Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Russian team signs Datsyuk

Wings general manager Holland isn't sure whether playmaker can come back to the NHL this season.

By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Datsyuk Lost cause? Should the Red Wings wait to see if Pavel Datsyuk can be lured away from his Russian team, or use the money to sign someone else now? Keep trying for Datsyuk Sign someone else Get results and comments Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

DETROIT -- This new era in the NHL keeps getting more difficult for the Red Wings.

Already hamstrung by a $39 million salary cap, the Wings on Monday lost restricted free-agent forward Pavel Datsyuk to the Russian Superleague team Avangard Omsk in Siberia. No figures were confirmed, but reports out of Russia had Datsyuk signing with Avangard for one year at $6 million.

What's not known is whether Datsyuk is committed to Omsk for the entire season. Under NHL regulations, a restricted free agent must sign by Dec. 1 to be eligible for the rest of the season.

Wings general manager Ken Holland said he didn't know the nature of Datsyuk's obligations to Avangard.

Regardless, it appears there was a considerable gap between what Datsyuk requested and what the Wings offered in salary.

"I think I am worth at least what (Dany) Heatley or (Joe) Thornton got from their deals," the Reuters news agency quoted Datsyuk as telling Russian reporters Monday.

Thornton signed for three years and $21 million with Boston, and Heatley for three years and $13.5 million with Ottawa.

The Wings were offering Datsyuk between $3 million and $4 million per season on a one-, three- or four-year contract. But re-signing him might have been difficult even without a salary cap.

"Obviously it's a disappointing loss," Holland said. "We were really counting on him."

Messages to Datsyuk's agent, Gary Greenstin, were not returned Monday.

Holland said he talked with Greenstin and Datsyuk extensively the last few days and proposed a variety of contracts. He also said he moved off his original offer, increasing the dollar amounts.

But no offer appealed to Datsyuk, who starred in Russia with Moscow Dynamo last season (17 goals in 47 games; six goals in 10 playoff games) during the NHL lockout.

Datsyuk, 27, had 30 goals and 38 assists with the Wings during the 2003-04 season. But he faltered in the playoffs with six points (all assists) in 12 games.

In 37 career playoff games, he has three goals and nine assists.

Datsyuk and the Wings didn't agree to a contract leading into the lockout season, the first sign the sides weren't close to negotiating a new deal.

The Wings are $7 million under the salary cap with four roster spots to fill.

Along with re-signing Henrik Zetterberg, they could turn their attention to an available unrestricted free agent such as Peter Bondra, although that could be difficult given the need to leave salary-cap space available in the event Datsyuk becomes available.

Bondra is reportedly asking for $3 million to $4 million annually.

Holland said he spoke with Zetterberg's agent, Marc Levine, last week, but talks were tabled for the holiday weekend. He said he will contact Levine today.

Despite the loss of Datsyuk, Holland said the Wings have enough offense to be competitive, with the likes of Robert Lang and Brendan Shanahan leading the way.

Holland also said new coach Mike Babcock excelled with a checking style that resulted in fewer goals, but victories just the same, in his days with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

"We'll be a difficult team to play against," Holland said.