Kings’ Gretzky Is Expected to Sign a New 8-Year, $20-Million Contract

VICTORIA, Canada — Owner Bruce McNall of the Kings, who gave General Manager Rogie Vachon a 2-year contract extension last weekend, may finally get Wayne Gretzky’s signature on a new contract this weekend, the player’s agent said Monday.

“We expect the contract to be in their hands by the end of the week,” Gretzky’s agent, Ian Barrigan, said Monday from Edmonton after coming here for Gretzky’s first game in a King uniform, a 7-4 exhibition loss to the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night.

Barrigan said McNall instructed him to draw up a contract after Gretzky came to terms on an 8-year deal that could be worth, with bonuses, as much as $20 million. After acquiring Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers Aug. 9, McNall said it had taken less than half a day to come to terms with the 8-time Most Valuable Player in the National Hockey League.

Barrigan said the delay in signing is a consequence of the complexity of the contract, “by far” the most involved he has ever dealt with. Asked if he thought the signing was all but a formality now, Barrigan said: “I would feel that it is virtually routine, but not having dealt with the Kings before, it’s hard to know.”

McNall said he anticipated no problems on the contract, which includes a provision giving Gretzky the right to retire after 4 seasons without fear of being sued for breach of contract. That stipulation was insisted upon by Gretzky’s advisers, who--citing an obscure case in the Canadian Football League--said they wanted to afford Gretzky that protection.

Responding to the suggestion that Gretzky could earn $20 million only if he fulfills unrealistic incentive clauses--such as winning the Stanley Cup each season--Barrigan said: “The money being talked about is real. It’s not tied to pie-in-the-sky bonuses.”

Barrigan also said that there have been discussions regarding a role for Gretzky with the Kings following his playing career. Asked if Gretzky might consider a management position, Barrigan said: “He could, very much so. He definitely has a good business mind.”

The position of general manager apparently will be occupied by Vachon at least through the 1990-91 season after his contract was extended by McNall for 2 seasons, with an option for a 3rd. Vachon, who replaced George Maguire as the team’s general manager on Jan. 30, 1984, has not seen his team advance beyond the first round of the playoffs, but the extension obviously signals a commitment from McNall.

Since the end of last season, the Kings have revised their management team considerably. Former NHL defenseman Nick Beverley was named director of player personnel and development; Bob Owen was named director of amateur scouting, and long-time scout Ted O’Connor was named a special assistant to Vachon. Also, the Kings’ farm affiliate has a new director of operations, Pat Hickey, and a new coach, Rick Dudley.

Monday, the Kings announced the hiring of a new director of public relations, Scott Carmichael, who will oversee marketing and advertising as well as coordinating communications for TV and radio. Carmichael has worked in public relations and marketing for the Sports Arena and the Colisuem Commission and was media director of the Clippers for 2 seasons. He had served as Kings’ media relations director in 1980-84.

King Notes

Right wing Marty McSorley, acquired from Edmonton in the Wayne Gretzky deal, left camp here to return home to Hamilton, Ontario, because of an illness in the family. It’s not certain when McSorley will be back. He took his skates with him. . . . Rookie goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick, who missed Saturday night’s exhibition with Vancouver because of a bruised knee, will play tonight in a minor league game, then join the Kings in Portland for their exhibition against the Canucks Wednesday night. . . . Gretzky will be among a group of players who will return to Los Angeles when the team breaks camp here Friday. Those players will not accompany the team to Winnipeg for an exhibition against the Jets Saturday. . . . Three players here on tryout already have been cut, including aptly named defenseman, John Gladiator.