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Thursday, June 14, 2001
Gainey doesn't completely dismiss Hull return
Associated Press
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DALLAS -- The Dallas Stars will not exercise a $7 million
option for forward Brett Hull next season, a team official said
Wednesday.
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Stars general manager Bob Gainey said he notified the player and
agent Michael Barnett on Wednesday about the decision.
Also, the team did not exercise a $425,000 option on defenseman
Grant Ledyard while signing restricted free agent Sami Helenius to
a one-year contract.
Potential unrestricted free-agent forwards Mike Keane and Kirk
Muller were told that the Stars were interested in continuing
negotiations. The team told John MacLean, the third member of the
"Grumpy Old Men" line, and forward Ted Donato that they didn't
currently fit into plans.
Although Hull had indicated his willingness after three seasons
with the team to play for less and stay in Dallas, the Stars didn't
make any other offer.
"Brett is naturally disappointed," said Barnett. "With
disappointment is understanding that it's a business decision.
Brett bears no animosity. He must look at the free agency the team
is giving him as a business decision also. You can't wait until
August to wait to learn the Stars' ultimate intentions with him.
"On July 1, the sign will go up, 'Open for business.' I don't
expect Brett to make a hasty decision," he said. "I do know he
feels very strongly he can score 40 goals again and help a team get
closer to the Stanley Cup."
Gainey, who didn't dismiss a Hull return, said the team was
going to review the unrestricted free-agent market July 1.
"There's also the possibility that after the July 1 date, when
we will see which players are unrestricted and other teams will see
who's unrestricted, there's another possibility," he said. "The
Dallas hockey department realizes that (Hull) will be an
unrestricted free agent, able to discuss possibilities with other
teams."
Only Joe Sakic of Colorado scored more goals than Hull among
potential unrestricted free agents.
"Brett's play has fit into what we talked about and what the
team wanted to accomplish," said Gainey. "As an organization, we
found a place for him on a team marching toward a championship."
Hull has scored 95 goals in his three seasons with the Stars,
including one in triple overtime that gave the team the Stanley Cup
in Game 6 against Buffalo in 1999.
"Until you hear the door is closed, you must always assume that
down the road an opportunity could bring the two parties back
together," Barnett said.
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