EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers complained to the
NHL on Tuesday that they had an agreement with free agent center
Michael Nylander before he signed with the Washington Capitals.
Nylander
The Oilers said in a statement Nylander had reached an agreement
with them Sunday, only to then sign a $19.5-million, four-year
contract with the Capitals the next day.
The Oilers say they held off going after other potential free
agents because they thought they had Nylander. The 34-year-old
Swede was one of the top catches on the free-agent market, setting
career highs in goals (26), assists (57) and points (83) with the
New York Rangers last season.
"On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers general manager,
and Mr. Mike Gillis, certified agent for Michael Nylander,
negotiated and agreed to a multiyear NHL Standard Players Contract,
starting in 2007-08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in
writing," the Oilers statement said.
"However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned signed
agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered
through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr.
Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with
the Capitals," the statement said.
A lawyer for the Oilers could not provide contract details on
the Edmonton deal.
The NHL did not have an immediate response and call to Capitals
general manager George McPhee was also not returned.