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.

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.

http://www.nhlpa.com/Agents/Agent.asp?AgentId=8658

Gary’s office phone number is on there too

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.

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.

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.

The fact that he has to fly to Moscow to discuss options indicates he hasn’t been keeping Pavel up to date anyway.