Leiweke Staying Faithful to Cause

Three weeks after saying a major trade for a marquee player who would boost the Kings’ offense and fill seats at the Staples Center was “more probable today than ever before,” club President Tim Leiweke backtracked Friday in the face of the team’s 2-9-1 record since Oct. 30.

“If we made no move, we would make the playoffs,” he said. “And I’m going to send a letter to season-ticket holders to that effect. I have the utmost faith in this team. I haven’t lost faith in this team.”

The Kings had given him little reason for such faith before their 5-0 victory Saturday and rank near the bottom of the NHL in most major categories.

However, Leiweke insisted he won’t make a significant move while operating from a position of weakness, even though continued losses would further undermine their position.

Sources said General Manager Dave Taylor is discussing a trade for Ottawa center Radek Bonk, a mid-level deal, but it’s certain Pavel Bure’s rights won’t change hands this weekend. Vancouver General Manager Brian Burke, who was expected to visit the Forum on his cross-continent search for trading partners willing to take the holdout right wing, didn’t attend Saturday night’s game, though Steve Tambellini, vice president for player personnel, was there.

“General managers and teams are predators and will come in and pick your bones when you’re down and out,” Leiweke said. “We will not make a move out of desperation. We’re less likely to do anything today [than before] because we’re not going to let anyone take advantage of our team. . . . I don’t think this team will keep losing. I’m not one to make excuses. Every team has injuries, and we were lucky last year not to have any. That caught up with us this year and we lost our two best defensemen, our best forward and two keepers. By next weekend, when we get some guys back, things will get better.”

Leiweke does believe the Kings need a marquee player to draw fans to the new arena.

“Wayne Gretzky filled up the building again [Thursday] and that proves the point,” Leiweke said. “But I don’t want to put ourselves in the position of giving away good, young players.”

Bure is one of the NHL’s few box-office draws. It’s believed the Canucks asked for two of three Kings--Glen Murray, Jozef Stumpel and Olli Jokinen. Bure is asking for about $25 million for this season and the next two, a hefty price tag even for the financially stable Kings.

The Flames would give up feisty right wing Theo Fleury for one of the players on that list, but the Kings are wary of losing him to unrestricted free agency after this season and reluctant to give him a contract worth $5 million a year. The New York Islanders and Kings haven’t had substantive discussions about restricted free agent Ziggy Palffy.

It’s also unlikely the Kings will wrest Jaromir Jagr from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in bankruptcy. Jagr is one of the Penguins’ biggest assets and is likely to stay at least through this season, when they hope to have their finances reorganized. In addition, Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated he won’t approve deals involving large amounts of cash.

Despite the Kings’ losses and flagging attendance, Leiweke said he will wait for the right trade.

“I’m not saying we’re not going to do a deal,” he said. “I’m saying we’re not going to do a bad deal. These opportunities may go, but the economics of the league are such that more teams will run into trouble and player salaries will force more teams to make moves. I’m not rejoicing. But the reality is, those opportunities will come again.”