Jul 11, 2002 3 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Alexei Kovalev is approaching his contract situation with the Pittsburgh Penguins like he would an opposing goaltender on a breakaway. He’s waiting for the other guy to make the first move. Kovalev, 29, is set to earn $4.6 million this season, after which he’ll become a restricted free agent eligible for arbitration.

After owner

enter Mario Lemieux and linemate Martin Straka were lost to injuries last season – and perhaps even before those injuries – Kovalev was clearly the team’s best player, so signing him could be a tall order once he becomes a free agent.

But Kovalev said the team hasn’t approached him about renegotiating this year’s deal as part of a long-term contract, although Lemieux, General Manager Craig Patrick – and most breathing hockey fans in Pittsburgh – have said it’s something the team must consider.

“They have to start it,” Kovalev said. “What happens is up to them. It’s not like I’m going to go up to them and say, ‘Hey, please make my contract longer.’ I already have a contract.”

“I really think that their first priority is a new arena, and their second priority is to do something with me,” Kovalev said. “That’s OK. I understand that.”

The city’s Sports & Exhibition Authority was supposed to present a financing plan for a new arena to the team June 30, but got a one-month extension.

The plan is expected to include some public money, but not as much as the Penguins might like for the $252 million facility they hope will replace Mellon Arena, which was built in 1961 and is the oldest arena in the National Hockey League.

Lemieux has said the team needs a new building, which would open no earlier than 2004, to compete financially in the NHL.

But a salary cap – a subject which could cause a work stoppage when the league’s contract with the player’s union expires after the 2003-2004 season – might be needed, too, if this year’s free-agent signings are any indication.

The Dallas Stars threw a five-year, $45 million contract at Bill Guerin, who had 41 goals and 25 assists in 78 games with the Boston Bruins last season. The New York Rangers got Bobby Holik, who had 25 goals and 29 assists in 81 games for the New Jersey Devils last season, to cross the Hudson River for terms similar to Guerin’s.

Kovalev said he hasn’t dwelt on the money he might make in free agency. But he should have a lot to think about: he had 32 goals and 44 assists while limited to just 67 games because of injuries last season.

“This organization and this city gave me the opportunity to be the kind of player I always wanted to be. This is where I want to play,” Kovalev said. “I’ve said that 1,000 times and I’ll keep saying it.”

Patrick said earlier this week he has no definite plan for pursuing Kovalev.

“We’ll have a dialogue with him and see where it goes,” he said.