Player says Todd Bertuzzi may have been 'ordered' to attack him

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Todd Bertuzzi wasn't going anywhere near the topic.

"I don't know anything about that," he said. "I don't even know what you are talking about."

New court records were released Wednesday in the on-going lawsuit brought against Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks by former Avalanche player Steve Moore, whose career was cut short by a Bertuzzi cheap-shot in 2004.

Moore is suing Bertuzzi, the Canucks and their ownership group Orca Bay. The Toronto Star on Friday reported that Moore's attorneys are trying to bring former Vancouver coach Marc Crawford and former general manager Brian Burke into the litigation, saying the two essentially "orchestrated" Bertuzzi's attack.

According to court records published by the Star, Moore said, "Crawford took his instructions from Brian Burke, his tough talking boss who also advocates in favor of violence in hockey."

Moore said he believes Burke and Crawford ordered retaliation against Moore for his hit against Canucks' captain Markus Naslund. There have been reports in the past that current Red Wing Brad May, then a Canuck, offered a bounty on Moore.

In the court report, Moore's lawyers talk about a "Code" that Bertuzzi, Crawford and Burke upheld.

The report reads: "The Code is designed to ensure that what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room and to make sure that coaches and general managers cannot be held accountable. When challenged, the Code's conspiracy of silence calls for a closing of the ranks. (Crawford), along with Burke, were responsible for enforcing a code of conduct ... with respect to the threats and/or plans of retaliation against Steve Moore."

Wings general manager Ken Holland said he didn't expect the long-running litigation to take Bertuzzi away from the team any time soon.

"No one has said anything to me, but obviously, I can't read the future," he said.

Proud moment

Nicklas Lidstrom and coach Mike Babcock were overwhelmed by the honors bestowed on them by The Sporting News on Thursday. Lidstrom was named NHL player of the decade and Babcock the coach of the decade. Holland was honored as executive of the decade.

"I was very surprised to hear that but it's something I am very proud of," Lidstrom said. "It's something you never really think about, especially with all the great players in this league. But it's very nice and it shows that we've had some good teams over the years here in Detroit and won championships. I think that's the biggest thing."

Babcock was equally thrilled.

"When you start in this league, you just hope to coach for a year, never mind anything else," Babcock said. "I remember saying if I could last in this league for five years, that would be unbelievable. So to even be considered and talked about like this is a real honor."

Roster cuts

The Wings have asked waivers on the following players: Jeremy Williams , Kris Newbury , Doug Janik , Evan McGrath and Andy Delmore . If they clear waivers, and there are no more injuries on the parent team, those players will report to Grand Rapids along with Logan Pyett , Johan Ryno and Cory Emmerton .

Newbury, who was in the lineup Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, got his orders from Babcock earlier in the day.

"He going to do a good job for us leadership-wise in the American Hockey League," Babcock said.

Holland said Darren Helm (shoulder) would start the season on the short-term injured list (seven days) and Andreas Lilja (head) on long-term injured list (24 days).

Wing tip

Henrik Zetterberg (groin) skated hard Friday morning for the first time and said he felt better. Babcock has penciled him into the lineup for Sunday against the Penguins.