Senators Suspend Star Yashin

October 31, 1999 / 3:32 PM EST / CBS/AP

The Ottawa Senators suspended Alexei Yashin for the season and threatened their captain Tuesday with financial penalties if the team loses money because of his absence.

Ottawa general manager Marshall Johnston, reiterating that the Senators will not trade the Russian center, also said the club believes Yashin still owes them a year's service.

With both parties adamant they won't budge on their contract stance, the suspension seems to add little to the mix unless Yashin unexpectedly caves in.

But the threat of financial penalties and the issue of whether Yashin owes the team another year could be critical to the league and the NHL Players Association. Neither wanted to comment Tuesday.

A call to Yashin's agent, Mark Gandler, was not immediately returned.

The dispute comes at a critical point in the franchise's history, as majority owner Rod Bryden lobbies for tax breaks he says the team needs to survive.

Yashin was due to make $3.6 million this season, the last in a five-year $13.5 million contract.

Yashin has stayed away from the team because he wants to renegotiate and bring his contract in line with the salaries of top stars. His agent suggested an extension that called for $11 million and $12 million the next two years.

News of the suspension drew mixed reactions from Senators players, most of whom have had no contact with Yashin during the proceedings.

"It's not for me to support or not to support," said Kevin Dineen. "I don't think it's the club's decision. I think it's Alexei's decision not to play."

"I'm like everybody else, pretty surprised it came to a head. I'm disappointed I'm not going to get a chance to play with him. It's one of the reasons I came to the Senators."

The club hasn't missed a beat without Yashin, jumping out to a 10-4-1-1 record.

"A lot of people have seen how we can play throughout the first 15 games of the season," said rookie Mike Fisher, who has taken Yashin's place in the lineup. "We're not too concerned about it right now."

"A lot of it's up to the agent. I don't necessarily agree with what (Yashin's) doing at all. Both sides are taken, there's not much we can do as players right now."

Yashin, who set franchise records with 44 goals and 94 points last season, is in Switzerland practicing with the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss Ice Hockey League.

"Alexei has been suspended for the balance of this season, including the playoffs," said Johnston, who read from a prepared statement at a news conference. "We are disappointed that Alexei has chosen not to perform under his contract."

"Moreover, while we recognize the probable alue that could be gained by the club entertaining trade offers for Alexei's contract, we believe the best interest of our club and fans would not be served by consummating such a trade."

The Senators are prepared to challenge Yashin for not honoring his contract.

"It is our view, supported by the National Hockey League, that under the terms of his standard player's contract, and the collective bargaining agreement, as well as under accepted principles of contract law, Alexei is obligated to deliver to our club one more full season of play under the terms and conditions of his contract," Johnston said.

"We therefore look forward to Alexei playing for the Senators for the 2000-2001 season, or in a subsequent year under the terms of his current contract."