Training camp is set to begin next week and, barring an extension in short order, Eric Gelinas won't be reporting.
Through a couple months of negotiations the Devils and Gelinas haven't been able to reach an agreement on a contract extension, and he's not prepared to show up to camp without a new deal.
Gelinas, 23, posted 29 points in 60 games as a rookie, and was the most efficient power play defenseman in hockey.
You would think he's looking for a decent payday, though his demands seem quite reasonable. Gelinas' camp is reportedly not asking for much more than the one-year, $660K deal Lou Lamoriello has tabled, according to Tom Gulitti.
Via FireandIce: “It’s a concern to a certain point, I think, for Lou too,… Lupien said. “It’s a concern for both sides and that’s the way it is. I think Gelinas is not a bad hockey player. He had 29 points there. That is not bad. And most of the players that signed contracts, not too many had 29 points, but some had 15 and 20 and signed at $1.5 (million) and $1.8 (million) and $2 million and they were in the same situation as Gelinas.…Lupien said “we’re not even asking (for) that… (with reference to the $1.5 million to $2 million range he mentioned), but wouldn’t get into the specific numbers being discussed. He seems to be waiting for Lamoriello to make the next move.
So, unless I'm way out in left field it seems the gap in negotiations is only a few hundred thousand.
Gilles Lupien and Lamoriello haven't had the best of relationships dating back to the ugly Martin Brodeur negotiation in the 90s, so that could be why Lamoriello is less willing to cave.
Lupien openly discussing negotiations is not something that will sit well with Lamoriello, either, especially after some of the other comments he made.
Via FireandIce: “It’s always money,… Lupien said. “It’s always money and (Lamoriello) loves to play with the power. That’s what everybody knows.…
Again, I don't think Lamoriello will be too pleased with this information being leaked, especially when Lupien took a bit of a shot at him to top it off. Lamoriello has long been known for keeping everything private and tight to the vest, and things - whether it be trades, extensions, etc. - fall through at times once the media gets wind of it.
With Damon Severson ready to push for a spot as well as Tomas Kaberle and Renat Mamashev set to be at camp on a tryout basis, it seems the Devils have been preparing to be without Gelinas.
Whether that's just a short-term bandaid in case of a holdout or it eventually leads to him being shipped out of town remains to be seen, but I think this has the potential to turn ugly.
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