Hockey phenom Sidney Crosby is in contract talks with Swiss club Lugano, The Canadian Press has learned.
With the NHL set to unveil a new collective bargaining agreement with tough new limits on entry-level contracts, a source said Wednesday that Crosby has been offered a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $10 million US including a multimillion-dollar signing bonus by the Swiss club.
Crosby's agent Pat Brisson of IMG admitted negotiations were taking place. But he would not confirm any financial details.
"I can't deny that we've been in serious talks with Lugano," Brisson said Wednesday from Los Angeles. "It's a serious offer. We're keeping in mind that Sidney's goal is to play in the National Hockey League but we have to listen.
"Not knowing what the entry-level restrictions will be in the upcoming CBA, we need to cover our bases," Brisson added.
The next collective bargaining agreement is believed to cap entry-level salaries to a maximum of $850,000 a season over three years, the same amount it was 10 years ago. Hard-to-reach bonuses could be worth as much as $3 million but they won't be gimmes like the previous deal.
Should Crosby sign the deal before even being drafted by an NHL team, Brisson said there would be some kind of out clause that would allow him to return to North America if he chose to.
"We would want some sort of mechanism which would allow him to come back if he wanted, but it could come at a price" Brisson said.
Other clubs in Europe, notably in Russia, were also believed to have interest but Lugano is the only team in talks with Brisson and Crosby at this point.
Brisson would not comment asked when and if Crosby would sign with the Swiss club.
Goalie David Aebischer of the Colorado Avalanche, forwards Jason Blake of the New York Islanders, Martin Gelinas of the Calgary Flames, Alex Tanguay of the Avalanche and defenceman Kimmo Timonen of the Nashville Predators all played for Lugano last season during the NHL lockout.
Either way, the money continues to pour in for the talented youngster. Gatorade became the second major company this year to hitch its wagon to the rising star by signing the native of Cole Harbour, N.S., to a three-year endorsement deal that was announced by the company Tuesday.
Crosby, 17, signed with Reebok in March in what was reported to be a $2.5-million US, five-year endorsement deal for equipment and apparel.
While the Gatorade deal is not believed to be as lucrative per year as the Reebok contract, it is still reportedly the richest deal a hockey player has signed with the sports drink company.
Crosby, a Canadian Hockey League MVP the past two seasons while playing for the Rimouski Oceanic, is considered far and away the No. 1 prospect for the 2005 NHL draft. The draft will likely be held in early August.