Agent Says Unsigned Devils Will Sit Out

Restricted free agents Jason Arnott and Scott Niedermayer of the New Jersey Devils rejected what they called the team’s final offers and won’t play until their demands are met, their agent, Don Meehan, said Thursday.

The players and General Manager Lou Lamoriello are millions apart in their negotiations, Meehan said.

Arnott, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in June, was seeking a two-year contract for as much as $8 million, while the Devils offered two years at $5.1 million, Meehan said. Niedermayer wants three years for as much as $15 million, while the team is offering three years at $10.8 million.

“I’m going to stay strong on my position,” Arnott said. “I don’t think what he’s doing is fair.”

Meehan said Lamoriello told him that he terminated negotiations and will reduce his offers for every day the players are unsigned.

Niedermayer was traveling and unavailable for comment.

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Defenseman Francois Bouchard broke a tie early in the third period and Djurgarden held off rival AIK, 5-3, to reach today’s final against the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL Challenge at Stockholm.

Bouchard, a 27-year-old Montreal native, beat American goalie Tim Thomas with a slap shot between the pads at 3:36.

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The Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Maxime Ouellet to a three-year contract, preventing him from re-entering next year’s NHL draft.

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New York Islander rookie goaltender Rick DiPietro pulled a groin muscle in practice this week and will be out 7-10 days, General Manager Mike Milbury said.