Ducks’ Tverdovsky on the Power Pay

Mighty Duck defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky elevated himself into the elite category last season, with a career-high 15 goals. His payday should come sometime this summer.

Tverdovsky, 24, was one of six restricted free agents given qualifying offers by the Ducks Friday, a starting point for negotiations.

Teams must make a qualifying offer--a one-year contract at the previous season’s salary--before today to prevent players from becoming unrestricted free agents. A player is a restricted free agent until he is 31.

Along with Tverdovsky, the Ducks made offers to centers Antti Aalto, Matt Cullen and Jorgen Jonsson and left wings Mike Leclerc and Marty McInnis.

The Tverdovsky negotiations could take some time, as he will receive a significant raise from the $1.7 million he earned in 1999-2000.

“We’ve always been able to make deals sooner or later,” Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “I’m sure we’ll have lengthy discussions. In the end, it all gets resolved. Both parties have to be happy with the deal. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as it gets done by training camp.”

Gauthier said he talked briefly with Don Meehan, Tverdovsky’s agent, at the draft, but serious talks won’t begin until this month.

Tverdovsky scored 51 points, ninth-most among NHL defensemen last season. Colorado defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, who is 28, scored 52 points and made $4 million last season.

“Oleg is a very important member of their team,” Meehan said. “He is very happy there and we are anxious to make sure he stays in Anaheim.”

The Ducks hold options on three players for next season, defensemen Pascal Trepanier and Niclas Havelid and right wing Ladislav Kohn.

Left wing Stu Grimson, center Kip Miller, defenseman Kevin Haller and left wing Ted Donato are the Ducks’ unrestricted free agents; they are now free to negotiate with other teams.

As for the Ducks’ prospects for signing free agents, Gauthier said he will shop around to see what the market has to offer, but was not optimistic.

“We’ll look at free agents to see if we can fill any holes,” Gauthier said. “It is not a banner year. There are no saviors out there. That doesn’t mean we can’t fill a need and improve our club.”