Blake, Management Remain at a Standoff

Though they have no meetings set, Dave Taylor, the Kings’ senior vice president and general manager, is open to any that defenseman Rob Blake and his agent, Ron Salcer, want to have.

“We’d be happy to talk with them,” said Taylor on Wednesday, hours after Blake met with Toronto reporters and told them that he wanted to re-sign with the Kings but, if that is not possible, to check with him next summer about other cities, including this one.

The two sides have not met since before Christmas. Earlier, Blake spurned a three-year, $21.5-million offer.

The Christmas-week meeting outlined in general terms what it might take to sign Blake, who is seeking market value, which is $9-million-plus a season for as many seasons as he can get.

The Kings have said they can’t afford that, and Blake has responded that there is no need for additional meetings if there is no negotiating to do.

But he remains available to talk.

Taylor said Wednesday that teams have called the Kings to inquire about a trade, though he would provide no details. It is believed Toronto is one of the teams, and other calls have come from New York and New Jersey. Taylor also acknowledged that a trade would be more difficult if Blake continues to insist that he will not sign with any team but the Kings before his contract ends on June 30. After that he is an unrestricted free agent.

Blake reiterated Wednesday that he would do just that.

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King wing Ziggy Palffy was named to the World All-Stars for the NHL All-Star game on Feb. 4 in Denver. Wing Marko Tuomainen was sent to Lowell of the American Hockey League on a conditioning assignment. He was scratched from the last two games.