Madferret
7-08-05, 12:42 PM
Ottawa could host July 30 NHL draft
By Bruce Garrioch
Top-rated prospect Sidney Crosby could take his walk down the NHL draft aisle July 30 in Ottawa. Better late than never. Sidney Crosby could finally get his chance to walk down the aisle in Ottawa later this month.
The NHL may hold a scaled-down version of the entry draft on July 30 at the Corel Centre ? with all 30 teams getting a shot at the prized Rimouski Oceanic centre.
?We believe the draft should be held in Ottawa. That?s where it was supposed to be and it would only seem right,? said Crosby?s agent, Pat Brisson of IMG Hockey. ?But that?s a decision the NHL is going to have to make. I think they?re going to hold a draft because this is an opportunity to (capitalize) on some positive news about the league with the excitement surrounding this draft.?
There was speculation the draft could be held either Aug. 6 or 13, but the Corel Centre isn?t available on either of those days. Sources say the league doesn?t really have any interest in holding a midweek event.The draft was originally scheduled here for June 25-26.
Sources say Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli both made it clear to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that the city would be ready to host the event on short notice.
Brisson said a lucrative offer for Crosby to play for Lugano in the Swiss Elite League for $10 million over three years hasn?t been turned down.
?I owe it to my client to listen. This is a very serious offer,? said Brisson. ?Right now, we don?t have an NHL agreement and we don?t even have an announcement. Until something is official, I think we have to keep the options open for Sidney Crosby.?
By Bruce Garrioch
Top-rated prospect Sidney Crosby could take his walk down the NHL draft aisle July 30 in Ottawa. Better late than never. Sidney Crosby could finally get his chance to walk down the aisle in Ottawa later this month.
The NHL may hold a scaled-down version of the entry draft on July 30 at the Corel Centre ? with all 30 teams getting a shot at the prized Rimouski Oceanic centre.
?We believe the draft should be held in Ottawa. That?s where it was supposed to be and it would only seem right,? said Crosby?s agent, Pat Brisson of IMG Hockey. ?But that?s a decision the NHL is going to have to make. I think they?re going to hold a draft because this is an opportunity to (capitalize) on some positive news about the league with the excitement surrounding this draft.?
There was speculation the draft could be held either Aug. 6 or 13, but the Corel Centre isn?t available on either of those days. Sources say the league doesn?t really have any interest in holding a midweek event.The draft was originally scheduled here for June 25-26.
Sources say Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli both made it clear to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that the city would be ready to host the event on short notice.
Brisson said a lucrative offer for Crosby to play for Lugano in the Swiss Elite League for $10 million over three years hasn?t been turned down.
?I owe it to my client to listen. This is a very serious offer,? said Brisson. ?Right now, we don?t have an NHL agreement and we don?t even have an announcement. Until something is official, I think we have to keep the options open for Sidney Crosby.?