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IRVING, Texas -- Defenseman Derian Hatcher will become an unrestricted free agent next week because the Dallas Stars aren't willing to offer their longtime captain a five-year contract extension.
General manager Doug Armstrong said Monday that the Stars won't offer Hatcher a new contract before July 1, when the team's exclusive period of negotiation ends. After that, Hatcher -- the Stars captain for nine seasons -- can go to the highest bidder.
"The main sticking point is the term of the contract ... we never got past the five years,'' Armstrong said. "If the contract length changes from Derian's perspective, we've kept the door open and been upfront that we want him to be a Dallas Star.''
But Armstrong said there won't be any more contract discussions with Hatcher and his agent, Patrick Morris, before July 1.
Hatcher is likely to demand an annual salary of at least $7 million. Armstrong wouldn't discuss potential dollar amounts, but said the talks with Hatcher never got to money because of the defenseman's demand for a five-year contract.
Morris didn't return phone messages Monday night.
General manager Doug Armstrong said Monday that the Stars won't offer Hatcher a new contract before July 1, when the team's exclusive period of negotiation ends. After that, Hatcher -- the Stars captain for nine seasons -- can go to the highest bidder.
"The main sticking point is the term of the contract ... we never got past the five years,'' Armstrong said. "If the contract length changes from Derian's perspective, we've kept the door open and been upfront that we want him to be a Dallas Star.''
But Armstrong said there won't be any more contract discussions with Hatcher and his agent, Patrick Morris, before July 1.
Hatcher is likely to demand an annual salary of at least $7 million. Armstrong wouldn't discuss potential dollar amounts, but said the talks with Hatcher never got to money because of the defenseman's demand for a five-year contract.
Morris didn't return phone messages Monday night.
