|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
September 13, 2005Datsyuk contract saga not done yetByRecord-Eagle sports editor TRAVERSE CITY - The wait continues. Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland said Monday it might be another week before Pavel Datsyuk's fate with the team is decided. Holland is waiting to hear whether the center, a restricted free agent, will return to the Wings this season or remain in Russia and play for either Moscow Dynamo or Avangard Omsk. "I talked to (agent) Gary Greenstin Sunday afternoon and he said they need another week - they need more time to make their final decision," Holland said. Datsyuk's absence was a topic of discussion Monday as the Wings reported to Centre ICE for pre-camp physicals. Training camp starts this morning. Holland, who said he has been in constant contact with Greenstin, said he is prepared to wait. "My hope is that he ends up in a Red Wings uniform - however long it takes," Holland said. "Hopefully, eventually, we'll get word he's coming back. "Obviously, the sooner the better. But if it means we have to wait to get Pavel in our lineup I'll wait. At this stage of the game I don't think it's going to have any impact as to our eventual roster. We're not going to be able to go out and find a player that's close to Pavel. If you look at the open market, there's lots of players out there that we think could be third- or fourth-line players in the NHL. But he's (Datsyuk) a top six forward." Datsyuk, who played for Moscow Dynamo last winter during the NHL lockout, signed a contract with Avangard Omsk just over a week ago. A few days later, Moscow Dynamo matched the offer. The two teams, members of the Russian Super League, squared off Monday night. Holland said he wasn't sure if Datsyuk played. "I don't believe he's in the lineup, but I'm not 100 percent sure," he said. Even if Datsyuk played in the game, Holland said it would not change his plans. He'll continue to talk to Greenstin until Datsyuk gives the Wings an answer. The Wings have until Oct. 5 to re-sign the 27-year-old, who had 30 goals and 38 assists in the 2003-04 season. The Wings open their season Oct. 5 with St. Louis. After Oct. 5, Datsyuk would have to clear waivers before he could return to Detroit. Holland said he has offered Datsyuk two- and three-year deals. "It's their choice," he said. Because of the league salary cap - and the amount of money he has already committed to other players - Holland has little if any wiggle room with Datsyuk's contract. "I have money set aside," Holland said. "They know where we're at. We are not negotiating. He just has to decide." Datsyuk's teammates were hopeful Monday a deal could be reached. "Obviously, we're hoping they get something done and get him here in the next few days or however long it would take for him to fly over," winger Kirk Maltby said. "It would be very unfortunate if they don't get something done because he's a huge part of this team offensively - and he's a good kid, too. "It seems like a lot of mixed messages are being sent Kenny's way (from Datsyuk's agent). Hopefully, they'll get that straightened out and get a deal done." Center Kris Draper echoed those sentiments "Obviously, we would love to have him in our lineup," Draper said. "We're excited about our team, but you put Pavel in there and it puts us in the upper echelon. "He's a guy who can play a lot of minutes. He had a great year two years ago. We hope he's back. We hope it all works out and he can be part of this hockey club. But he has to make a decision on what's best for him and his family. We just hope it's here playing in Detroit."
|
|
