Despite the Kings’ Dismal Season, Buss Gives Vachon a New Contract

General Manager Rogie Vachon of the Kings got a tangible vote of confidence from owner Jerry Buss Tuesday, just three days after the finish of the National Hockey League team’s worst season in 14 years.

Buss said at a press conference at the Forum that he has signed Vachon to a new multiyear contract.

Asked about the timing of the announcement, Buss said: “Between now and draft time, Rogie’s going to be approached by every general manager in the league, and I wanted to make sure they knew he had complete authority.”

Coach Pat Quinn has one year remaining on his contract, and Buss said that the Kings intend to honor it. Quinn recently was named coach of Team Canada for the world championship hockey tournament, which will begin Saturday in Moscow.

Vachon was named general manager Jan. 30, 1984, and the Kings made the playoffs in the 1984-85 season for the first time in three years.

This season, however, they finished with the second-worst record in the NHL (23-49-8) and missed the playoffs. They will have the second pick in the draft this June in Montreal.

“I knew when I took over that it would be a long struggle,” Vachon said. “No one said it was going to be easy. I thought we could make the playoffs every year, but it’s been a real struggle. It’s just a matter of time before we’re going to get a good hockey club.”