OTHL NEWS AGENCY -- The OTHL started with a lot of trading, then we saw the draft and the conditioning camp in Finland. Now teams have started to tie up there top names and there
high priced players to new deals. There have also been some top names, agreeing on taking a pay cut in order to help there current team to get closer or stay under the upcoming $50 million dollar salary cap.
One of the big stars agreeing on a new deal. A deal that will pay him less annual salary, but give him a nice signing bonus, was the Dallas Stars Mike Modano. Modano who has been part of the Dallas Stars organization since they where the Minnesota North Stars, took the pay cut for the love of the team. A pay cut that will save the Stars around $2.5 million dollars per year.
I have been part of this franchise for so long, and I love the fans and the team. So when the Stars came to me, and said 'Hey Mike, we would like you to take a pay cut. Of course, if you don't want to. We will find other ways to save salary.' But I like the direction this team is going, and with our new gm Felix Morrison, I feel we have a management ready to go for it all. So I said, 'of course I will help'." - Mike Modano said.
Another veteran signing a lesser contract, was the Hawks captain and soul Chris Chelios. Chelios 42, almost shed $3 million dollars off his contract. But instead he will get a nice sum up front in form of a signing bonus. Plus a no-trade clause in his contract, along with a verbal agreement that become part of the organization once he decides to retire.
"Had it been any other team then Chicago. I would have said no. It might sound harsh and greedy not accepting a pay cut. But at the same time, this is my job and when I signed my deal I never forced anyone to give me that kind of money. But when the Hawks traded for me, and GM Vaigur came to me and said, that he would like to get a new deal signed to keep the team payroll light. And maybe open up some space in the budget to get other players in. I said yes. I know that I will also be part of this team once my career on the ice is over. So in the end, it was a easy decision to do."
A more surprising player to accept a lover salary figure, where new Hab Zigmund Palffy (32). Palffy a top name in the league, and one of the best players around. Decided to shed 1 million of his old team. In order to get a new 4 year deal, including a no-trade clause. In Palffy's case, the main lure behind the pay cut where the no-trade clause.
"When you have been traded, you don't want it to happened again. Its a tough experience, and it takes time to settle in with the new team and in a new town. So I told Montreal that I would be prepared to give up some money, if I could get a no-trade clause. I wanted a deal that would keep me with the same team for a number of years. I also like the direction of this team. The Canadiens have a rich history, and by the looks of it Mr Pagnotta is looking to return the team to the glory days. I like the team we have here, and I think we can become a top team in the OTHL.
But not everyone has given up salary in there new contracts. Sergei Gonchar a recent member of the Bruins, and a highly sought after defender. Almost doubled his salary. Going from $3.650 millions a year to $5.716 millions a year.
The offensive minded defender was set to become a prime UFA target for many teams after the 2004-05 season. And could have reached much higher amounts of he had tested the market. But Gonchar decided to stay another 3 years in Boston, and give the team a true top name on defense.
"We realized that Sergei Gonchar was going to be a top name this next off-season. But the Bruins showed that they where prepared to keep him here. We are very happy with the outcome of our talks. And I think the Bruins feel the same. They get one of the best defenders in the league, for another 3 years for a contract that is fairly low for a player of his caliber." - Sergei Gonchar's agent said to OTHL News.
And in New York, another Sergei re-uped with his current team. And got a nice pay raise at the same time. Sergei Samsonov who was traded to the Islanders just days ago, decided to sign on for 3 years in New York. Giving him a bump in salary from $3.65 to $4.25 a year.