North Stars Could Lose Personnel

As Wayne Gretzky can attest, anybody can be traded in the National Hockey League. From year to year, dozens of players change teams. But nobody has faced the situation that confronts the Minnesota North Stars.

According to terms of the agreement under which George and Gordon Gund sold the team in the off-season, the Gunds will be able to select most of Minnesota’s top prospects for their new San Jose Sharks’ franchise, which begins NHL play next year.

The latest Stars’ owner, Norman Green, is trying to renegotiate the deal. But as it stands, Minnesota will lose several minor-leaguers plus at least four members of the team : goalie Jarmo Myllys, right wing Mike Craig and defensemen Rob Zettler and Neil Wilkinson.

“It’s kind of a scary feeling,” said center Mike Modano, who is not in danger of being taken by San Jose. “You’re playing for one team this year and you know you’re going to be playing for another one next year. It’s going to be tough on the young guys.”

San Jose General Manager Jack Ferreira, who drafted right wing Ulf Dahlen for the New York Rangers in 1985, wants Dahlen with the Sharks. Ferreira has offered to let the Stars protect one prospect -- Wilkinson is the logical one -- if they give up Dahlen. North Stars’ General Manager Bob Clarke says he will decide after the season whether to accept Ferreira’s offer.

“It’s always great to play where they want you,” Dahlen said. “It’s over my head. I can’t do anything about it. I’m looking forward to having a good season for the North Stars.”

After missing Minnesota’s first two games with a sore right hand, Dahlen returned to the lineup Monday night when the Stars faced the Rangers. It was his first game at the Garden since last March 6, when the Rangers traded him and a fourth-round 1990 draft pick to the Stars for Mike Gartner, a 1990 fourth-round choice and future considerations.

Wilkinson said of his situation, “I had a lot of problems with it over the summer, trying to get my head on straight. But with the amount I’m playing and the confidence they’ve shown in me, all I want to do is play hockey ... whether it’s here or in San Jose.”

Looking on the bright side, Wilkinson said the top Star prospects, most of whom are now with the IHL’s Kalamazoo Wings, figure they’re likely to be in the NHL next season. “It gives guys some hope, knowing if they’re patient, it’ll pay off. It gives them something to work for.”

Zettler said, “It’s a great opportunity for the young guys, but we’ve got a long year ahead of us. I don’t want to think about next year. I want to think about this year. That’s the first priority. I could be in Minnesota; I could be in San Jose. I hear it’s beautiful there.”

Craig said, “Norm Green’s trying to redo the deal. There’s nothing set in stone. I’d love to stay here, but the whole team doesn’t know what’s going to happen. I’m not even thinking about San Jose. I’m part of Minnesota this year. Everybody’s thinking about this year and helping Minnesota be successful.”