TSN.ca Staff
9/9/2003
Anaheim general manager Bryan Murray says they have reached an impasse in contract talks with goalteder Jean-Sebastien Giguere, meaning last spring's playoff hero likely won't be in camp when it opens later this week.
Giguere, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP, is reportedly seeking a significant increase from the $900,000 he made last season. The Ducks are believed to have offered a deal worth $4-million a season while Giguere is said to be seeking $7-million, which would make him one of the highest paid netminders in the NHL.
"The way the numbers are now, I'm not optimistic," Murray tells the Orange County Register. "We all have great respect for Jiggy, but you have to do what's right for the organization and what's right for the player."
Complicating matters is the fact goaltender Marty Turco has yet to sign a new deal with the Dallas Stars. Turco is said to be asking for $4.5-million a season while the Stars have countered with an offer worth just over $3-million.
Last year, league MVP Jose Theodore signed a five year, $26.5-million deal with the Montreal Canadiens while San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov agreed to a two-year deal worth $7.15-million following a one month holdout.
If Giguere elects to holdout, the Ducks say they are prepared to go with last year's backup Martin Gerber and highly regarded prospect Ilja Bryzgalov.
Murray says talks with forward Petr Sykora are progressing and the two sides are close to a deal. He made $3.535-million last season after leading the team in scoring with 34 goals.
9/9/2003
Anaheim general manager Bryan Murray says they have reached an impasse in contract talks with goalteder Jean-Sebastien Giguere, meaning last spring's playoff hero likely won't be in camp when it opens later this week.
Giguere, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP, is reportedly seeking a significant increase from the $900,000 he made last season. The Ducks are believed to have offered a deal worth $4-million a season while Giguere is said to be seeking $7-million, which would make him one of the highest paid netminders in the NHL.
"The way the numbers are now, I'm not optimistic," Murray tells the Orange County Register. "We all have great respect for Jiggy, but you have to do what's right for the organization and what's right for the player."
Complicating matters is the fact goaltender Marty Turco has yet to sign a new deal with the Dallas Stars. Turco is said to be asking for $4.5-million a season while the Stars have countered with an offer worth just over $3-million.
Last year, league MVP Jose Theodore signed a five year, $26.5-million deal with the Montreal Canadiens while San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov agreed to a two-year deal worth $7.15-million following a one month holdout.
If Giguere elects to holdout, the Ducks say they are prepared to go with last year's backup Martin Gerber and highly regarded prospect Ilja Bryzgalov.
Murray says talks with forward Petr Sykora are progressing and the two sides are close to a deal. He made $3.535-million last season after leading the team in scoring with 34 goals.
