THE SIDELINES : Swedish Hockey Star Faces Europe Ban, Lawsuit if He Stays With Kings

Swedish hockey star Mikael Lindholm could be suspended from playing in Europe for life and sued with breach of contract if he decides to continue his career with the Los Angeles Kings, it was reported today.

Lindholm, 24, who has played two years for Brynas and was under contract with the Swedish Elite League club, signed a two-year deal with the Kings earlier this summer. But the June 30 deadline for transfers between Sweden and the NHL had already passed when he signed the contract.

Brynas asked for $121,000 in compensation but reportedly will not receive anything from the Kings, the Aftonbladet newspaper said.

“Mikael is tied by a contract with Brynas, and the NHL has honored those throughout the years. I think (NHL President) John Ziegler will stop this,” Swedish Hockey Federation President Richard Fagerlund was quoted by Aftonbladet as saying. Fagerlund said he met Ziegler in London last weekend.

Lindholm, a winger, says he will travel to Ottawa next Sunday to join the Kings’ preseason training camp despite risking a lifetime ban from playing in Europe.