Fleury departs with no contract Hawks GM keeps forward waiting

Free-agent forward Theo Fleury left Chicago on Tuesday morning butwithout a contract offer from the Blackhawks, according to generalmanager Mike Smith.

Theo was in town and I talked with him,'' Smith said. You neverknow about the money, but I talked to Don Baizley [Fleury's agent]before our meeting and I told him I would get in touch with him a dayor two after Theo left Chicago.''

Fleury made $6.2million last season with the New York Rangers,scoring 24 goals and adding 39 assists in 82 games. But the teamdecided not to pick up an option year for this season which wouldhave paid the 5-6, 180-pound right wing $7 million.

The Rangers were unhappy with the way Fleury's temper disruptedthe team. Fleury's frequent on-ice outbursts led to 216 penaltyminutes--a league-high for forwards--and his off-ice attitude late inthe season also led to disunity in the dressing room. In late June,the Rangers traded Fleury, 34, to the San Jose Sharks, and that teamwill receive a compensatory draft pick from the team which signsFleury.

Fleury's anger issues last season followed a stay in a substance-abuse rehabilitation clinic which wiped out a third of his 2000-01season with the Rangers.

The Hawks may believe that the presence of coach Brian Sutter, whowas Calgary's coach for two of Fleury's 11 seasons with the Flames(1997-99), may be enough to keep Fleury's discipline problems to aminimum.

There is no question that Fleury's offensive abilities would helpthe Hawks, a team which suffered a sustained scoring drought throughthe last quarter of the season and into the playoffs. The Hawks wereeliminated from postseason play in the first round when they lost abest-of-seven series against the St. Louis Blues in five games.

The Hawks lost even more offense last month when former captainTony Amonte signed a free-agent contract with the Phoenix Coyotes, ateam which was reportedly also interested in Fleury before coming toterms with Amonte.

Baizley said he had no comment Tuesday.

As it stands now, the market may be limited for Fleury, given hispast problems and asking price, which is expected to be at least $5million a year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be the only other team to make a bidfor Fleury.