Trade Was a Shock to Duchesne

Not all the Kings celebrated the news that Jari Kurri had joined them.

“It was kind of a shock,” said defenseman Steve Duchesne, who was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in the three-team deal. “I understand Wayne (Gretzky) wants Kurri here. I’ve got nothing against him. A lot of people are telling me things like Wayne made the trade. I don’t believe that. Playing with him raised my level of play.

“And (owner) Bruce McNall helped me on and off the ice. When we (he and Luc Robitaille) first came to L.A., I barely spoke English. He (McNall) took care of us and put us up at his place in Malibu.”

Duchesne said his mood changed from shock to excitement Friday after talking with the Flyers’ front office.

“I was a little mad at first,” Duchesne said. “I have a lot of friends here. I think the team is almost there, almost ready to win a Cup and I wanted to be part of it.”