Islanders Made an Offer Fedorov Could Refuse

Unsigned Detroit Red Wing forward Sergei Fedorov rejected a free-agent offer sheet from the New York Islanders last weekend, but an Islander source told Newsday that the offer was far from a publicity stunt.

The offer would have provided Fedorov with more than $30 million for the five years beyond this one, but it left unresolved the amount he would have been paid for the rest of this season, an Islander source said. The source said the deal was back-loaded, and Fedorov is seeking a front-loaded contract.

Told of Islander General Manager Mike Milbury’s offer, an NHL source with an interest in the matter said, “I’m busting a gut laughing. I don’t blame Mike. He’s getting a headline. I’m happy for him. But the Red Wings want to keep Fedorov and will match any offer. So why put in an offer sheet? All [Milbury] would be doing is helping Fedorov and [agent] Mike Barnett and hurting [Detroit’s] salary structure.”

Barnett and Fedorov met with Milbury on Friday night and Saturday. An Islander source said incoming owner Steven Gluckstern telephoned Milbury to suggest the parties meet.

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New Jersey defenseman Ken Daneyko resumed practicing with the Devils after undergoing three months of treatment for alcohol abuse. He probably will return to the lineup for the team’s Feb. 25 game against Florida.

After voluntarily entering the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage in early November, Daneyko returned to New Jersey on Dec. 24 and began solo workouts. He last played Oct. 30 against the Vancouver Canucks.

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Edmonton Oiler left wing Bill Huard will be out indefinitely because of a broken right wrist suffered in Monday’s victory over the Kings.