Lindros Decision Delayed Again

Arbitrator Larry Bertuzzi said Friday that he won’t announce his ruling on the two NHL trades involving Eric Lindros until at least Monday.

The Quebec Nordiques apparently traded the rights to Lindros on Saturday, first to the Philadelphia Flyers, then to the New York Rangers. Bertuzzi is to rule on whether a trade took place.

The arbitration hearings were expected to last only a day or two, but dragged through the week with morning, afternoon and evening sessions.

The Flyers reportedly offered $15 million plus a package of players and draft picks for Lindros, and the Rangers topped that with $20 million, plus players and picks.

Bertuzzi said it “has to be the most complex set of negotiations that has gone on in a long time, anywhere. If this was in the courts, it might take weeks. To hear everyone’s story and to give everyone a chance to question witnesses takes time.”