ST. LOUIS -- This time it's true.Multimedia from the Wayne Gretzky trade
Gretzky picks Blues' drive over Kings' cash
Wayne Gretzky became a member of the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night after weeks of speculation about the superstar's NHL future.
Just hours after the Kings announced Gretzky would play for Los Angeles on Wednesday, the Blues obtained the NHL's all-time leading scorer in exchange for three players and two draft picks.
| Gretzky |
"It's always hard to move on, but I think things will work out for myself and the Kings," Gretzky said at Tuesday night's news conference at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. "I was treated great in Los Angeles by the ownership and coaches. I would like to thank everyone in Los Angeles."
At a Kiel Center news conference early Wednesday morning, a beaming parade of Blues players and officials were elated and relieved after the trade was official. Blues President Jack Quinn and general manager-head coach Mike Keenan were present at the news conference along with star right wing Brett Hull, left wing Shayne Corson and defenseman Al MacInnis.
"The acquisition of Wayne Gretzky marks a very exciting time in the history of the St. Louis Blues and the city of St. Louis," Keenan said. "Not only is Wayne one of the greatest players to ever play in the National Hockey League, but he is also the League's finest ambassador."
The Blues even had Gretzky's Blues sweater with No. 99 and the captain's "C" ready for his arrival. Corson gave up the captaincy in respect to The Great One.
Gretzky, an unrestricted free agent after this season, said he has not yet agreed to terms on a new contract with the Blues.
"I have not talked with anyone on the Blues regarding a new contract," Gretzky said.
The Kings receive center Patrice Tardif, left wing Craig Johnson, center Roman Vopat, a first-round pick in 1997 and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. Vopat is said to have star potential. Tardif is 25, Vopat is 19 and Johnson will turn 24 on March 18.
Gretzky's first game with St. Louis is Thursday in Vancouver. ESPN2 will broadcast the Blues-Canucks game at 10:30 p.m. ET.
"You know how much I look forward to playing with Wayne," Hull said. "And there are 18 other guys who are just as excited as I am."
Gretzky will make $6.5 million this season, the most in the NHL, and was rumored to be seeking a three-year deal worth at least $7 million a year.
| Tardif |
St. Louis is a good fit for Gretzky, who is good friends with Hull. Gretzky's wife, actress Janet Jones, is a native of the St. Louis area and her parents still live there.
"Hullie is a great player, I'm excited about playing with him," Gretzky said. "Who wouldn't want to play with Brett Hull? I'm looking forward to playing for Mike Keenan. I've played for him before and enjoyed it."
Gretzky hasn't played for Keenan in the NHL but Iron Mike coached him in the 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup tournaments.
Besides moving to a contender, Gretzky wants to go to a team that needs a boost he can provide to fill any empty seats. Blues attendance is down an average of 1,252 per game this season compared with last season.
The Blues are already reaping such financial gains even before the trade became official. The Blues sold an additional 2,200 tickets in the last two days while the trade rumors swirled.
The delayed deal caps off a whirlwind day in which the Kings announced in the afternoon that Gretzky would remain in Los Angeles for the time being. Gretzky met with Kings management Tuesday to discuss whether he would continue playing with the team or approve a trade. The Kings said nothing was resolved at the meeting. Hours later, after deciding between a contract offer and a trade, Gretzky opted for a future with the Blues.
"He went away and discussed it with his family and let us know late this afternoon he preferred not to remain with the Kings," said Kings governor Bob Sanderman.
The contract would have spanned the rest of Gretzky's hockey career and a future front-office job.
"Finances never really were a factor," Gretzky said.
About a month ago, Gretzky went public with his desire to be traded if management didn't plan on improve the Kings. He said he thought the Kings weren't making the right moves to become a Stanley Cup contender.
For a month, rumors had the 35-year-old superstar going to the Blues, the New York Rangers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Canucks or the Detroit Red Wings.
| Johnson |
Gretzky was leading the Kings with 81 points, including 66 assists, in 62 games this season. In his seven-plus seasons with Los Angeles, Gretzky has totaled 246 goals and 672 assists for 918 points in 539 games.
He led Los Angeles to the Stanley Cup finals in 1992-93, but the Kings lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. They have not returned to the playoffs since.
Gretzky's 829 goals, 1,758 assists and 2,587 points in his 16-plus seasons are all NHL records. He also holds playoff records with 110 goals, 236 assists and 346 points.
In one of the biggest deals in pro sports history, Gretzky was traded to the Kings from the Oilers on Aug. 9, 1988, after Edmonton won its fourth Stanley Cup title in five seasons. The Oilers dealt Gretzky and Marty McSorley to Los Angeles for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first-round draft picks and $15 millionthing there. ... (Manson) doesn't know how to play the game. He's slow and takes stupid penalties. It's a joke, he's the dirtiest guy around."
