The Detroit News reports that the Wings still have a long ways to go to sign Pavel Datsyuk. Moscow Dynamo needs to hear a commitment from Datsyuk by September 1 when all European contracts must be registered. Apparently, he has been working out with the Dynamo team and scored a goal in Finland while at a tournament. Datsyuk’s agent, Gary Greenstin, has told Dynamo that Datsyuk would rather play for the Wings, but if a deal can’t be reached he will return for a second year in Moscow. “A beautiful, highlight goal from what people told me,” Greenstin said.
In a nutshell, a decision should be made within a week regarding Datsyuk’s future. For the future of the Detroit Red Wings, I sure hope Holland can work something out.
“It’s up to Ken Holland (Wings general manager) and myself to work on this and come to some sort of an agreement,” Greenstin said. “It’s a slow process. We’re going to continue to work. As we’ve said, Pavel’s first priority is to remain with the Wings.”
Besides Datsyuk, Holland still has to sign Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg, and one other player (probably a defenseman). The Wings have $7 million left to sign those players.
Delmore grew up idolizing Yzerman
The Detroit News ran an article regarding Andy Delmore’s excitement to play for the Wings. Last week, the defeseman signed a contract for one year worth $450,000 (the league’s minimum). Even if Delmore doesn’t make the Wings roster, he’s excited for the opportunity to be just a phone call away. He grew up in Windsor cheering for the Red Wings.
“Let’s face it, a lot of players don’t get an opportunity for their hometown team,” Delmore said. “The chance to come back home, and play for the Wings, it really is exciting. Definitely a guy like Steve Yzerman, for everything he’s accomplished in his career, the way he carries himself on and off the ice,” Delmore said. “Then guys like Bob Probert (another Windsor native) and Joe Kocur. There were so many good memories and moments. But I was always a Wings fan, not the (Toronto Maple) Leafs.”
Holland believes Delmore could give the Wings depth especially with some of the new rule changes. “He’s got skill, and he gives us depth,” general manager Ken Holland said. “He’s a guy who could help us.”
Over the lockout, Delmore played for Adler Mannheim (a Germany team) alongside the Sabres’ Jochen Hochet and the Flames’ Rene Corbet. In his 50 games, he scored seven goals and had 16 assists.
“No doubt, it was a little different,” he said of having games twice a week, on weekends. It really was like a college (hockey) schedule. We’d play on Friday and Sunday, have Monday off, and practiced the rest of the week. The atmosphere and intensity was real good because you’d only (have) those two games, and the crowds were really into it. It was good hockey, as good as any of the other leagues (in Europe). Our team made it into the finals, and there were quite a few NHL players (in Germany). It was a good experience.”
Since the Wings want a minimum of seven defensemen and money is tight, Jason Woolley will probably be playing another year with the Wings. “They’re giving me an opportunity,” Woolley said.
Legace’s golf charity event next Monday
Next Monday at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, Manny Legace will be holding a charity golf event with proceeds going towards breast cancer research. Legace’s mom along with a close family friend have fought breast cancer. “This (the golf outing) is something that I’ve wanted to do for some time,” Legace said, “and everything has worked out.” The Wings that are scheduled to attend include Chris Osgood, Jason Williams, Kirk Maltby, and Darryl Bootland. Legace is encouraging fants to attend for autograph opportunities. Donations will be accepted.
I hope to attend the event since it’s about 5-10 minutes from my house. I’ll call the golf club tomorrow to see when the event starts. If I am able to attend, I plan on getting some autographs and taking pictures to be posted here. If you can attend, come support the fight against breast cancer along with watching our beloved Wings players golf! Hope to see you there!
Something about that whole Datsyuk thing smells. How well can Greenstein represent Pavel when they aren’t even on the same continent, let alone in the same time zone? There’s what, an 8 hour difference between the Eastern US and Moscow. I would really like to know how much of this difficulty has been caused by Greenstein and how much has been caused by Pavel. Remember, Greenstein gets a share of whatever Pavel gets and Pavel may be his most high profile player. I have not heard his name a lot in the past.
The Detroit News article did mention that he would be traveling to Moscow pretty soon to talk with Datsyuk.
From the article: “I expect we’re going to need to decide something next week,” Greenstin said. He also said he expects to travel to Moscow this week to discuss options with Datsyuk.”
The wings are going to kill any of there competion this year so i dont know why the fu$k anybody is worried.
How well can Greenstein represent Pavel when they aren’t even on the same continent, let alone in the same time zone? There’s what, an 8 hour difference between the Eastern US and Moscow. I would really like to know how much of this difficulty has been caused by Greenstein and how much has been caused by Pavel.
Well, they’ve been negotiating with Ken Holland for over a year now, so I don’t buy that excuse. Though Ken Holland has said he’s been playing phone-tag with Greenstin, and Holland’s the one who took a week trying to coordinate when to meet with Yzerman when they’re 15 minutes apart. Still, I think it’s because they’re really far apart in negotiations and not just failing to communicate.
By the way, Greenstin is headquarted in CA (whether or not he’s there now, I don’t know):
Gary Greenstin
Galex Enterprises Inc.
24126 Juanero Drive
Mission Viejo, California
92691
United States
I just find it hard to believe that Pavel went from being this shy, quiet guy to suddenly becoming a player making big demands. If Greenstein’s doing the day-to-day work of negotiating with Holland without the benefit of seeing Pavel face-to-face, he can’t be representing his client’s wishes as well as he might.
The fact that he has to fly to Moscow to discuss options indicates he hasn’t been keeping Pavel up to date anyway.
The fact that he has to fly to Moscow to discuss options indicates he hasn’t been keeping Pavel up to date anyway.
The fact that Pavel is practicing with Dynamo a week before the September 1 deadline indicates a lot too.
I don’t think Pavel is as innocent or in-the-dark as we think. Just because he doesn’t speak English well doesn’t mean he’s a push-over. I guess we’re just seeing this side of him for the first time now.
Greenstein has been leading Pavel down the wrong path so far. I think also, Pavel has placed to much faith in this guy. Greenstein, as far as I can tell, in primarliy only concerned with his own take which is why he has been pushing for money in the 4M ballpark. Pavel hasn’t, to me, proven he’s worth that yet? Soon he will be, but not yet. Additinally, his market value is not there yet either. Greenstein is a Bag O Deez!!
If he’s based in California, there’s an even bigger discrepency in time and it makes it all the more difficult for him to really be representing his clients wishes.
Maybe Pavel really has become greedy but I don’t think Greenstein is exactly a moderating influence.
Pavel’s skating with the team as he should be. I’d rather have him be active than not. He probably thinks he’s going to end up there anyway, given how things have been going on this end because of his agent. The Wings should fly them both out to Detroit and talk face-to-face. There’s no reason to spare expenses in this case.
Pavel’s skating with the team as he should be. I’d rather have him be active than not.He probably thinks he’s going to end up there anyway, given how things have been going on this end because of his agent.
It’s more than a conditioning stint: there’s a significant offer on the table and he’s gearing up for a season with Dynamo. So it’s not about him being active than not like you said but where it’s happening and the circumstances of why it’s happening. I find no comfort in Pavel being active when all signs point to him staying in Russia anyways.
If he’s based in California, there’s an even bigger discrepency in time and it makes it all the more difficult for him to really be representing his clients wishes.
My point is that Holland is complaining about having a hard time getting in contact with Greenstin, ie phone-tag. A 3-hour difference should be no problem for Holland.
As for Pavel, if we’re over a year into negotiations and just now bringing up the issue of time zone differences for him and his agent, that’s just completely ridiculous. Ever heard of email? If Pavs hasn’t conveyed his wishes yet or has let Greenstin run wild, then Pavel is a complete idiot. I tend to think he’s not. I trust the guy knows what he’s doing when he’s practicing with Dynamo with an offer on the table and it’s a week before the Sept 1 deadline.
The Wings should fly them both out to Detroit and talk face-to-face. There’s no reason to spare expenses in this case.
Exactly, I was thinking the same thing. That’s maybe $4000 in roundtrip airline costs but well worth it. Along these lines, I wouldn’t be surprised if Greenstin has visited Pavel in Russia a few times. That’s a pretty routine thing for agents to do.
Oh, and it’s Greenstin, not “Greenstein,” if the NHLPA is to be trusted (I’ve seen it spelled minus the “e” in the DetNews, TSN, Freep as well):
http://www.nhlpa.com/Agents/Agent.asp?AgentId=8658
Gary’s office phone number is on there too
Why do people continue to demonize players and their agents? This salary cap everyone is applauding means that players like Datsyuk will get bids from other leagues that are as good or better than what they can get from NHL teams.
Wouldn’t you want to maximize your earnings? Or do you demand to be paid like people in China or Mexico are being paid, so things are fair for everyone?
The Red Wings risk a very quick slide into mediocrity or worse if they don’t sign at least their RFAs, but maybe they don’t care any more. Maybe the windfall of money they make because of the salary cap is enough for them now.
Isn’t that the new American way? …to screw the long term in favor of the short?
Ken Holland has demonstrated exactly what since the ratification of the new CBA? Why, on Earth, do you have any faith in him?
With Datsyuk it comes down to this- if you were offered comparable or better wages to play close to home, tax-free, where would you play? That the NHL is the “world’s best league” doesn’t carry any weight any longer.
The emperor is naked. Get used to it.
I think that it’s looking more and more like Datsyuk will play for Dynamo. He’s practicing with the team and playing in a tourney with the team. He’d be close to home (and apparently Moscow is becoming a much nicer place to live). He would make more money. And as much as I want the Wings to sign Datsyuk, if they can’t make an agreement after a year of negotiations and he can get that much money tax-free, I don’t necessarily blame him.
I’m getting more concerned about Holland signing Datsyuk and Zetterberg, especially with all the talk in the papers and on AM 1270. Whatever it takes, Holland should be able to get both players signed with the $7 million left. If it’s not enough, he’ll have to look at trades or structure the contracts like Hossa’s, with the salary increasing in later years. Not sure if there’s any averaging, though.
I agree that Datsyuk doesn’t seem like the type to make these bold demands either. The Greenstein-Datsyuk situation sounds a lot like Michael Peca-Don Meehan back in his days in Buffalo. Sometimes it looks like agents turn nice guys into greedy, anti-compromising players.
I agree with anoymous when he says the nhl is no longer the best hockey league. If they have a limited amount of money they can pay all-star players, where is the incentive? If i were foreign i wouldn’t think twice about staying in my home country after the new CBA was put in place.