Vancouver Renews Interest in Making Trade for Gretzky

Although the New York Rangers apparently have stepped out of the Wayne Gretzky race, another team has jumped in.

Vancouver Canuck General Manager Pat Quinn has been talking with the Kings about acquiring Gretzky, according to a report in Thursday’s Vancouver Province.

“Pat has held recent discussions with the Kings’ management people, and they are ongoing,” said John Chapple, president and chief executive officer of Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, the corporate owner of the Canucks.

“The degree to which these discussions will evolve at this stage is unknown, but we are looking at every possibility to improve.”

The Canucks are one of the few teams with the financial wherewithal to deal for Gretzky. Before Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles from Edmonton in 1988, there had been some interest in him by Vancouver.

Three teams have publicly expressed interest in Gretzky--the Rangers, the St. Louis Blues and the Canucks--if he were to be traded. King President Rogie Vachon and General Manager Sam McMaster have declined comment on possible trade negotiations.