Daigle told he's staying
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
Monday, January 12, 1998
PHOENIX -- As far as Alexandre Daigle is concerned, he's not going anywhere.
The Senators winger, troubled by speculation he was going to be dealt, confirmed yesterday he met with GM Pierre Gauthier Saturday in Denver and in the brief session Daigle was given assurances he wouldn't be dealt.
"(Gauthier) told me (all the talk) was just rumors," said Daigle, prior to last night's game here against the Phoenix Coyotes, "and he told me I wasn't going to be traded. It wasn't a very long meeting."
Gauthier wasn't quite as firm as Daigle: "It was a 30-second conversation. He asked what's going on? I told him there's nothing going on, those are just rumors."
However, sources say Gauthier has, in fact, tried to trade Daigle ... but the Senators have found several teams unwilling to pick up the contract which pays him $2.6 million this season and $2.7 million next year.
The Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning have all expressed an interest in Daigle. But none of them wants to pick up the remainder of the contract.
While Flames GM Al Coates told the Sun last week it was "common knowledge" Daigle was available, Gauthier has decided to keep a closed mouth through all the talk.
Instead, he walks up to reporters daily and asks what the new rumors are so he can keep abreast of the situation. He claims to have quit reading newspaper clippings several months ago but, curiously, always knows what's been printed.
The Senators have talked to the Flames about a deal involving centre Andrew Cassels and defenceman Zarley Zalapski. However, Coates is only lukewarm to taking a chance on Daigle.
The Panthers have also made overtures. GM Brian Murray likes the idea of playing Daigle on a line with gritty winger Scott Mellanby. Talk has been Florida would be willing to offer prospects Steve Washburn and David Nemirovsky.
"Teams aren't throwing money around anymore," said an NHL player personnel director. "Alexandre Daigle is still a prospect but a lot of people look at him as a high risk because he's underachieved in the past.
"What is a GM like Neil Smith going to tell reporters in New York if he trades (disgruntled winger) Alexei Kovalev for Alexandre Daigle and he doesn't produce. The heat would be on Smith for making that kind of deal."
If the Senators are going to keep Daigle, then he must start living up to his hefty contract. Seven goals and seven assists in 36 games going into last night doesn't cut it.
The patience with Daigle is wearing thin. Coach Jacques Martin made him a healthy scratch at the start of this trip in Carolina. Daigle performed better against Dallas but slipped against Colorado. His future is still in doubt if you listen closely to Gauthier.
"I can't say I won't trade anybody because who knows what calls I'm going to get tomorrow?" said Gauthier.
"You don't trade a guy just because he's not playing well. You make a trade when you feel like you can improve the hockey club.
"You don't trade a player just for the sake of trading a player. That's not the way to work.
"What we have to realize with guys like Alexandre Daigle is that he doesn't have to be a star to be a valuable part of our team. He just has to show the commitment to work hard and to compete."
It seems like Daigle is safe for now but he should avoid making any major real estate purchases in Ottawa for the time being.
