.Hunter will be suspended without pay for an unspecified number of games next season.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Washington Capitals can't wait to get to practice tomorrow. It is there they hope to find their offense.After a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last night, it was more apparent than ever that the Capitals haven't found it yet."With all our preseason games and all our travel, it's taken a toll," said coach Terry Murray, whose team is 4-3-1. "I'm not interested in making excuses, but our quality practice time has been impeded. We haven't had a chance to do any work on the power play or in the offensive part of the game."

LOS ANGELES -- The start of the NHL season is likely to be delayed again, until Nov. 1 or later, unless a still-unfinished proposal by the players association is accepted by the league's Board of Governors on Tuesday in New York.If the plan isn't submitted Monday -- a spokesman for the NHLPA said yesterday only that it "probably will be" -- or if a proposal is made and the league rejects it, the governors are expected to push the start of the season back from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1."I think we're getting real tight for Oct. 15," said Jack Ferreira, general manager of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.