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Sunday, October 10, 1999
Sens' thumbs down to Broadway act
While Rangers' GM Neil Smith has quietly made it clear to Yashin and his agent Mark Gandler in the past that New York would be interested, the word around the league is the Senators aren't willing to listen.
With Yashin, 25, skating in Switzerland and waiting for a new contract, the Senators would rather wait out their AWOL captain to see if he gives up the fight and decides to come back to collect his $3.6-million US salary.
It's believed the Rangers are willing to offer a package which would include Manny Malhotra, Todd Harvey and top prospect Pavel Brendl of the Calgary Hitmen, in order to pry Yashin away from the Senators.
'DEALING FROM STRENGTH'
"I just don't think Ottawa is willing to do anything right now," said an NHL executive yesterday. "The way I see it, they don't want to move the guy. They're willing to wait the guy out to see what happens.
"The Senators are dealing from a position of strength right now. They've started off the season strong and they're saving the salary they were supposed to pay. They don't have to do anything at the moment."
READY TO SPEND
Desperate to make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup, the Rangers already have a $58-million US payroll this season, but they're willing to spend whatever it takes to win the championship.
Smith would have no problem opening up the wallets at Madison Square Garden to hand a long-term deal to Yashin worth $8-10 million US, if the Senators become a willing dance partner.
"Sooner or later Ottawa is going to have to make a decision," said the executive. "But they don't have to do it right now. This isn't a deal they're going to have to rush into because there's simply no need."
If Yashin does become available, the Rangers won't be alone.
The New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings are also willing to get involved in a bidding war because they too can afford the pricetag.
At the moment, the Senators hold all the cards in this high-stakes game and they're not willing to deal.
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