Kurri Becomes Free Agent, Might Play in Italy

Jari Kurri of the Edmonton Oilers became a free agent with compensation Sunday, but it appeared unlikely that any other NHL club would pay the price to get him.

Kurri, who became the NHL’s all-time playoff goal-scoring leader and led the Oilers to their fifth Stanley Cup last spring, has said he expects to sign a contract to play in Italy.

“It should be done by the first or second week of July for sure,” Kurri said of negotiations with officials in Milan.

Kurri has said he would like to be reunited with former linemate Wayne Gretzky of the Kings. But if Kurri were to sign now, the Oilers could demand compensation. If Kurri plays one year in Europe, however, he could join the Kings next season and the Oilers would not be entitled to compensation--because Kurri would have reached the required age of 31.

Kurri was at the head of the list of free agents with compensation. Others are Bob Carpenter of the Boston Bruins, Wayne Presley of the Chicago Blackhawks, Mike Gartner and John Ogrodnick of the New York Rangers and Scott Stevens of the Washington Capitals. Mats Naslund of the Montreal Canadiens is listed as a free agent with compensation, but has signed with a club in Switzerland.

Players available without compensation include Brian Propp of the Boston Bruins, Al Secord and Duane Sutter of the Chicago Blackhawks, Randy Gregg of the Oilers, Ken Linseman of the Philadelphia Flyers and Paul Reinhart of the Vancouver Canucks.