Tigers#1
08-03-2005, 12:36 AM
Wings deny rumor of Datsyuk-for-Thornton trade
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
By Ansar Khan
DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was busy working the phones Monday, the first day of NHL free agency.
There was little activity, as GMs and player agents try to gauge the marketplace under the league's new $39 million salary cap.
In the meantime, the Red Wings refuted a rumor that they're on the verge of a blockbuster trade in which they would acquire center Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins for Pavel Datsyuk.
A Wings spokesman said there is no validity to the rumor. Holland didn't respond to a phone message.
The Thornton-for-Datsyuk speculation can be traced to a comment made by Bruins GM Mike O'Connell, who told the Boston Herald on Sunday that he was working on a ``huge'' deal that would either be consummated or fall apart on Monday.
Thornton and Datsyuk are both restricted free agents.
Thornton received a $5.13 million qualifying offer from the Bruins, after rejecting a five-year deal reportedly worth $25 million. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Thornton can be an unrestricted free agent next summer, putting pressure on the Bruins to either sign him this season or risk losing him for nothing next July.
The Wings and Datsyuk remain far apart in contract talks. His agent, Gary Greenstin, said Datsyuk has ``a great offer'' from a team in the Russian Superleague.
Greenstin said Monday he had not spoken to the Bruins and reiterated that Datsyuk's priority is to re-sign with Detroit. But, Greenstin said he wouldn't be surprised if the Wings traded Datsyuk.
``Anything could happen in this new hockey world,'' Greenstin said. ``This new system, nobody knows how it's going to work. We have to give 100 percent opportunity to the Detroit Red Wings to make a deal with us.''
Datsyuk earned $1.5 million during the 2003-04 season. A league source said Greenstin was seeking the same salary as Detroit's Robert Lang, who earned $5 million in '03-04 and will be paid $3.8 million this season, after the 24-percent rollback for all players.
That's far more than the Wings are prepared to spend on Datsyuk, who, despite his enormous talent, has had only one productive season and has struggled in the playoffs (no goals, six assists in 16 postseason games in 2003 and '04).
One of the many agents Holland called was Rollie Thompson, who represents former Wings goaltender Chris Osgood.
``I would assume (Osgood) would be one of the goalies on their list,'' Thompson said. ``It would make sense.''
Osgood is a potential alternative if the Wings are unable to sign Nikolai Khabibulin of Tampa Bay. Khabibulin, 32, is reportedly seeking a five-year deal. The Wings aren't likely to offer more than three years and, due to cap space, are more limited than many other clubs.
A Wings spokesman said Holland did not have a chance to speak with team captain Steve Yzerman on Monday regarding his decision on the club's offer of a one-year contract. They hope to make an announcement by Wednesday.
Tuesday, August 2, 2005
By Ansar Khan
DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was busy working the phones Monday, the first day of NHL free agency.
There was little activity, as GMs and player agents try to gauge the marketplace under the league's new $39 million salary cap.
In the meantime, the Red Wings refuted a rumor that they're on the verge of a blockbuster trade in which they would acquire center Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins for Pavel Datsyuk.
A Wings spokesman said there is no validity to the rumor. Holland didn't respond to a phone message.
The Thornton-for-Datsyuk speculation can be traced to a comment made by Bruins GM Mike O'Connell, who told the Boston Herald on Sunday that he was working on a ``huge'' deal that would either be consummated or fall apart on Monday.
Thornton and Datsyuk are both restricted free agents.
Thornton received a $5.13 million qualifying offer from the Bruins, after rejecting a five-year deal reportedly worth $25 million. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Thornton can be an unrestricted free agent next summer, putting pressure on the Bruins to either sign him this season or risk losing him for nothing next July.
The Wings and Datsyuk remain far apart in contract talks. His agent, Gary Greenstin, said Datsyuk has ``a great offer'' from a team in the Russian Superleague.
Greenstin said Monday he had not spoken to the Bruins and reiterated that Datsyuk's priority is to re-sign with Detroit. But, Greenstin said he wouldn't be surprised if the Wings traded Datsyuk.
``Anything could happen in this new hockey world,'' Greenstin said. ``This new system, nobody knows how it's going to work. We have to give 100 percent opportunity to the Detroit Red Wings to make a deal with us.''
Datsyuk earned $1.5 million during the 2003-04 season. A league source said Greenstin was seeking the same salary as Detroit's Robert Lang, who earned $5 million in '03-04 and will be paid $3.8 million this season, after the 24-percent rollback for all players.
That's far more than the Wings are prepared to spend on Datsyuk, who, despite his enormous talent, has had only one productive season and has struggled in the playoffs (no goals, six assists in 16 postseason games in 2003 and '04).
One of the many agents Holland called was Rollie Thompson, who represents former Wings goaltender Chris Osgood.
``I would assume (Osgood) would be one of the goalies on their list,'' Thompson said. ``It would make sense.''
Osgood is a potential alternative if the Wings are unable to sign Nikolai Khabibulin of Tampa Bay. Khabibulin, 32, is reportedly seeking a five-year deal. The Wings aren't likely to offer more than three years and, due to cap space, are more limited than many other clubs.
A Wings spokesman said Holland did not have a chance to speak with team captain Steve Yzerman on Monday regarding his decision on the club's offer of a one-year contract. They hope to make an announcement by Wednesday.