Report Filed by the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers filed a report with the NHL that the Kings’ Sean Avery made a derogatory comment to the Oilers’ Georges Laraque during Tuesday night’s game.

Colin Campbell, the NHL’s director of operations, spoke with both teams Wednesday. The league also checked with game officials, who said they did not hear a remark. The NHL is not expected to pursue the matter, citing a lack of evidence.

“We didn’t file a complaint,” Edmonton General Manager Kevin Lowe said. “I was told Avery said something to Georges. I felt it was my duty as a GM to bring it to the NHL’s attention.”

The Kings, meanwhile, were brushing aside the matter.

“I don’t have any comment,” Kings’ General Manager Dave Taylor said. “Sean indicated to us that he didn’t say anything.”

Other King players who were talked to said they heard nothing on the ice.

Avery created an uproar three weeks ago with comments about French-Canadian players, for which he issued an apology.

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The Kings will honor Adam Deadmarsh during a March 20 game against Colorado. He announced his retirement last month after he was unable to return from a concussion, one of many he suffered in his career.

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Kings’ forwards Alexander Frolov and Valeri Bure have been added to the preliminary roster for the Russian Olympic team. The roster already included King defenseman Denis Grebeshkov, who is playing with Manchester in the American Hockey League.

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If the early season is any indicator, defensemen Joe Corvo and Mike Weaver will play large roles for the team.

Corvo will be looked upon to play the point on power plays, and Weaver will play the role of penalty killer.

“I thought Joe was real solid and that’s how we want him to play,” Coach Andy Murray said Wednesday, a day after Corvo scored his first goal this season.

Corvo is trying to rebound from a rocky 2003-04 -- a season in which he co-led King defensemen with eight goals but also was benched when he began struggling on the ice and was suspended for three games without pay after pleading guilty to two counts relating to an attack on a woman in Boston.

Weaver has gained Murray’s confidence by being what the coach calls a “physical workhorse.”

“Fans are going to like him,” Murray said. “He’s a real competitor.”

Weaver was part of a 6-on-3 penalty kill in the team’s home opener.

“That’s what I’ve built myself into and that’s my job,” Weaver said. “Some guys on the team are meant to score, I’m meant to stop the puck. I try to be the goalie’s best friend.”