Kings Reward Kurri With Two-Year Pact

Right wing Jari Kurri, one of the few Kings who did not have a disappointing showing last season, agreed to a new contract Thursday and will receive a sizable raise.

It is two-year deal, the second year an option year. Figures were not disclosed, but the contract is in the neighborhood of $4 million. It is said to be similar to the one signed last week by Washington’s Joe Juneau, who has a four-year deal worth $8.2 million.

Kurri, 34, made $1 million last season. He had 31 goals and 46 assists and was the Kings’ third-leading scorer.

Separately, the Kings are expected to announce today that they have signed free-agent forwards Dan Quinn and Troy Crowder, according to league sources. King General Manager Sam McMaster was unavailable for comment.

The 29-year-old Quinn, once a 40-goal scorer in Pittsburgh, has a controversial past. While with the Minnesota North Stars, he was arrested in November of 1992 after a 19-year-old woman alleged that he had raped her. Authorities later declined to charge him, saying they would be unable to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. The North Stars released him for a curfew violation the night of the alleged incident.

Last season, Quinn played in Europe, then joined the Ottawa Senators for their final 13 games, scoring seven goals.

Crowder, 26, has been out of hockey since the 1991-92 season because of a back injury. The 6-4, 220-pounder is known for his fighting ability, recording 182 penalty minutes in 59 games with New Jersey in the 1990-91 season.

The Kings also reached agreements with left wings Mike Donnelly and Keith Redmond, and centers Pat Conacher and Robert Lang. Donnelly signed a three-year deal--two years plus an option--averaging about $725,000 a season. Donnelly had 21 goals and 42 points last season.

Conacher, 35, is coming off a strong season in which he scored 15 goals and 28 points. He signed a two-year contract--one year plus an option--worth about $850,000. Lang, who scored 19 points in 32 games last season, signed a two-year contract, one year plus an option, as did Redmond.