SAN JOSE
– The San Jose Sharks announced Monday that right wing Teemu
Selanne has declined his player option for the 2003-04 season.
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks announced Monday that right wing Teemu Selanne has declined his player option for the 2003-04 season.
“Teemu Selanne will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and we respect his decision,” said Sharks President and CEO Greg Jamison. “Knowing in advance that this scenario was a possibility, we have explored contingency plans and are moving forward as a franchise. With the assets we hold in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, as well as the significant salary this move frees up, we feel we have a number of quality options to explore and we plan on doing so.”
Selanne still cannot talk to other NHL teams until July 1, at which point he can talk to the 29 other NHL clubs as well as the Sharks. Selanne’s option was worth $6.5 million. The money available might make another free agent or two pick up a reality.
