Zdeno Chara wants to stay

[Madferret]

Chara still hopeful he'll land new deal
By Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun

The Senators defenceman said yesterday he doesn't want to leave Ottawa, but isn't sure if he'll have a new contract in place before he's eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Senators GM John Muckler has said he will try to keep Chara and teammate Wade Redden from testing the open market, but the two sides aren't allowed to sign a new deal until after Jan. 1.

"I want to stay in Ottawa, but nothing is going to happen right now.," said Chara yesterday. "I would think it would have to happen sometime during the season, but you never know. That's not something that's up to me. I'm going to leave that up to my agent (Matt Keator)."

ALFIE LIKES TED: Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said he was happy NHL Players' Association executive director Ted Saskin has asked for a secret ballot to review his position. "This was Ted's idea," said Alfredsson. "He had the support on the (Aug. 31) conference call, but he wanted to make sure that everybody was okay with him being the executive director. Hopefully, we'll be able to put this all behind us." Saskin has been surrounded by controversy after several players -- led by retired Los Angeles winger Trent Klatt -- complained the NHLPA's constitution wasn't followed by union president Trevor Linden when Saskin was hired to replace Bob Goodenow.

HAVLAT UNDER WEATHER: Senators LW Martin Havlat didn't take his medical yesterday because he's battling the flu. "I've been on antibiotics. I feel like I haven't skated all summer," said Havlat.

[charlio lemieux]

Senators GM John Muckler has said he will try to keep Chara and teammate Wade Redden from testing the open market, but the two sides aren't allowed to sign a new deal until after Jan. 1.

I hope the Sens have 8-10 million in cap room, because it will cost atleast that to keep both.

[grim]

I hope the Sens have 8-10 million in cap room, because it will cost atleast that to keep both.

I think the Hossa/Heatley switcheroo was Step 1.

[Madferret]

Sens, agent talk contract ... but time is not right
By BRUCE GARRIOCH
Ottawa Sun

THE SENATORS and defenceman Zdeno Chara have already cleared one major hurdle in negotiations on a new contract: He wants to stay and they want to keep him. Now, all they have to work out are the details.

Informal talks between Chara's Boston-based agent Matt Keator and Senators assistant GM Peter Chiarelli took place Monday at the Corel Centre and the two sides have agreed to keep talking.

Getting Chara, 28, and defenceman Wade Redden -- who could both become unrestricted free agents July 1 -- under contract is a priority for GM John Muckler, but right now it's not No. 1 on the list.

GET READY FOR SEASON

"The focus is on getting ready for the season and being prepared to have a strong season," said Chara. "We agreed that eventually it's going to be something that we're going to talk about. But, right now, is not the time. All we're thinking about at the moment is the season.

""It was a good meeting. They agreed they want to keep me and they know that I want to stay here. "Hopefully, we're able to get something worked out." Even with free agency looming, neither player is likely to be dealt by the Senators.

NORRIS TROPHY RUNNER-UP

If Chara has the kind of season that made him a runner-up for the Norris Trophy to Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer (then with New Jersey) in 2003-04, he could be one of the most valuable free agents on the market.

Making $3.724 million (all figures US) this year, there is speculation a team -- such as the New York Rangers -- might be willing to throw the league maximum of $7.8 million at Chara to get him under contract. "Some of it is going to depend on how (Chara) adapts to the new rules, but if he has another Norris Trophy-type season ,then there are going to be teams that will go after him with big money," said a league source.

Brought to the Senators in the one-sided deal that sent Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders (who also sent Ottawa the draft pick that turned into Jason Spezza) in July, 2001, Chara would like to stay in Ottawa. "I really love being in Ottawa," he said. "I've had a lot of success here and I like being part of this team.

"This organization has been great to me and I'd really like to be able to re-sign here. We both agree that I want to be here and they want to keep me as part of the team. We'll see how it goes. At some point, we might be able to get something done."

http://ottawasun.ca/Sports/Hockey/2005/09/21/chara65.jpg

Source (http://ottawasun.ca/Sports/Hockey/2005/09/21/1228180-sun.html)