Kings, Ducks Won't Give Up Early Picks : Hockey: Teams need first-round spots to get to the next level.

Kings, Ducks Won’t Give Up Early Picks : Hockey: Teams need first-round spots to get to the next level.

By LISA DILLMAN

July 8, 1995 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

EDMONTON, Canada —

So far, the Kings and the Mighty Ducks--selecting third and fourth overall, respectively--have rejected all overtures to trade their first-round selections in today’s NHL entry draft at the Coliseum.

Strange as it may seem, the two teams have much in common--as in planning for the future. The Ducks, heading into their third season, are trying to build upon an impressive foundation. And the Kings, Stanley Cup finalists two years ago, are a shell of that team, trying to live down past forgettable drafts.

Edmonton Journal columnist Cam Cole on Friday handed the Kings the Blind Squirrel Cup, given to the worst drafting team in the NHL.

Yet the Kings have ample opportunity to forge ahead, with four of the first 59 picks--one pick in the first round, two in the second and one in the third. It is the first time they’ve had first-round selections in consecutive years since 1985-86. The Ducks have picks in every round except the fourth and ninth.

Defenseman Bryan Berard of the Detroit Jr. Red Wings is expected to be the first selection, and the Ottawa Senators have the pick, barring a trade. The consensus among hockey insiders is that even the top draft picks here are still at least a year away from stepping into the NHL. The Kings are focusing on center Chad Kilger of Kingston in the Ontario Hockey League, Finnish defenseman Aki-Petteri Berg and Czech forward Radek Dvorak.

The Ducks brought in nine prospects for visits to Anaheim and, as always, have given no indications regarding their pick. In addition to the aforementioned players, the Ducks seem to hold right wing Shane Doan of Kamloops of the Western Hockey League and defenseman Wade Redden of Brandon of the WHL in higher regard than the Kings.

“I don’t know if [Redden] slipped down or the others just went up,” King General Manager Sam McMaster said. “Berard has shown leadership. Dvorak finally went up because people saw him after he came back from an injury and Berg had been sick. Other good players surfaced.”

Anaheim General Manager Jack Ferreira said he didn’t think Redden would drop far in the draft. “He’s probably the steadiest,” Ferreira said. “He’s probably the smartest defenseman to have come out in years. His greatest asset is that he always finds the open man.”

Another element to consider is the status of two unsigned draft picks from 1993--center Todd Bertuzzi (Islanders) and defenseman Brendan Witt (Washington). Neither player was close to an agreement late Friday night. If the teams were unable to sign them by midnight, the players would both go back into the draft. Then the Islanders and Capitals would get an extra second-round pick as compensation.

McMaster said he would be very interested in Witt even though he sat out all of last season. “I have a gut feeling he will sign,” McMaster said. “But if he was there, it would be very tough to pass on him.”

King-Mighty Duck Notes

The Mighty Ducks on Friday signed 18-year-old defenseman Pavel Trnka, a fifth-round draft pick in 1994, to a multiyear contract. Trnka, 6-3 and 197 pounds, played for HC Kladno in the Czech Elite League last season. He will be at Duck training camp in September and signed a three-way contract, with provisions for the NHL, minor leagues and junior leagues. . . . Two of the Kings’ coaching candidates--former Calgary coach Dave King and Denver Grizzly Coach Butch Goring--have had meetings with co-owner Joe Cohen. A third candidate, New Jersey assistant Larry Robinson, still may interview but it does not appear likely he will end up coaching the Kings.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NHL Draft

The selection order for the first round of today’s NHL draft: 1. Ottawa

2. N.Y. Islanders

3. Kings

4. Mighty Ducks

5. Tampa Bay

6. Edmonton

7. Winnipeg

8. Montreal

9. Boston*

10. Florida