Dr.Sens(e)
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(AP) Calgary: Reggie Swingstein, the high profile super agent for youngster Jason Williams, has broken off contract negotiations regarding the young forward before they seemingly even started with the Calgary Flames.
"We will not be listening to any more offers from Calgary until free agency arrives", stated Swingstein.
The Flames submitted a number of offers to Swingstein’s clients, mostly pending restricted free agents, and the offer to Williams was deemed insulting enough that Swingstein no longer wants to deal with Calgary when it comes to the young winger.
“We’ll let Jason focus on hockey for the remainder of the year, and his contract will get taken care of in the summerâ€.
“And you can be sure he’ll make a hell of a lot more money next year than what they offered. It’s up to Calgary to decide whether they will be paying Williams or another teamâ€
Williams is having a break out year averaging close to a point per game, and it is believed the Flames proposed long-term deal was barely above the league minimum.
“Let this be a message to all General Managers out there – you can’t simply pay the elite young player peanuts any moreâ€, boomed Swingstein in an ad hoc press gathering in the bar of the Calgary Airport.
“This is a kid who has given everything to make the NHL and has now proven he is an impact player. If they won’t pay him what he’s worth, well I’m sure there a few GM’s out East who will.â€
The Flames were pilfered during free agency last year, ultimately losing restricted free agents Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey, and Roberto Luongo to the Ottawa Senators, as the team was without the funds to match the lucrative signing bonuses offered by General Managers Rich Epstein and Keith Fernandes, respectively.
Asked if this was the beginning of a new negotiating ploy on behalf of his agency, Swingstein quickly defended the stance as his only recourse.
“If other General Managers try the same bottom-of-the-barrel first offer tactic, I’ll do the same thing to protect my clients interests. We simply can’t consider such a low market value for impact playersâ€
There was no immediate response from the Flames front office, although it is expected they will address the media on this issue at some point.
"We will not be listening to any more offers from Calgary until free agency arrives", stated Swingstein.
The Flames submitted a number of offers to Swingstein’s clients, mostly pending restricted free agents, and the offer to Williams was deemed insulting enough that Swingstein no longer wants to deal with Calgary when it comes to the young winger.
“We’ll let Jason focus on hockey for the remainder of the year, and his contract will get taken care of in the summerâ€.
“And you can be sure he’ll make a hell of a lot more money next year than what they offered. It’s up to Calgary to decide whether they will be paying Williams or another teamâ€
Williams is having a break out year averaging close to a point per game, and it is believed the Flames proposed long-term deal was barely above the league minimum.
“Let this be a message to all General Managers out there – you can’t simply pay the elite young player peanuts any moreâ€, boomed Swingstein in an ad hoc press gathering in the bar of the Calgary Airport.
“This is a kid who has given everything to make the NHL and has now proven he is an impact player. If they won’t pay him what he’s worth, well I’m sure there a few GM’s out East who will.â€
The Flames were pilfered during free agency last year, ultimately losing restricted free agents Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey, and Roberto Luongo to the Ottawa Senators, as the team was without the funds to match the lucrative signing bonuses offered by General Managers Rich Epstein and Keith Fernandes, respectively.
Asked if this was the beginning of a new negotiating ploy on behalf of his agency, Swingstein quickly defended the stance as his only recourse.
“If other General Managers try the same bottom-of-the-barrel first offer tactic, I’ll do the same thing to protect my clients interests. We simply can’t consider such a low market value for impact playersâ€
There was no immediate response from the Flames front office, although it is expected they will address the media on this issue at some point.