Roberts, first draft pick pressing issues for team

Apart from their desire to profit fully from their highest draft choice since 1992, much of the Calgary Flames’ attention of late has been devoted to the matter of Gary Roberts’ desire to play again. Eleven months after announcing his retirement, Roberts confirmed he is working out with a personal trainer, with a view to returning to the NHL. Pre-draft speculation The Flames need help down the middle, but Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Olli Jokinen and Daniel Tkaczuk will likely be gone by the time they pick sixth. If goalie Roberto Luongo also creeps into the top five, the logical choice would be Sergei Samsonov. Payroll The $15.4-million (U.S.) payroll will go down $1.5 million with the likely departure of unrestricted free agent Dave Gagner, but could go up if they sign one…

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE

Here’s one way to clear NHL’s crowded creases

It’s obvious the NHL must do something about the in-the-crease rule in the off-season. The league should bring back the rectangle in the crease and introduce the following rules: ?No skates of an opposing player are allowed in the rectangle crease at any time, regardless of puck location. ?One skate of an opposing player is allowed in the semi-circle regardless of puck location, provided the player isn’t interfering with the goaltender. This way goalies would have their space and goals would not be disallowed for marginal crease infractions. Donovan Strickler, Greensberg, Pa. No goal! No goal! Wait a minute! The video replay judge has just waved off Martin Brodeur’s empty net goal against the Montreal Canadiens because Brodeur was in the crease when he shot the puck. Glen Weber, Brooklyn, N. Y. Make them sit Now that players can’t…

COMING OF AGE

The trademark Bob Clarke squint is reserved for special occasions. When a slash was needed to turn the tide of the 1972 Summit Series or an overtime goal was the only thing that could salvage the 1974 Stanley Cup, the Philadelphia Flyer Hall of Famer’s eyes would narrow. The famous expression re-emerged in May when he was asked to comment on a poll of NHL executives by The Hockey News that concluded Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg is a better player than Philadelphia Flyers’ captain Eric Lindros. “Different planet,” Clarke spat out. “Lindros is on a different planet than Forsberg in my opinion,” Clarke said. “Forsberg is a great, great player, but he was on a better team last year.” This year Lindros is on a better team. The Flyers stampeded over the Pittsburgh Penguins,…