Playoffs Are Foremost in Wilson's Mind

By ROBYN NORWOOD

April 8, 1997 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

ANAHEIM — Ron Wilson likes to say he wants to coach the Mighty Ducks for the next 20 years, perhaps become the Don Shula of the NHL.

But Wilson hardly needs a dictionary to look up the word “leverage,” and he’s in no hurry now to sign a new contract.

With the Ducks on their way to the playoffs, General Manager Jack Ferreira called Wilson’s agent Monday to talk extension.

That conversation appears to be on hold.

“I’m not going to do anything about my contract until everything’s over,” said Wilson, whose one-year extension expires after the season. “It’s a distraction, one way or another.”

The Ducks have made Wilson an offer but didn’t agree on salary. Figure Wilson wants at least a three-year deal closer to the $500,000 a year Terry Crisp makes in Tampa Bay than the $350,000 Wilson is making this season.

“Sometimes you have to understand this is a business as well,” Wilson said. “If this wasn’t strictly business, I’d have a contract by now.”

There are basically two dangers for the Ducks.

One is simply that re-signing Wilson will cost more than it would have a month ago.

The other is that the Ducks could risk losing Wilson if they allow him to become a free agent. As long as he’s under contract, other teams have to receive the Ducks’ permission to talk to him. Once it expires, he’s fair game.

Wilson caught the eyes of the hockey world when he guided the U.S. to the World Cup title last fall. More than anything, that assured his first head coaching job wouldn’t be his last.

There’s Pittsburgh, where General Manager Craig Patrick temporarily took over after firing Eddie Johnston. There’s Detroit, where Scotty Bowman might not be back if the Red Wings fold in the playoffs again. And Vancouver, where Tom Renney is the latest coach who hasn’t gotten the results the organization wants.

Wilson calls the rumor mill “flattering,” but that’s about it.

“Because they mention my name on TV doesn’t mean I want to go to Pittsburgh or Detroit or Vancouver or wherever,” he said. “I want to stay here.

“Why would you just want to move around? We’ve got a team with good young players. Why move just to make more money somewhere else? That’s not what it’s about. I’m loyal. I like the team we have.

“We have a couple of the best young players in the game. Probably they could could challenge for the scoring title every year the next five years. This is a team on the rise. Why would I want to leave when we have a chance to win the Stanley Cup?”

Ferreira said he is “well aware of all the ramifications” of not signing Wilson before the playoffs but declined to comment because he is also wary of the situation becoming a “distraction.”

“Ron’s been under the gun for two years, or almost every year since he’s been here,” goalie Guy Hebert said. “Last year, every day he thought he might be getting fired. He made it through last year and came back with a one-year extension.

“A lot of times, you’re only as good as your players. I think finally we have the right group of players. I’d certainly like to see him back. I know him; he knows me. For me, it would be a terrible mistake to see him go.

“I think Ron at this point is sitting pretty. He can only help himself if the team continues to do well.”

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Heading Down to the Wire

Here’s a look at the playoff race in the Western Conference. Colorado, Dallas, Detroit, the Ducks, Phoenix and Edmonton have clinched six of the eight playoff spots.

4. Phoenix

Record: 37-36-6

Points: 81

Games to play: Wednesday at Vancouver; Friday at Edmonton

5. Ducks

Record: 34-33-13

Points: 81

Games to play: Wednesday vs. Kings; Friday at San Jose

6. Edmonton

Record: 36-35-8

Points: 80

Games to play: Wednesday vs. Detroit; Friday vs. Phoenix; Saturday at Vancouver