Talks stall, Legwand likely not at camp opener

By JOHN GLENNON
Staff Writer


It appears the Predators will be without last year's leading points
producer when the team begins training camp tomorrow.

Center David Legwand remains unsigned, with his agent, Pat Morris,
yesterday describing talks between the two sides as ''stalled.''

Predators veterans are scheduled to report for physicals tomorrow and
will hit the Centennial Sportsplex ice for their first practice on
Friday.

''We had some more discussions (on Monday), but it was more just
discussions as opposed to any movement forward,'' Morris said. ''As
it stands now, it appears he won't be there (tomorrow).''

The 23 year-old Legwand led the Predators with 48 points in 64 games
last season, posting career highs in goals (17) and assists (31).

The Predators made Legwand a qualifying offer in June, one that would
have given him a 10 percent raise and a salary of about $1.2 million
this season. Morris said the team has not improved upon that original
offer for a one-year deal.

It's believed Legwand is looking for a salary somewhere between $1.5
million and $2 million for the coming season.

The two sides have also discussed multi-year deals, but have been
unable to reach common ground.

''If the Predators want to have a full team together, I think there
has to be some acknowledgement of flexibility on Nashville's part,''
Morris said. ''I'm sure that they're saying the same thing about
flexibility on our part.''

Predators general manager David Poile was unavailable for comment
yesterday.

Legwand had originally planned to come to Nashville last week to take
part in informal workouts with his teammates. But Morris said that
when negotiations stalled, he told Legwand to remain home in Detroit,
where he's skating and working out with his former junior team in
Plymouth, Mich.

Morris said he hadn't closed the door on the possibility of Legwand
playing in Europe this season, but said he was focusing on trying to
secure a new deal with the Predators.

''We'll analyze that when the time comes and see whether it's viable
or not,'' Morris said. ''But right now our full concentration is on
trying to reach a deal with Nashville, so that's only speculation.''

Should Legwand fail to appear tomorrow, he'd become the fourth
veteran in Predators history to fail to report to training camp on
time.

Defenseman Drake Berehowsky missed a bit of the team's second
training camp, goalie Mike Dunham missed most of the second training
camp and defenseman Kimmo Timonen missed most of the third training
camp. All three were eventually signed before the regular season.

''It's a very tough situation,'' Timonen said. ''You work out hard
all summer, waiting for something to happen and nothing happens.
Training camp comes closer and closer and you don't have a deal.

''You kind of get nervous, but it's a business side and you have to
think about that side of it. I'm sure they will get something done
before we start.''

Predators Coach Barry Trotz said recently that the team will do some
line shuffling if Legwand doesn't arrive for camp, with the
possibility of players like Rem Murray, Scottie Upshall, Greg
Classen, Vern Fiddler, Ben Simon and Wyatt Smith seeing time at the
center position.

Injuries to Legwand and leading goal-scorer Andreas Johansson were
two of the main reasons for the Predators' tailspin late last year.

With Legwand missing the last 18 games and Johansson playing in just
four of the final 18, the Preds were 1-10-4-3 in that stretch.

Nashville went 0-10-3-2 to finish the season, scoring just 18 goals
in the last 15 contests.

''He was best player last year or close to the best,'' Timonen
said. ''So we need him, that's for sure. Hopefully things will work
out.''