Blackhawks' Pulford to Remain on Negotiating Team

NEW YORK - The Blackhawks will not be mere spectators during whatcould be hockey's waning days.

General manager Bob Pulford has decided to continue as a memberof the owners' negotiating team, headed by NHL commissioner GaryBettman.

Bettman asked Pulford, who in 1966 was the first president ofthe NHL players association, to sit in during the final two days oflabor talks with the union last week in Chicago.

"Having gone through this back in '92 and before, I didn't havea great deal of enthusiasm for (negotiating) again," Pulford saidafter the 2 1/2-hour board of governors meeting here Monday.;

"But I feel I have a lot to offer. I've been there …