Yashin

Playing hardball with the holdout Russian star, Ottawa suspended Yashin for the season Tuesday and threatened him with financial penalties if the club loses money because of his absence.

Ottawa general manager Marshall Johnston also reiterated that the Senators will not trade the Russian center, and said the club believes Yashin still owes them a season's service.

The threat of financial penalties and the issue of whether Yashin owes the team another season could be critical to the league and the NHL Players Association.

"The league supports the Ottawa club," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday in New York, saying the issue of financial penalties "is up to the club in the first instance."

The NHL Players Association said it would have more to say on the subject once Yashin's agent, Mark Gandler, returned from Europe. A call to Gandler was not returned.

"Alexei has been suspended for the balance of this season, including the playoffs," said Johnston, who read from a prepared statement during a news conference. "We are disappointed that Alexei has chosen not to perform under his contract.

"Moreover, while we recognize the probable value that could be gained by the club entertaining trade offers for Alexei's contract, we believe the best interest of our club and fans would not be served by consummating such a trade.

"It is our view, supported by the National Hockey League, that under the terms of his standard player's contract, and the collective bargaining agreement, as well as under accepted principles of contract law, Alexei is obligated to deliver to our club one more full season of play under the terms and conditions of his contract.

"We therefore look forward to Alexei playing for the Senators for the 2000-2001 season, or in a subsequent year under the terms of his current contract."

The messy affair has been the talk of the hockey community.

"The Senators got to make a business decision that's best not only for their hockey team, but in the best interest of the fans," Gretzky said. "I don't have all the answers or what's right or wrong, or whose fault it is. But the reality is that it seems Alexei's not happy and obviously the Senators aren't happy with him."

The dispute comes at a critical point in the franchise's history, as majority owner Rod Bryden lobbies for tax breaks he says the team needs to survive.

Yashin was due to make $3.6 million this season, the last in a five-year $13.5 million contract.

Yashin has stayed away from the team because he wants to renegotiate and bring his contract in line with the salaries of top stars. His agent suggested an extension that called for $11 million and $12 million the next two years.

Yashin, who set franchise records with 44 goals and 94 points last season, is in Switzerland practicing with the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss Ice Hockey League.

News of the suspension drew mixed reactions from Senators players, most of whom have had no contact with Yashin during the proceedings.

"It's not for me to support or not to support," Kevin Dineen said. "I don't think it's the club's decision. I think it's Alexei's decision not to play.

"I'm like everybody else, pretty surprised it came to a head. I'm disappointed I'm not going to get a chance to play with him. It's one of the reasons I came to the Senators."