Veteran Bertuzzi put on waivers by Ducks

The Ducks cut short their attempt to resurrect Todd Bertuzzi’s career as they put the veteran forward on waivers Friday with the intention of buying out the remaining year on his contract.

General Manager Brian Burke confirmed the move as he cut loose the enigmatic 33-year-old winger, who became a star under Burke when both were with the Vancouver Canucks but whose production has dropped off dramatically in recent years.

Burke signed Bertuzzi to a two-year, $8-million contract last summer largely as a means to fill the void created by Teemu Selanne, who didn’t return to the team until this past February.

Bertuzzi, who had a concussion that knocked him out of 14 games early last season, could only recapture his scoring touch in spurts and finished with 14 goals and 40 points, his lowest totals in a full season since 1998-99 with Vancouver.

If Bertuzzi isn’t claimed, the Ducks will have to pay the winger $2.6 million up front with a salary-cap hit of $1.3 million in each of the next two seasons. The club could have $2.7 million of immediate cap relief, money that can help in the re-signing of winger Corey Perry, a potential restricted free agent.

Bertuzzi was to make $4 million in 2008-09.

“At the end of the day, I can’t justify him being at that number,” Burke said. “There’s no beef with the player whatsoever. I do this with a heavy heart.”

-- Eric Stephens

AUTO RACING

NHRA considering limits on speed

The NHRA said it would consider slowing down its top-level dragsters in the aftermath of driver Scott Kalitta’s fatal crash last weekend in Englishtown, N.J.

The NHRA said it is considering “whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced” as one of several areas of possible safety changes.

-- Jim Peltz

Rookie Patrick Carpentier grabbed his first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon with a fast lap of 129.776 mph.

Bobby Labonte was second with a lap of 129.059 and Kevin Harvick third at 128.976.

Tony Kanaan won the pole for tonight’s SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond International Raceway with a four-lap average of 167.876 mph on the 0.75-mile oval.

PRO FOOTBALL

Goodell says rookie salaries out of control

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at a sports symposium in Chautauqua, N.Y., said it’s “ridiculous” to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts, and wants the issue addressed in contract talks.

Goodell says he favors lowering salaries offered to rookies but allowing a provision for those players to renegotiate their deals after proving themselves on the field.

His statement was greeted by a long round of applause from the estimated crowd of 2,000 inside the amphitheater.

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch had his driver’s license revoked in traffic court after saying he didn’t know he hit someone while driving on a Buffalo street last month.

Administrative Law Judge Thomas Gagola also imposed the maximum $100 fine and $50 surcharge after Lynch pleaded guilty to failure to exercise due care toward a pedestrian.

OLYMPICS

China swimmer is handed lifetime ban

Ouyang Kunpeng, China’s top backstroker, was banned for life for failing a doping test, a major embarrassment for the host country only six weeks before the Beijing Olympics.

Ouyang was not considered a contender for gold at the Olympics. China is expected to produce few winners in the pool and has won only one gold medal in swimming in the last two Olympics.

Former European 1,500-meter champion Sureyya Ayhan of Turkey is appealing her lifetime ban for doping offenses, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said.

MISCELLANY

Bicycle race is set for Manhattan Beach

The Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix bicycle race will he held Sunday, with more than 1,000 riders trying for $26,500 in prize money.

The women’s pro race begins at 11:15 a.m., the men’s pro race at 1:10 p.m. on a 1.4-mile course starting at Live Oak Park in Manhattan Beach.

Davidson basketball Coach Bob McKillop has agreed to a contract extension, three months after the Wildcats’ surprising NCAA tournament run that ended with a loss to eventual champion Kansas.

Georgia basketball Coach Dennis Felton has dismissed Billy Humphrey from the team after Humphrey’s third arrest in less than a year.