Todd Bertuzzi Back in the NHL Docket

The poster boy for goon hockey is in New York today to meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Todd Bertuzzi is looking for reinstatement as an NHL player.

Bettman will also hear from Steve Moore, the man on the receiving end of the assault that earned Bertuzzi an indefinite suspension in March of last year. The Associated Press reports that "Moore's condition will likely be a factor in determining whether Bertuzzi will be allowed to return to the NHL once the league works out its labor dispute with players."

Bertuzzi has missed 20 NHL games since his suspension was announced.

Update: The hearing ended with no immediate decision on Bertuzzi's status. Bertuzzi and his representatives avoided the media, but Steve Moore's lawyer made his position clear. "We made it clear that unfortunately Steve is not where he would like to be medically," Tim Danson told reporters. "We have some serious obstacles ahead and, as a consequence, it's our view that reinstatement would be premature."