Insurance Troubles for the World Cup

It looks like the uncertain NHL free agent market will dim the star power of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Without an NHL contract for next season, Mathieu Schneider will not play for Team USA. "Mathieu has informed us that, due to his unsettled contract situation, he has regretfully withdrawn," says American GM Larry Pleau.

Alexei Zhitnik, another defenseman waiting on a new NHL deal, is expected to decline his place on the Russian team for the same reason. A report from Canadian Press says the problem is the level of insurance coverage offered to World Cup players:

"Players under NHL contract are insured for the balance of their NHL contracts while players not under NHL contracts are insured for two years of projected earnings. Zhitnik apparently is disatisfied with the level of insurance being offered him."

Is Wayne Gretzky waiting on an unwelcome phone call from Jarome Iginla? Apparently not. Iginla was in Edmonton today doing World Cup promo work.