Taylor Discussing Duchesne Buyout

Dave Taylor, the Kings’ vice president and general manager, and Pat Brisson, agent for defenseman Steve Duchesne, have had discussions about buying out the remainder of Duchesne’s four-year, $15-million contract.

The discussions have taken place even while Taylor is trying to trade Duchesne, who is on $100 waivers that have made him available to any team that will pay the remaining three-plus years of the deal.

The Philadelphia Flyers, who have been shopping for a defenseman, apparently are not interested.

“There’s a reason why he’s on waivers,” Flyer GM Bob Clarke told Philadelphia reporters after answering “probably not” to a question of interest in Duchesne.

Taylor has been trying to trade Duchesne for more than three weeks, and faced with a Tuesday noon deadline, the price is not particularly high. The Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, all said to be seeking defensemen, are possibilities, if the Kings will pick up a large chunk of the contract.

As likely, though, would be a buyout. Brisson said Saturday that Duchesne is firm that the buyout price would be the one set in the league’s collective bargaining agreement: two-thirds of the contract’s value, with an option of paying it out over six years. A catch here is that a buyout at this point would have to be approved by Duchesne. If he chooses not to approve it, he could be sent to the minor leagues.

“We’ve talked about that and Steve would play at Long Beach,” Brisson said. “He would have to to be paid.”

After the season, the team has the option.

Duchesne also has a no-trade clause in his contract that must be addressed.

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The Kings are close to an agreement with former Mighty Duck executive Kevin Gilmore to become Taylor’s assistant, largely in charge of writing and negotiating contracts. The move would leave Taylor the duties of player evaluation.

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Center Nathan LaFayette was sent down to the Long Beach Ice Dogs after Saturday’s game. . . . Center Ray Ferraro has been nominated by is the L.A. chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Assn. for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given to NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 5 PST

Channel 9

* Site--America West Arena, Phoenix.

* Radio--KRLA (1110).

* Records--Kings 26-37-5, Coyotes 33-24-12.

* Record vs. Coyotes--1-4.

* Update--In 1992, Mikhail Shtalenkov was the goalie for Russia’s Olympic gold-medal hockey team. His backup was Nikolai Khabibulin. Fast-forward to a bit more than a week ago, and Khabibulin is Phoenix’s starting goalie. His backup: Shtalenkov, given up in trade by the Edmonton Oilers for a draft choice.