Our good friend Dmitry Chesnokov of Sovetsky Sport (your Russian needs to be pretty polished to read it) was able to reach Alexander Ovechkin by telephone today and get his reaction to Sidney Crosby’s new contract with the Penguins. Here’s what he told Dmitry:
“What can I say? Good for Crosby! It is easier for any player to come out and play when he knows that his future is secure. I think Pittsburgh wasted no time offering Crosby the deal because of what Edmonton did trying to sign a restricted free agent. Any Canadian team (and not only Canadian) could have offered great terms to Crosby in the future. And who knows if the Penguins could have matched it. But now Sindey is staying in Pittsburgh, and will stay there beyond 2013, in my opinion.”
When asked about his contract, Ovechkin said:
“I will negotiate with the Capitals myself. To be precise, I will wait for their offer. If I like it, I will sign the contract. If I don’t, then I will get myself an agent (I don’t have one right now) to represent me in talks with the Capitals.”
3 Comments
Ovie is playing this one really smart. Crosby signed, the bar has been set. If the Caps make an offer like the crosby deal, he knows its the safe thing and he doesn’t pay for an agent. If they low ball him, he gets an agent and takes the Caps to the cleaners.
I think GMGM will make a good offer that will make Ovie happy.
GMGM needs to offer a 5 year 40 million extension and get it over with…why waste any time?
I think you offer the same amount per year as Crosby for 8-9 years. If Briere can get an 8 year deal from Philly, surely Ovie is as valuable to the Caps. Show him he’s just as valuable as Crosby is to Pittsburgh, but for a longer term.
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