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Lehtinen signs discount deal Forward takes pay cut to remain a Star

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Updated Jul 1, 2009 10:30 PM ET
     
 
Jere Lehtinen took the hometown discount. On the eve of free agency, with a chance to shop himself to any team in the NHL, Lehtinen agreed to a one-year deal with the Stars for a base salary of $1.5 million and incentives that could add $1 million more. That's a significant decrease from the $4.1 million he made last season. "He obviously loves it here, and he's a great fit for the organization," said Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. "We're excited about him coming back." Lehtinen, 36, has battled injuries and played just 48 games last season, but he is one of the Stars' few right-handed forwards and he has shown great chemistry playing on a line with Mike Ribeiro. "I've been watching a lot of games from last year, and I have coached against him a lot, and I know what a difference he makes," said new coach Marc Crawford. "He's smart, he's hard-working and he really complements his linemates. He's a great asset for any team." Lehtinen is in Finland and was not available for comment. Nieuwendyk has also been in negotiations with defenseman Sergei Zubov but was not able to come to a deal. Zubov will test the market starting today. Nieuwendyk said he was still open to signing the veteran defenseman. Modano invited to Olympic orientation camp: Stars center Mike Modano is among a handful of veterans who are invited to USA Hockey's Olympic rientation Camp in Woodridge, Ill., Aug. 17-19. Modano, 39, has played for Team USA on 11 occasions and is hoping to be a part of the U.S. team at the Olympics in Vancouver in February 2010. "It's a big goal to play in Vancouver, so I'm excited to get the chance," he said. "But I know this is just the first step, and they'll be making their choices based on how we play during the regular season." Thirty-four players were invited to the camp, but Team USA will pick from of a group of 50 to get a roster of 23 players.
Tagged: Joe Nieuwendyk, Sergei Zubov, Jere Lehtinen, Stars, Mike Modano

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