Bettman dodges Cherry controversy

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman declined to elaborate Monday on Canadian TV pro hockey commentator Don Cherry’s polarizing remarks and dismissal, saying the matter has been sufficiently covered.

"I believe the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) has had a number of statements, we've had a number of statements, Don has spoken, and I'm not going to start another news cycle," Bettman said during a panel discussion at the PrimeTime sports management conference.

The 85-year-old broadcaster was fired a week ago for calling immigrants "you people" in a television rant in which he said new immigrants are not honoring the country's fallen soldiers. His firing by Sportsnet has dominated Canadian news.

The league earlier described Cherry’s comments as “offensive and contrary to the values we believe in."

The commissioner said Sportsnet broadcaster Ron MacLean "spoke from the heart" during his monologue on "Hockey Night in Canada" over the weekend. MacLean opened the first intermission segment — the first since Cherry was fired — by speaking alone for nearly five minutes.

MacLean talked about his close relationship with Cherry but said he had to choose "principle over friendship," adding that Cherry’s "Coach's Corner” segment “is no more." Sportsnet is exploring new formats for that slot.

Devils waive Schneider

Goaltender Cory Schneider, a one-time All-Star and one of the main faces of the New Jersey Devils, was placed on waivers Monday.

The Devils tweeted Monday that the 33-year-old veteran would be assigned to Binghamton of the AHL if not claimed. It seems unlikely a team would do so, since it would inherit his $6 million annual salary, which runs through the 2021-22 season. Also, Schneider had battled a hip injury in recent years.

He has an 0-4-1 record in six starts this season and has played only twice in the last 13 games. The former Boston College star and Massachusetts native had a goals against average of 4.59 and a .852 save percentage.

Concussion idles Okposo

Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with his fourth concussion in a little more than 2½ years.

The Sabres provided the update in posting their weekly injury report Monday, two days after Okposo was hurt in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. It happened with five minutes left in the second period, when Okposo took the ice and accidentally collided with Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey.

This marks the fourth consecutive season the 31-year-old player has been sidelined by a concussion. The most serious one happened when he missed the final two weeks of 2017-18 and spent nearly a week in a hospital after what he called a routine hit in practice.

Okposo missed three games in March 2018 after a concussion from a collision with Ottawa's Bobby Ryan. And he missed a week last February when punched in the face by New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo.

Okposo is a 13-year veteran in his fourth season in Buffalo. He has a goal and four assists in 19 games.

The Sabres also announced center Tage Thompson will be out three to five weeks with an upper body injury. He was hurt in a 4-1 loss at Chicago on Sunday and after being called up from the minors to replace Okposo.

Surgery for Habs

Canadiens forwards Jonathan Drouin and Paul Byron are scheduled for surgery and will be out indefinitely.

Drouin injured a wrist and Byron a knee Friday during Montreal’s 5-2 victory at Washington. Coach Claude Julien says the team hopes to have a better idea in a few days on when they can return.

Drouin was leveled by a hard check by Capitals star Alex Ovechkin in the second period, though the Canadiens say his injury came from an unrelated play in the third period. Drouin has been off to a strong start with seven goals and eight assists in 19 games.

Byron limped to the locker room late in the game. He has one goal and three assists.

The Canadiens recalled forward Charles Hudon from Laval of the AHL.

Montreal has points in six straight games and plays in Columbus on Tuesday.