Morning briefing

That could mean a big penalty box

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has touted the league’s financial strength since the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season, yet it appears that at least one player might be strapped for cash.

Montreal Canadiens rookie defenseman Ryan O’Byrne was charged with felony grand theft for stealing a woman’s purse in Tampa on Sunday. According to the police report, O’Byrne was caught by bouncers outside a nightclub in possession of the purse and using the woman’s cellphone. O’Byrne’s claim that the purse belonged to his girlfriend was quickly proved false.

According to police, $20 was missing from the purse. O’Byrne is earning $590,000 this season.

“Sometimes athletes find ways to turn a bad situation into something good,” Montreal Coach Guy Carbonneau told the Associated Press. “That’s what we’ll try and do.”

And the good that could come from this? Well, the next time O’Byrne is involved in an on-ice fight and a fan yells, “Hit him with your purse,” he just might be able to oblige.

Trivia time

In which event has Tiger Woods competed in the most without winning?

Take your seat

With Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium set to shut down after this season, security officials at both New York ballparks are on the lookout for fans who may loot, loot, loot from the home team.

The New York Post reported “cashing in on pieces of the soon-to-be-extinct Yankee and Shea stadiums could make up for this season’s and future ticket price hikes.” The report says that stadium seats will be among the most sought-after memorabilia and could fetch thousands of dollars in auctions.

The hard part will be telling apart the Yankees fans who bring wrenches to steal seats from the ones who bring wrenches to get acquainted with each other in the stands.

Must be the shoes

Bayern Munich could be down to 41-year-old Bernd Dreher in goal against Aberdeen in a UEFA Cup game in Scotland today after starter Oliver Kahn was shipped home with flu and backup Michael Rensing injured his back tying his shoes.

Yes, tying his shoes.

Still, Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld remained confident Rensing could play, telling reporters, “In an emergency we’ll find someone to tie his laces for him.”

You can already see Nike’s marketing department at work on the TV commercial.

Trivia answer

The Northern Trust (Nissan, Los Angeles, Glen Campbell, Los Angeles) Open, where Woods is 0-11.

He is in good company. Jack Nicklaus never won it either, with his best being a second-place finish in 1978. Then again, rising golf star Anthony “the Lion” Kim hasn’t won it either. That’s right, the Riviera Country Club has been no place for Lions and Tigers and Golden Bears . . . oh my.

Planes, trains and Formula Ones?

Travelers killing time in the airport at Zurich, Switzerland, will have a unique duty-free shopping opportunity this month. Formula One cars from Peter Sauber’s racing team will be auctioned there.

Just in case people were unsure, Patrick Graf, head of marketing retail for the company that operates the airport, said in a statement, “This is the first time Formula One racing cars will be up for sale at Zurich Airport.”

Still, it seems like the chance of a lifetime for those with a passion for cars (attention Ducks forward Teemu Selanne) and a hefty enough wallet for this kind of impulse buy (the cheapest car starts at about $75,000).

The drawbacks? Getting the car through airport security and fitting it in the overhead compartment.

And finally

The New York Knicks reportedly are shopping guard Stephon Marbury and his $22-million contract around the league, something Marbury is taking in stride.

“This is a business and being traded is part of it,” Marbury was quoted in Newsday this week. “Some of the best players that have ever played the game have been traded.”

Even some who have actually won championships.

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chris.foster@latimes.com