when he took a $3
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 9:00 am
Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton told reporters after practice on Tuesday that he has decided not to appeal his 15-game NHL suspension to an independent arbitrator. . "Id rather not be a distraction around here and Id rather just focus on getting ready for Jan. 11 (in San Jose)," he said. Last Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Thorntons punishment for his actions in a game against Pittsburgh earlier this month. Thornton and the NHL Players Association had seven days to appeal to a neutral arbitrator. Thornton, who appealed the ban, was suspended for punching and injuring an unsuspecting opponent in a game at Boston on Dec. 7. He slew-footed Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik to the ice and landed gloved punches to his head. Orpik was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion. Bettman heard Thorntons appeal at a hearing in New York on Dec. 20. . The native of St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., was in the middle of the pack for most of the freestyle sprint final but blasted down the hill into the stadium to reach the final straightaway in fourth spot, where he reeled in two Norwegians to lock up second place. . "Ive got a lot of work to do on this team and the sooner that I can get back to my office and start that work, itll be better," he said straight-faced as the rest of the room erupted in laughter. . Mats Zuccarello had no complaints when the puck found its way into the net. Zuccarello broke up a scoreless duel between two Olympic goalies with 5:58 remaining, lifting the Rangers to a 1-0 victory over the Red Wings on Thursday night. NEW YORK -- Tone Time is over for the New York Jets. The Jets parted ways with wide receiver Santonio Holmes on Monday, cutting the talented but injury-plagued playmaker after four seasons. The move, which had been expected, saves the Jets $8.25 million, which Holmes was due to make as his base salary this season. He was also scheduled to have a $10.75 million cap number, a lofty total for a one-time Super Bowl MVP who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency the last two seasons. The Jets also released cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Sunday, clearing $17.75 million of salary cap space before the NFLs free agency period starts Tuesday. New York could also save another $8.3 million if they cut quarterback Mark Sanchez, who missed last season with a shoulder injury. Holmes, who turned 30 last Monday, had 23 catches -- the second-lowest total of his career -- for 456 yards and a touchdown in 11 games last season. He missed five games midway through the season with a hamstring injury. Holmes played in just four games in 2012 and was sidelined for several months after suffering a career-threatening foot injury. In December, Holmes said he would be willing to restructure his contract to remain a member of the Jets, adding that how much of a pay cut hed be asked to take probably wouldnt play into his decision to want to stay. "I appreciate Tones contributions over the last four seasons," coach Rex Ryan said in a statement. "Ive always admired his knack for making the clutch play. Hes a tremendous competitor who wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. I wish him nothing but the best." Holmes signed a five-year, $45 million deal before the 2011 season after a solid first year with the Jets, who acquired him from Pittsburgh for a fifth-round draft pick. He agreed to restructure his contracct in March 2012, when he took a $3. . 5 million cut to his scheduled base salary of $11 million for last season. Holmes was a controversial figure at times during his tenure with the Jets, butting heads with Sanchez and the teams offensive linemen during the 2011 season. In the season finale at Miami, he got into an argument with offensive tackle Wayne Hunter in the huddle and was benched for the rest of the game. The mercurial wide receiver also had a contentious relationship with the media, keeping his answers short during most group interviews. He inadvertently made headlines last season when he called Carolinas secondary the Panthers defences "weakest link" while trying to credit the unit -- but providing bulletin board for an opponent that went out and beat the Jets 30-20. Holmes was a first-round draft pick by the Steelers out of Ohio State in 2006 and was selected the Super Bowl MVP in his third season after he caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 35 seconds left to lead Pittsburgh past Arizona. He had his best statistical performance the following season with 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns. But Holmes was traded to the Jets the following off-season after the Steelers tired of his numerous legal troubles. Holmes was suspended for his first four games with the Jets for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy, but quickly became one of the teams primary playmakers when he returned. He played a key role in three straight wins with big catches late in games, prompting Ryan to label those types of clutch moments as "Tone Time." He also helped lead the Jets to their second straight AFC title game appearance, in which they lost to Holmes former team. Holmes has 381 career catches for 5,963 yards and 36 touchdowns in eight NFL seasons. ' ' '