More On Markus Naslund

Markus Naslund made his retirement official on Monday.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post has a real nice piece about Naslund's classy decision to retire rather than wait and hope for a buy-out in June.

The Blueshirts, however, could have -- and assuredly would have -- bought out Naslund for $2 million during the June 15-30 buyout period. Under that scenario, the team would have been hit with a $2 million cap charge for 2009-10 and a $1 million charge for 2010-11. Knowing that, Naslund simply could have said nothing and collected the $2 million to which he would have been entitled.

Naslund passed on a $2 million payment next month, and the possibility of playing next season in Sweden. He easily could have waited until July to announce his retirement, but he did not want to put the New York Rangers in any limbo.