Taylor Continues Search for Forward

Dave Taylor returned home empty-handed from this week’s general managers’ meetings in Naples, Fla., but the Kings’ pursuit of a high-scoring forward has not been abandoned.

It’s just that, with the playoff races in each conference so tightly packed, few teams are willing to make major moves just yet, even with the March 19 trade deadline rapidly approaching, Taylor said.

“Not a lot of players available,” he said. “There’s still 10 days. I think we have to remain patient and see how it goes.”

Taylor has said for months that he would like to move a goaltender, former starter Stephane Fiset probably being his first choice over Jamie Storr, but his No. 1 objective is landing a top-flight forward.

“I don’t view it as a hole, particularly,” he said, “but it’s an area where we could strengthen ourselves and give ourselves a little more balance. You could also use help in different areas, but our primary need would be a scorer.”

Bill Guerin of the Boston Bruins, Tony Amonte of the Chicago Blackhawks and Bobby Holik of the New Jersey Devils, all eligible to become free agents after the season, have been mentioned as possibilities. But even if those players were made available, the Kings obviously wouldn’t be the only team interested.

So, Taylor sits and waits. Failing to make a trade, he said, “wouldn’t be the end of the world for us. The team’s been playing well.”

*

With Steve Heinze having been benched Thursday night, Kelly Buchberger and Ian Laperriere are the only Kings who have played in all 64 games. Coach Andy Murray said he would decide this morning if Heinze will play today against the Colorado Avalanche.

“I’d like to get him back in there right away,” Murray said, “but we played a pretty solid game in Nashville.”

*

On his second day back at work after his auto accident last month in Wisconsin, Murray planned to venture out into 20-degree temperatures Friday night to watch a college hockey game. “I’d go crazy if I was sitting here too much,” he said.

*

TODAY

at Colorado, noon PST

Channel 7

Site--Pepsi Center.

Radio--KSPN (1110).

Records--Kings 30-21-9-4, Avalanche 36-21-7-1.

Record vs. Avalanche--1-1.

Update--The Kings, who have earned points in 21 of 25 road games since the end of October, wrap up a three-game trip against a team that sits comfortably atop the Northwest Division standings.

*

Jerry Crowe