NHL: In N.Y., Tarik El-Bashir reports that NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman is likely to approve the Islanders
trading RW Ziggy Palffy and D Rich Pilon to the Rangers for
F Todd Harvey, F Niklas Sundstrom, a '99 first-round draft
pick, a minor leaguer and $2.5M. The proposed deal would
trim the Islanders "already meager" annual payroll by
another $6.7M (N.Y. TIMES, 6/14). NEWSDAY's Joe Gergen, on
the Isles: "What's left is a largely faceless collection of
players who will not strain a proposed $15 million budget
while the owners wait for Nassau County to erect a state-of-
the-art arena. They shouldn't hold their breath." More
Gergen: "The Islanders ... are headed nowhere unless it is
out of town" (NEWSDAY, 6/14)....Mario Lemieux, on asking
Wayne Gretzky if he was interested in joining his bid to buy
the Penguins: "I told him I still had room for him [on the
investment team], but he didn't bite" (PITT. POST-GAZETTE,
6/13)....In Montreal, Ted Blackman wrote on Molson's
possible interest in the Expos and noted that there "are
some brilliant Montrealers giving some serious thought to
this concept, and not a moment too soon" (GAZETTE, 6/13).
NOTES: In Boston, Peter Gammons noted talk that the
sale of the Mets to Cablevision "is no more than a month
away." Mets co-Owner Fred Wilpon's role is "still uncertain
since he wants to run the show." Gammons added that MLB
"would allow" the Dolans to buy the Indians and "still own
the Mets under the Cablevision name." The Dolans "may have
more interest" in the Jets and Indians (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/13).
...In Hartford, Swift & Puleo wrote an extensive report on
the failed attempt by Hartford to lure the Patriots and
wrote, "Months before the deal fell apart [the team] was not
fully committed to the Hartford stadium effort." Swift &
Puleo added, "The research reveals much about what [CT Gov.
John] Rowland didn't know going into the deal, and what he
overlooked along the way" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/13).
AROUND THE HORN: In Dallas, Barry Horn profiled Stars/
MLB Rangers President Jim Lites: "[He's] a lawyer by
training, a salesman by disposition, a charmer by choice
[who] has the best job in the world" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
6/13)....David Letterman, on the Yankees recent visit to the
White House: "The Yankees were very excited about being at
the White House, you know. It gave them the opportunity to
meet the all-time home-run king" ("Late Show," CBS, 6/11).
