The Blackhawks signed rookie Sergei Krivakrasov to a $1.1 million, four-year contract Thursday, including a $200,000 signing bonus. Their first-round pick last June, the 12th overall in the National Hockey League draft, the 18-year-old will report to training camp Friday.
His arrival injects a welcome bit of drama into what had seemed to be a strong and unshakeable lineup of veteran forwards who were going to beat back all challenges from young prospects this preseason. Some say Krivakrasov, who played with Red Army last season, has the ability to help the Hawks immediately as a left or right winger.
He had held out from camp until now seeking a contract that would pay him the same money this season whether he was sent to the minors or won a job with the Hawks. And while the Hawks announced he would earn $50,000 in Indianapolis this season opposed to $175,000 if he made the Hawks, that version was disputed by Krivakrasov`s agent, Ron Salcer.
”He is going to receive $375,000 this season no matter what,” Salcer said. ”That`s a $200,000 signing bonus and $175,000 salary. But they wanted to word it differently. That`s fine. I know he`s going to get his $375,000 whether he goes to the minors or not.”
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In the last three years of the contract, Salcer said, Krivakrasov would earn just $50,000 if demoted to Indy. His NHL salary in these seasons would be $200,000, $250,000 and $275,000.
Signing soon: Dirk Graham appears on the verge of agreeing to a one-year contract that will prevent his having to play out his option this season and become a free agent next year. The agreement would be a one-and-one, the second year an option.
The Hawks` captain reduced his demand from $700,000 to $650,000 and hoped to have senior vice president Bob Pulford agree it was sufficient movement to complete a deal. Pulford has been offering $600,000, an increase from the $350,000 the winger made last season.
Graham`s agent, Bob Murray, has argued Graham is in the same class as Montreal`s Guy Carbonneau, who earns in excess of $800,000 a year. But the Hawks believe Graham`s age (33) and medical history make him less attractive. ”I played in the scrimmage Thursday morning to show management that I wanted to make a deal with them,” said Graham.