Monday, July 11, 2005

Chelios is realistic about future

By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

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DETROIT -- Chris Chelios understands the reality, and it is this: His Red Wings -- and, potentially, his NHL -- career is over.

Chelios, who took part in the celebrity softball game as part of All-Star festivities Sunday at Comerica Park, said if the NHL labor agreement is approved, he would have to shop around for a team that can afford him.

Chelios, 43, is an unrestricted free agent and would have to take a severe pay cut to remain with the Wings.

"In my position, being my age, with the (salary) cap, that pretty much gets me out," Chelios said. "The hard thing is having to relocate the family. I want to play really badly, but it's just going to be an issue of how many teams I can play for; that's a tough thing. It's got to end somewhere.

"I've played for 20 years, I'm not worried about a thing. I'd love to play, but if I don't, it won't be the end of the world. I still have the (minor league) Motor City Mechanics, so I don't have to leave home."

Chelios, who returned to Detroit to participate in the All-Star celebrity game, said he was shocked to hear that Red Wings coach Dave Lewis had been fired.

"It hit me from left field," Chelios said. "That was unexpected, that's for sure. That's the last thing I thought about during this whole thing. I had no idea that was in the works. Dave is a great guy."

You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at angelique.chengelis@detnews.com.