COMMENTARY

By Kara Yorio

updated 2:16 p.m. ET Aug. 16, 2005

Kara Yorio

Thirteen games. That's really all it came down to. For his attack of Steve Moore, Todd Bertuzzi got 13 regular-season games and the Canucks 2004 playoff run — which, for those who can't remember, was seven games.

So we could call it 20 games and it certainly hurt the Canucks in the playoffs, but all in all, it adds up to 20 games. Now Bertuzzi is back, for the beginning of the 2005-06 season.

I don't know what the answer is here. I'll admit it. Permanent banishment from the NHL? It does seem extreme. Then again, Bertuzzi's actions were extreme. I go back and forth on how much is enough. But this is not enough.

This much I do know — this was not a 17-month suspension as commissioner Gary Bettman calls it in his decision to reinstate Bertuzzi. The suspension technically continued during the lockout and kept Bertuzzi from playing in Europe or any other professional league or in the World Cup or world championships. That's too bad. And that is irrelevant to the NHL's decision.

Bertuzzi was brought up on legal charges, and Bettman cites this as part of the payback the big winger has made. Again, not relevant to the NHL's issue. Bettman also mentions that for Bertuzzi and his wife, the commissioner has "no doubt that this period of indefinite suspension has been marked by uncertainty, anxiety, stress and emotional pain for the Bertuzzi family."

Also cited: He lost endorsements. He lost a half-million dollars in salary. That is all too bad. And there is no sarcastic tone here, really. It is too bad. But aren't these the direct consequences of his actions, the perfectly appropriate and understandable outcome when you are held accountable for your actions and your actions are over-the-line — and to the British Columbia authorities, illegal?

BERTUZZI SUSPENSION IS OVER Bertuzzi tells fans: 'I will see you soon' Ex-Avs player Moore surprised by ruling TSN's Yorio: Ruling is a sham Bertuzzi reinstated, 17 months after attack

Bertuzzi did this to himself when he made the decision, a premeditated decision, to attack an opponent from behind. He regrets what he did and that's good. He has gone through a lot, admittedly. He has not gone through the longest suspension in NHL history, not in reality. This was not a full season-plus lost. This was not 17 months. This was 13, OK 20, NHL games.

Is that enough? No. It's just not. Not even close. Not even if Steve Moore was healthy and ready to take the ice on opening night.