THE SIDELINES : Canucks May Get 2nd Soviet Star

The agent who steered Soviet hockey star Igor Larionov to the Vancouver Canucks said today that Vladimir Krutov has been released by the Red Army team and may follow his teammate.

Mark Malcovich said he will go to Moscow around Aug. 13 with either Canucks general manager Pat Quinn or director of player personnel Brian Burke to try to negotiate a contract.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota North Stars denied a report today that they had signed former Soviet ice hockey star Khelmut Balderis. The Soviet press agency Tass said Balderis, 37, had quit his post as manager of Dynamo Riga unexpectedly and would join the North Stars soon.