Former Duck Kurri Signs With Avalanche

Jari Kurri, a step slower and no longer in the Mighty Ducks’ plans, signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent Friday. His one-year contract is worth $1.2 million.

In May, the Ducks decided not to exercise their $1.5-million option on Kurri for next season. They would have re-signed him only if he had lowered his price tag.

Kurri, 37, who spent nearly five seasons with the Kings before joining Anaheim, needs four goals to become the eighth player in NHL history with 600. He also is the league’s leading European-born scorer. He said Friday he is “anxious to go after my sixth Stanley Cup,” having won five with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Ducks signed Kurri last summer to bolster their leadership and scoring. They got the leadership, but Kurri’s scoring dipped.

By season’s end, Kurri had only 13 goals and 35 points and was playing on the second and third lines.

Kurri’s big season with the Kings was 1992-93, when he scored 27 goals and had 60 assists as he and longtime Edmonton teammate Wayne Gretzky led Los Angeles to the Stanley Cup finals.

Meanwhile, the Ducks’ interest in Don Hay apparently has been rekindled. Hay is expected to soon be hired as an assistant coach. He once was considered the top candidate to replace Ron Wilson as Duck coach.