Wednesday, May 14, 2003

By Ansar Khan

http://www.mlive.com/newspapers/



DETROIT -- Back in town after watching the world hockey championships
in Finland, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland hopes to
gradually chip away at a lengthy offseason to-do list.


He has made contract offers to four of his potential unrestricted
free agents -- Sergei Fedorov, Steve Yzerman, Darren McCarty and
Jason Woolley. He is evaluating who among the organization's top
European prospects is ready for the NHL. And he is exploring trade
options.

Fedorov and McCarty will more than likely field offers from other
teams on July 1. The Wings offered Fedorov a five-year, $50 million
deal during the season, but Holland wouldn't comment on speculation
that the latest offer is for less money and term. McCarty, who earned
$1.95 million last season, has been offered a three-year deal for $2
million a season, a team source said.

Yzerman will eventually sign a one-year deal to return for his 21st
NHL season, possibly his last. Woolley, who turns 34 in July, is
mulling the Wings' offer.

The club has not decided whether to offer 42-year-old center Igor
Larionov another one-year deal. That decision will likely depend on
other moves, including whether they re-sign Fedorov.

The Wings' top picks in the last three entry drafts were on display
at the world championships -- Swedish defenseman Niklas Kronwall,
Russian winger Igor Grigorenko and Czech center Jiri Hudler.

"I was happy with the way all three played," Holland said. "It was a
good tournament to evaluate them."

Grigorenko (second round, 62nd overall in 2001) has the talent to
step into the Wings' lineup as a rookie, much like Pavel Datsyuk and
Henrik Zetterberg have the last two seasons. Holland has spoken to
Grigorenko's agent and hopes to have him locked up by the July 15
deadline for signing European prospects.

"Grigorenko has accomplished quite a bit between the international
competitions and the Russian league," Holland said.

Hudler (second round, 58th overall), a small (5-9, 178) but skilled
player some scouts tabbed as the steal of the 2002 draft, isn't
expected to be signed until next summer.

Kronwall (first round, 29th overall in 2000) is a strong skater and
passer but is undersized (6-0, 170) and probably needs to play
another season in Sweden. He would have a difficult time cracking a
Detroit defense that includes Nicklas Lidstrom, Mathieu Dandenault,
Chris Chelios, Jiri Fischer, Mathieu Schneider, Dmitri Bykov and
Woolley, if he re-signs as expected.

"Defense, going into next season, is the strength of our team,"
Holland said.

It's not known whether Kronwall, if signed, would accept an
assignment to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids if he failed to make the
Wings' roster. He might prefer a deal enabling him to return to
Sweden for another season, something the Wings would probably oppose
if they've already paid him a signing bonus.