Ottawa Senators Flashbacks: Analysing Alexei Yashin’s Legacy

Contract Disputes

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Here comes the dividing point for Ottawa Senators fans. Yashin refused to honour his 1995-96 contract at the start of the season. Due in part, to Daigle being granted the largest rookie contract in NHL history.

Many turned on Alexei and criticised him for his behaviour that was not up to the standards expected from hockey players. You can’t help but sympathise with Yashin, here he was, outscoring the number one draft pick, by a whopping 28 points. Yet still his team expected Daigle to claim the Calder. The anti-Russian sentiment towards players still being felt. As the inferior Canadian player was being touted over the Russian.

Comparing the two contracts, Daigle was on a five-year $12,250,000 deal. Whereas Yashin was offered a five-year $4,000,000 deal. Quite rightly a fuss was made from Yashin and his camp, how can a player who’s offensive output was so inferior, be earning triple the amount.

The statistics thoroughly paint a picture of the two careers. One goes north, and one south. You may feel that Yashin was wrong to dishonour his contract, but going by that, wouldn’t you do the same thing?