Ovechkin must pick between Russia, NHL
Jul 20, 2005 5:16:46 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 20, 2005 5:16:46 GMT -5
Ovechkin must pick between Russia, NHL
Top pick in last season's draft has until midnight to decide on where he will play
By DONNA SPENCER
Wednesday, July 20, 2005 Page S7
Canadian Press
It's decision time for Alexander Ovechkin, whom the Washington Capitals picked first overall in last year's National Hockey League entry draft.
The 19-year-old forward from Moscow has until midnight EDT tonight to decide where he'll play next season.
"He has until midnight before he has to make a decision on whether he stays in Russia or whether he'll go to Washington," Ovechkin's agent, Don Meehan, said yesterday. "We had a long family discussion. I've talked to the Capitals, with [GM] George McPhee on several occasions and I'm going to talk to the family [today]. No decision yet."
A Capitals spokesperson said the team had no comment about Ovechkin until the proposed collective agreement is ratified. That is expected to happen Friday.
Ovechkin recently signed a deal with Omsk that is reported to be one year in duration, but his contract includes an escape clause should he decide to sign with an NHL team before July 20.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound forward was caught in a dispute between Omsk and his former team, Moscow Dynamo, as to which club had his rights. The matter had been scheduled to go before an arbitrator in Russia this week.
But Meehan said the two clubs have worked out an arrangement.
"In Russia, it's the wild west," Meehan said. "Cash passed hands. That's my guess."
Ovechkin, who is in Omsk training with the team, was recently quoted in the Russian sports daily Sport Express as saying that if an arbitrator had decided he could stay in Omsk, then he would stay in the Russian Super League, but if it was decided he had to return to Dynamo, "I would pack my stuff quickly and go to the NHL."
Ovechkin can make more money playing with Omsk next season than as a rookie in the NHL as the league has scaled back salaries and bonuses on entry-level deals in the new contract.
Omsk will pay Ovechkin $1.8-million (U.S.), and that's net, not gross, next season.
He had 13 goals and 13 assists and his plus-minus was plus-26 in 37 regular-season games for Dynamo this past season.
He has played in the past three world junior hockey championships for his country and also in the past two men's world championships.
- tinyurl.com/clcye
Top pick in last season's draft has until midnight to decide on where he will play
By DONNA SPENCER
Wednesday, July 20, 2005 Page S7
Canadian Press
It's decision time for Alexander Ovechkin, whom the Washington Capitals picked first overall in last year's National Hockey League entry draft.
The 19-year-old forward from Moscow has until midnight EDT tonight to decide where he'll play next season.
"He has until midnight before he has to make a decision on whether he stays in Russia or whether he'll go to Washington," Ovechkin's agent, Don Meehan, said yesterday. "We had a long family discussion. I've talked to the Capitals, with [GM] George McPhee on several occasions and I'm going to talk to the family [today]. No decision yet."
A Capitals spokesperson said the team had no comment about Ovechkin until the proposed collective agreement is ratified. That is expected to happen Friday.
Ovechkin recently signed a deal with Omsk that is reported to be one year in duration, but his contract includes an escape clause should he decide to sign with an NHL team before July 20.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound forward was caught in a dispute between Omsk and his former team, Moscow Dynamo, as to which club had his rights. The matter had been scheduled to go before an arbitrator in Russia this week.
But Meehan said the two clubs have worked out an arrangement.
"In Russia, it's the wild west," Meehan said. "Cash passed hands. That's my guess."
Ovechkin, who is in Omsk training with the team, was recently quoted in the Russian sports daily Sport Express as saying that if an arbitrator had decided he could stay in Omsk, then he would stay in the Russian Super League, but if it was decided he had to return to Dynamo, "I would pack my stuff quickly and go to the NHL."
Ovechkin can make more money playing with Omsk next season than as a rookie in the NHL as the league has scaled back salaries and bonuses on entry-level deals in the new contract.
Omsk will pay Ovechkin $1.8-million (U.S.), and that's net, not gross, next season.
He had 13 goals and 13 assists and his plus-minus was plus-26 in 37 regular-season games for Dynamo this past season.
He has played in the past three world junior hockey championships for his country and also in the past two men's world championships.
- tinyurl.com/clcye