THE SIDELINES : Robinson Free to Sign With Kings

Larry Robinson is free to sign a three-year deal with Los Angeles, Montreal Canadiens’ General Manager Serge Savard said today.

Savard said that he will not match the Kings’ offer to the veteran defenseman and that he will inform Canadiens’ President Ronald Corey of the decision before notifying the Kings later today.

Robinson and his agent, Don Cape, reached agreement in principle with Los Angeles owner Bruce McNall on Tuesday on a contract worth $1.5 million for two years plus a guaranteed option year. (Earlier story in Sports section.)

Montreal had a week to match the offer to the free agent. The Canadiens will receive no compensation from Los Angeles.

“At this time we have no intention to match the offer,” Savard said. “We offered him two years’ salary to play for one year. I think we showed him enough respect. If he wanted to finish his career in Montreal, he could have done so.”