There hasn't been any new NEWS about Alex until this week. Here's an article regarding his career *or lack of* in the NHL. It looks like Alex might not be playing in the NHL next season.
Tuesday, June 27, 2000
Daigle's NHL act near end?
Rangers' cut might mean end of onetime superstar prospect's career
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
Alexandre Daigle could soon have plenty of time to pursue his acting career because his stay in the NHL might be over.
Sources told the Sun last night the Senators' No. 1 selection in the 1993 NHL entry draft has been informed by the New York Rangers that they won't be making an offer to renew his contract for next year.
That means the 25-year-old Daigle, who received a five-year, $12.25- million deal when he was selected by the Senators from the QMJHL's Victoriaville Tigres, will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.
It's not known if any teams will be interested in Daigle. The Edmonton Oilers made a pitch to get him last year, but it's doubtful they would be now. The Montreal Canadiens are a possibility because Daigle's still a hero in Quebec.
Still, it's not known if Daigle even wants to play in the league. He makes his off-season home in the Los Angeles area and it's believed he's taking acting lessons.
"I don't know if anybody is going to make him an offer," said an NHL executive last night. "You've got to think there's somebody out there who is going to take a chance on him, but I don't know who that will be.
"The guy has just never lived up to his potential. He refuses to use his biggest asset, which is his speed. I just don't think anybody in the league is going to want a guy who really isn't interested in playing hockey."
Daigle, who was traded to the Rangers by the Tampa Bay Lightning last year, took a pay cut from $1 million US to $600,000 so New York would take a chance on him.
He had mild success with the Rangers' farm team, the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack.
But Daigle could never get the job done with the Rangers.
He was benched on several occasions by former coach John Muckler and finished the season with only eight goals and 18 assists in 58 games.
COMMITMENT QUESTIONED
"He just didn't have the kind of year he needed to have if he was going to stay with the Rangers," said the executive. "There's still plenty of question about his commitment to the game.
"I know the guy wants to pursue an acting career, but he's a pretty bad actor on the ice. It's hard to hide that. He's got good speed, but he lacks the skills necessary to be a superstar. It's a tough fall to watch."
After being taken by the Senators, Daigle failed to live up to the expectations heaped upon him by the organization. Viewed as a superstar because of his success in Victoriaville, he was never able to get the job done in the NHL.
Drafted ahead of the likes of St. Louis Blues defenceman Chris Pronger and Anaheim's Paul Kariya, Daigle will be best known his draft-day comment: "Nobody remembers No. 2."
Well, Pronger, who just picked up the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP, is looking like a pretty good choice at the moment.
Daigle was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers by the Senators on Jan. 28, 1998. But the Flyers gave up on Daigle after he showed up out of shape for training camp that September and his commitment was brought into question by GM Bob Clarke.
