Injured LaFontaine Cleared to Travel and See Specialist

New York Ranger center Pat LaFontaine, sidelined since March 16 because of a head injury, has been given the OK to travel to Chicago to see a specialist.

Ranger General Manager Neil Smith announced Thursday that LaFontaine will travel to Chicago for a meeting with Dr. James Kelly of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

LaFontaine has missed the last four games after suffering a head injury against the Ottawa Senators. He had complained of headaches and was advised by doctors not to travel until he felt better.

LaFontaine, 33, is the Rangers’ leading goal-scorer this season with 23 in his first year with the team. He missed most of last season for Buffalo after suffering the fifth concussion of his career.

Also Thursday, Ranger defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right wrist.

Smith announced that Karpovtsev will sit out the rest of the season, but is expected to be back in time for training camp.

Karpovtsev, 27, had three goals and seven assists in 47 games this season.

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The Washington Capitals, seeking to bolster their struggling offense as the playoffs approach, signed three-time all-star left wing Brian Bellows.

Bellows has spent the 1997-98 season with the Berlin Capitals of the German professional league. Previously, he played 15 NHL seasons with Minnesota, Montreal, Tampa Bay and the Mighty Ducks.

Bellows had 15 goals and 17 assists for Berlin.

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The Dallas Stars got back two keyplayers when they activated defenseman Sergei Zubov and left wing Dave Reid from injured reserve.

The Stars still have four players on injured reserve including center Mike Modano, out four weeks because of a separated shoulder, and winger Benoit Hogue, out at least seven days with a facial fracture.