Havlat may Czech out
Winger will play in homeland if deal can't be reached with Sens

By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun

Martin Havlat isn't going to wait for an offer from the Senators to start playing this season.

With training just three weeks away, the Senators winger already has plans to suit up for a team in the Czech Republic if he doesn't get a deal completed with Ottawa.

While he would have an out clause in his contract with the Znjomo Hockey Club if he reaches a deal with the Senators, Havlat has a contingency plan in place because he wants to remain in shape for the NHL season.

Sources say Havlat, a restricted Group II free agent, didn't respond to the club's first offer -- which was believed to be a two-year, $1.9-million (all terms US) deal.

WON'T REPORT TO CAMP

Havlat confirmed he will not report to training camp, which begins Sept. 13 at the Corel Centre, without a deal in place. In the past, some NHL players have taken out insurance policies and come to camp without contracts.

"We haven't had any talks lately, but I want to be on the ice in training camp. I love playing in Ottawa and hopefully we can get it done because I want to be there," Havlat said from his home in the Czech Republic yesterday.

After making $675,000 last season, it's believed Havlat is seeking a hefty raise. However, his Los Angeles-based agent, Alan Walsh, has denied media speculation that Havlat is demanding $4 million a year from the Senators.

Walsh said that in the discussions he's had with Senators director of legal affairs Peter Chiarelli, no specific numbers have been mentioned. It's believed Ottawa would like to pay Havlat between $1.3-$1.5 million this season.

"I'm still positive that we're going to get something done in time for Martin Havlat to be in camp," said Walsh. "We were disappointed with the first offer, but we're hopeful that we can get a deal completed."

Havlat has been keeping himself busy preparing for camp in the last couple of weeks, but he doesn't have any plans to come to North America until his contract is settled.

He resumed skating with Znjomo last week and he's been on the ice this week with an all-star team formed by Washington winger Jaromir Jagr. Havlat has been working out with the likes of Milan Hejduk, Patrik Elias and Senators winger Vaclav Varada.

Havlat isn't the only Group II free agent in this situation with camp approaching. Edmonton's Mike Comrie, Tampa Bay's Brad Richards and Minnesota's Marian Gaborik and Pascal Dupuis all remain without contracts.

WANTS TO BE IN OTTAWA

"If I miss the beginning of camp, then I'll probably skate with a team here (Znjomo)," said Havlat. "They start their season the same day as training camp starts in Ottawa and that would allow me to play a few games.

"But I want to be in Ottawa. We've got a great team and we went a long way last year. We want to make the next step and, hopefully, we can get (the contract) done so I can be there."

2002 - Jaromír Jágr (Hasek, Havlat, Bonk, Kaberle, Cajanek, Briza, Dopita, Kubina, Cechmanek)

2003 - Milan Hejduk (Havlat, Elias, Malek, Sykora, Jagr, Straka, Cechmanek, Kral, Kaberle)