After Losing Messier, Rangers Go After Sakic

The New York Rangers, who lost Mark Messier to free agency nine days ago, signed Colorado All-Star center Joe Sakic to an offer sheet Wednesday. Terms of the offer were not disclosed.

Sakic, 28, is a Group II restricted free agent, meaning the Avalanche has a week to match the Rangers offer. If it does not, Colorado would receive five first-round draft picks as compensation.

Sakic was the 14th-highest paid player in the NHL last season, earning $3.1 million. He had 22 goals and 52 assists in 65 games last season.

Earlier, left wing Mike Peluso, acquired by the Rangers from St. Louis as compensation for the Blues’ hiring of Larry Pleau as general manager, signed his contract.

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Nashville’s NHL expansion franchise turned to the minor-league ranks, hiring Barry Trotz as coach and Paul Gardner to assist him.

Trotz and Gardner will spend the next year scouting in preparation for June’s expansion draft. The Nashville team will begin play in the 1998-99 season.

Tennis

Chris Woodruff’s magic run lasted only a week.

Woodruff, who got his first tour victory Sunday at the du Maurier Open in Montreal, lost to Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (8-6), in the second round of the $2.3 million ATP Championship.

Also advancing were two-time former champion Michael Chang, Goran Ivanisevic and Thomas Muster.

Magnus Gustafsson of Sweden defeated Alberto Martin of Spain, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, in the second round of the San Marino tournament.

Basketball

Gerald Wilkins, who has averaged nearly 14 points a game in 11 NBA seasons, re-signed with the Orlando Magic. The 6-foot-6 swingman played in 80 games last season--his first with Orlando--and averaged 10.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Free-agent forward David Benoit, who missed last season because of a ruptured right Achilles tendon, has re-signed with the Nets. Terms of the one-year contract were not disclosed.

Jurisprudence

Two Louisiana men have been arrested in connection with a murder-for-hire scheme against two part-owners of Lafayette’s minor-league hockey team, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Skinner.

Businessmen and lawyers Ernest Parker of Lafayette and Logan Nichols of Jennings--both part owners of the IceGators hockey team--were the apparent targets of Richard Barnett, 51, and Virgil Drake, 60, both of Lafayette.

A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit accusing a national bass fishing organization and founder Ray Scott of illegally profiting from millions of dollars in member payments.

Miscellany

Mississippi State begins football practice this week mourning Keffer McGee, the star running back who drowned in an apartment complex swimming pool about a mile from campus.

McGee, who took swimming lessons as a freshman four years ago, died Tuesday. He was with an unidentified female companion who authorities said could not swim.

New England Revolution striker Joe-Max Moore will be sidelined for the remainder of the season because of an ankle injury.

Pat Garrity scored 20 points to lead the United States to a 90-66 victory over Lithuania in the under-23 World Basketball Championships at Melbourne.