Blue Notes

The former mega-agent for Wayne Gretzky and other stars who was Phoenix GM from 2001-2007, today was named senior adviser to Glen Sather---a long-time friend---and director of U.S. amateur scouting.
Barnett, who is credited with beginning to rebuild and restock the Coyotes farm system, was fired by new ownership in a front-office housecleaning in April 2007. He was questioning during a New Jersey police gambling investigation in 2006, but he was not charged.
Last August, Phoenix assistant coach Rick Tocchet was sentenced to two years probation for conspiracy and promoting gambling in connection with his role in the multimillion-dollar sports betting ring. Tocchet did not take bets on NHL games.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Barnett placed a bet of a few hundred dollars on a Super Bowl with Tocchet.
"I met with investigators from the state of New Jersey last night and answered all of their questions honestly and in their entirety," Barnett said in a statement. "They informed me that my conduct has in no way violated either federal or state laws."