Kings No Longer Interested in Inviting Lafleur to Summer Training Camp

The Kings no longer are interested in inviting Guy Lafleur to training camp, apparently because Lafleur did not want to come to camp without a contract.

In a statement released Tuesday by the Kings, General Manager Rogie Vachon said: “Because of my deep respect for Guy, and natural curiosity, I was more than happy to discuss these possibilities when I was contacted by Mr. Lafleur’s representative.

“After some conversation, both parties decided that we would be unable to reach an agreement that would be in Mr. Lafleur’s best interests and we have mutually agreed to close the matter.”

Meanwhile, Lafleur’s agent, Yves Trembley, said that he has also contacted the New York Rangers, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings.

Lafleur, though, won’t go to camp without a contract.

“He’s not a draft choice,” Trembley said of his client, a two-time National Hockey League most valuable player who retired in 1984 after playing 14 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. “A player of his quality should get a contract before he goes.”