Hockey

The NHL is showing little sympathy for retired players who want their pensions increased from a fund bursting with what they say are huge surpluses.

In court in Toronto, league lawyer Earl Cherniak said players just feel they made a bad deal two decades ago when they agreed to trade control of their pension plan and personal financial contributions to the teams.

In return, teams agreed to fully fund the pension scheme that Mark Zigler, attorney for the players, said earned surpluses of $3 million in 1982 and $25 million in 1985. That money should be used to increase pensions of players who retired before 1982, Zigler said.

Arbitrator Larry Bertuzzi will announce his decision in the Eric Lindros matter today. The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers each have claimed that Lindros had been traded to their team by the Quebec Nordiques.