NHL GMs Making Out Free-Agent Shopping Lists

Mark Messier of the New York Rangers is the most prominent of the NHL players eligible for unrestricted free agency today, but he may not be the most popular.

That probably will be Edmonton Oiler defenseman Luke Richardson, whose bruising style would help any team. The Oilers offered him about $1.7 million a year, but the Philadelphia Flyers may offer $2.5 million.

“I anticipate he and Shawn Chambers [of the New Jersey Devils] will get some offers,” King General Manager Dave Taylor said Monday. “There are several teams that feel they need to add a solid defenseman, and Chambers can help the power play. Luke is more of a stay-at-home defenseman.”

Goalies Ed Belfour of San Jose and Andy Moog of Dallas are also on the list of unrestricted free agents.

Taylor plans to make calls today in pursuit of “veteran players whose worth you don’t see in goals, assists and points but can help our younger players.”

Keane and Phoenix left wing Kris King fit that description and probably will hear from Taylor. However, he doesn’t anticipate bidding on Group 2 (restricted) free agents--such as Mighty Duck winger Paul Kariya--because compensation can be up to five first-round draft picks. The player’s team can match any offer.

The Kings’ Group 2 free agents are goalies Byron Dafoe and Jamie Storr, defensemen Sean O’Donnell and Philippe Boucher, and forwards Vladimir Tsyplakov, Roman Vopat, Jeff Shevalier, Ian Laperriere, Craig Johnson, Glen Murray, Dan Bylsma, Vitali Yachmenev and Yanic Perreault.

They bought out defenseman John Slaney and won’t make offers to Brent Grieve, Mark Astley, J.C. Bergeron, Stephane Soulliere, Barry Potomski, Paul DiPietro, Kai Nurminen and Ken McRae, all unrestricted free agents.

Duck forwards Brian Bellows and Ken Baumgartner are unrestricted free agents, as is defenseman J.J. Daigneault. Their Group 2 free agents are Kariya, Ted Drury, J.F. Jomphe, David Karpa, Dmitri Mironov and Sean Pronger.

NHL Note

The Kings signed minor league left winger Sean O’Brien, 25, to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.