Pressler Left Impression in Anaheim

The departure of Paul Pressler, the Disney executive who oversaw the Mighty Ducks and Angels for Disney, will have little effect on the day-to-day hockey operations, team officials said.

What may directly affect the Ducks was the hiring of a New York investment bank to actively search for a buyer for Disney’s sports franchises. Hockey sources said that Disney has dropped its asking price for the Ducks and might entertain offers similar to the $101 million that the Florida Panthers were sold for in 2001.

Three years ago, Disney was asking $150 million for the team. The franchise cost the company $50 million in 1993. Disney officials declined to comment on the possible sale of the Ducks or the Angels.

Pressler, who left to become chief executive of the Gap retail clothing company, was less hands-on than his predecessor, Tony Tavares. He set up both teams with a general manager and business executive, who reported directly to Pressler.

Bryan Murray was moved in as the Ducks’ general manager and Doug Moss was hired as vice president for business operations. Duck officials credited Pressler with backing their efforts to revive the woeful franchise. Bill Stoneman handled the baseball operations for the Angels, while Kevin Uhlich ran the business side.

Pressler, who was also in charge of Disney’s theme parks and resorts, informed Duck and Angel officials of his resignation Wednesday night.

A replacement for Pressler is expected to be announced within a few days.

“I hope it doesn’t affect us at all,” Murray said. “Paul was awfully good to work with in the short time I worked with him. He allowed me to do what has happened, the renovation [of the training facility], and the staffing and player changes. The indications I have is we keep going.”

Chris Foster

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Before Erik Rasmussen was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres with the seventh pick overall in the 1996 NHL draft, King General Manager Dave Taylor considered him a potential superstar.

That’s not how it worked out in Buffalo, but when Taylor got the chance to trade for Rasmussen two months ago, he didn’t hesitate, sending little-used Adam Mair and a 2003 draft pick to the Sabres for the 6-foot-2, 207-pound left wing.

“It seems to me, and to our scouting staff, that there’s a little more offensive upside, a little more potential in him,” Taylor said Thursday before the Kings’ 3-2 exhibition victory over the Phoenix Coyotes in front of 14,352 at Staples Center. “He’s only 25 years old and he skates well for his size.”

In the best of his five seasons with the Sabres, Rasmussen scored 31 points, among them 12 goals. Last season, he had 19 points in 69 games.

“He’s bigger and stronger than Adam, but is he as competitive?” Coach Andy Murray said. “Does he work as hard? Those things are yet to be determined.”

Jerry Crowe