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Friday, June 30, 2000
Messier pockets $2 million US from Canucks
VANCOUVER -- With an extra $2 million US in his bank account, Mark Messier becomes a free agent Saturday, with most reports indicating he's headed to New York where he will be reunited with his old Oiler coach and general manager Glen Sather.
The Vancouver Canucks opted to pay the 39-year-old Messier, a $2-million buyout for the final two years of his five-year contract instead of being on the hook for $6 million a season.
Officially the Canucks still hold out the faint hope of convincing their captain to return to Vancouver at a reduced salary.
"I discussed with Mark what our level of interest is," Canuck GM Brian Burke said Friday.
"He told me he intended to look around."
Speculation is Messier wants to return to New York, where fans still cherish the memory of him leading the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup. Burke wouldn't comment if the Rangers have the best change of putting Messier's act back on Broadway.
"Why are you asking me that? Call Slats," he said.
"I have no idea how this will shake down. There's a lot of speculation the Rangers will step up. I can't control that."
Doug Messier, Mark's father and agent, refused to say where his son might play this season.
"We're sitting tight until July 1 gets here," the elder Messier said from his South Carolina home.
"There's nothing new to report right now."
Messier had 17 goals and 37 assists in 66 games with the Canucks this year. Despite missing 15 games with a knee injury, he was named to the North American all-star team.
During his 21-year career he's scored 627 goals and 1,087 assists for 1,714 points, leaving him fourth on the NHL's all-time points list. But even with Messier's leadership, the Canucks failed to advance to the playoffs, and missed the post-season for a fourth consecutive season this year.
Burke wasn't sure how much interest Messier will draw on the open market.
"He's going to be 40 years old but still played effectively for us last year," Burke said.
"His leadership qualities are well-known."
Not paying Messier's salary will help reduce the Canucks' payroll, which was as high as $35 million US last year. Vancouver also dealt Alexander Mogilny and his $5-million US salary to the New Jersey Devils at the trading deadline.
Other Canucks becoming free agents are goaltender Garth Snow and centre Harry York.
Vancouver made qualifying offers and will hold contract talks this summer with restricted free agent goaltenders Felix Potvin and Corey Schwab, left-winger Donald Brashear, centre Brendan Morrison and defenceman Brent Sopel.
Of this group, re-signing Potvin will be Burke's top priority.
Potvin went 1-5-3 after arriving in Vancouver in a Dec. 19 trade from the New York Islanders but then went 12-9-4 after the all-star break. He earned $2.7-million US last year.
"I was pleased with Felix's play," said Burke. "I don't anticipate any problems signing him."
Brashear, one of the NHL's most feared fighters, had a career-high 11 goals last year before missing 20 games with a concussion from a Marty McSorley slash to the head. He'll be looking for a raise from his $750,000 US salary last year.
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