Bodger Draws Some Interest

With today’s noon trading deadline approaching, General Manager Dave Taylor huddled Monday with Bill O’Flaherty, the team’s player personnel director, and pro scouts Ace Bailey and Rob Laird.

They emerged with nothing.

A source near the situation said that he didn’t “think anything was close,” but later Monday night a Pittsburgh source said there had been talks concerning King defenseman Doug Bodger, a former Penguin, rejoining that team for its playoff run.

The Kings have talked with Detroit about Bodger, 32, who is playing under a one-year, $1.3-million contract. Red Wing General Manager Ken Holland told Detroit reporters Monday that there was no real interest in trading for Bodger or winger Russ Courtnall, also rumored to be heading that way.

The Red Wings, however, are seeking a defenseman because of the uncertainty in regards to Uwe Krupp’s ailing back, but they are reluctant to part with young players.

The Kings are too close to a playoff spot to shed salaries to teams higher in the standings and too far out to deal for an impact player who might put them over the top.

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Defenseman Steve Duchesne is scheduled to clear waivers at 9 a.m. today, after which the Kings could buy out the remaining three-plus years of his contract, send him to Long Beach of the IHL or trade him.

Negotiations continued with both Duchesne and other teams with no resolution, and there’s a possibility he will remain a King after today’s deadline.