Bure’s Season Ends Before It Begins

Forward Valeri Bure will undergo hip surgery Monday and will not play for the Kings this season, General Manager Dave Taylor said.

Bure signed a one-year, $1.5-million contract with the Kings in August and was expected to provide offense, particularly on the power play. But he has not played during the regular season because of a back injury that required surgery in December. The rehabilitation is expected to take three to four months.

“This is unrelated to his back problems,” Taylor said. “This something he has had for years.”

Bure’s contract may not count against the salary cap, as teams are allowed an exemption for players who miss the season. That could help Taylor should he try to shore up the Kings with a trade.

“If we need it, the exemption is there,” Taylor said.

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The St. Louis Blues have offered the Kings separate deals for center Dean McAmmond and defenseman Eric Weinrich, a source within the league said.

The Blues are believed to be seeking prospects in exchange, something Taylor is unlikely to consider.