Dynamo wants $2 million for Ovechkin

 TSN.ca Staff

7/7/2004

If signing their first overall draft pick wasn't enough work, the Washington Capitals might have to deal with another big challenge to lock up highly-touted prospect Alexander Ovechkin.

His club Moscow Dynamo told Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sport Wednesday that the Capitals will have to pay at least $2 million in transfer fees if the team wants Ovechkin in uniform for the upcoming season.

"Under the old deal, we would have got only $200,000 for such a great player like Ovechkin," said Dynamo president Anatoly Kharchyuk.

"Such a sum is clearly inadequate. We think he is worth at least $2 million."

Ovechkin - taken first overall in last month's NHL Entry Draft - has a year left on his contract with Dynamo.

The NHL's collective transfer deal with European clubs is up for renewal, and Dynamo has said it would demand cash payment from any NHL club that wanted him next season. The Russian federation has demanded that its clubs be allowed to deal directly with NHL teams, which could push up the cost of signing its players.

ichiro cost over 3 mil just to negotiate with and there were no garauntees he would sign. After that the Mariners still had to structure a deal. He went on to win rookie of the year and MVP. Worked out ok. 2 Mil. - hopefully a bargain at twice the price even.

There are couple issues that the article doesn't mention. First, I believe individual teams can't negotiate with foreign teams directly. It has to go through the league. So even if the Caps wanted to pay it, they may not be able to.

Second. What happens when Ovechkin's contract runs out after this year? This is the one point I wish someone in the hockey media would address. If he is not under contract next year, is he free to come over with no compensaiton to the Russian team? Is so, let him play in Russia, then bring him over next year.

Agree with Frex. He can miss the 2004-2005 season... if there's one.

BUT... like I said a few weeks ago, $2M and even more would probably be the difference in matter of attendance between a season with Ovechkin and a season without him. FJC had calculated that it was not irrational, although I guess we would need to be sure that more than half of the season will be played.

I believe Ovechkin won't need too much time to get used to the North American hockey, so he can play another season in Russia, no problem. Especially if some of the best NHLers play there next season.

It would be fair to pay them for their work but Ovechkin's natural talent was certainly the main reason of his high rating. They should be more reasonable.