IRVING, Texas -- Defenseman Derian Hatcher will become an unrestricted free agent next week because the Dallas Stars aren't willing to offer their longtime captain a five-year contract extension.

	Hatcher

General manager Doug Armstrong said Monday that the Stars won't offer Hatcher a new contract before July 1, when the team's exclusive period of negotiation ends. After that, Hatcher -- the Stars captain for nine seasons -- can go to the highest bidder.

"The main sticking point is the term of the contract ... we never got past the five years,'' Armstrong said. "If the contract length changes from Derian's perspective, we've kept the door open and been upfront that we want him to be a Dallas Star.''

But Armstrong said there won't be any more contract discussions with Hatcher and his agent, Patrick Morris, before July 1.

Hatcher is likely to demand an annual salary of at least $7 million. Armstrong wouldn't discuss potential dollar amounts, but said the talks with Hatcher never got to money because of the defenseman's demand for a five-year contract.

Morris didn't return phone messages Monday night.

Armstrong said he offered Hatcher a five-year extension before free agency began last season. When a deal couldn't be worked out then, the Stars moved forward and attained free agents Bill Guerin, Scott Young and Philippe Boucher.

With the NHL's collective bargaining agreement set to expire after next season, and uncertainty about what will happen after then, Armstrong said the Stars will avoid any long-term deals until those issues are settled.

Hatcher has played 827 regular-season games and 100 playoff games in his 12-year career, all with the Stars. That includes 23 postseason games in 1999, when the Stars won their only Stanley Cup.

Last season, Hatcher had 30 points (eight goals and 22 assists). He was a finalist for the Norris Trophy given to the NHL's best defenseman.

"He had a phenomenal season and he played himself into a position where he'll be a very attractive free agent,'' Armstrong said.

Armstrong said he is torn by the situation, in one way hoping the best for Hatcher in the free agent market and also hoping there is a way he will be back in a Stars uniform with a shorter-term contract.

"I consider him a close friend and a great player, and I hope he gets everything he's dreamed of getting in the free agent market,'' he said. "On the other hand, I hope the market isn't quite what he thinks and he comes back and we are able to work out a deal with him. I understand the value of Derian Hatcher.''

Hatcher set career highs with 159 shots and a plus-37 rating last season, helping the Stars to the most points in the Western Conference.

Even if Hatcher leaves, Armstrong believes that the Stars will be a favorite for the Stanley Cup next season. They would have Boucher, Sergei Zubov, Darryl Sydor and Richard Matvichuk as the core group of defenseman.

Matvichuk, who has been with the Stars for 11 years, is a restricted free agent. Armstrong said the team will be offering him a new deal in the next couple of weeks.