Slap Shots From Both Sides of Great Debate Over the Great One

To L.A. King management: Are you out of your mind for even thinking about trading Wayne Gretzky? An act such as this will be the death of hockey in Los Angeles. The Forum will become the graveyard it once was when I was a season-seat holder during the early ‘80s.

Wayne is why people go to games. If he is traded, I will gladly trade my silver-and-black sportswear for a Mighty Duck jersey, or worse yet, Ice Dog colors.

FRED ZAMARRIPA JR.

Whittier

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If the Kings manage to make the second blunder of this year by not doing everything to keep Wayne Gretzky in L.A., then they can forget about building a new arena. The number of fans left to support the Kings wouldn’t even be enough to fill the seats in their practice rink. But, hey, when have the fans ever been taken into consideration?

PATRICIA CASTRO

Montebello

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OK, here’s the deal: A multi-team trade that sees Wayne Gretzky dealt somewhere, in return for Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. Probably worth the new owners’ considering.

Here’s the alternative: Gretzky dealt somewhere. Whoever in return. The Kings return to the glory days of the early ‘80s. I get to the game five minutes before it starts, park near the entrance, buy a scalper’s ticket for less than I paid to park and get to sit at ice level, almost anywhere in the Forum.

TERRANCE DUSHENKO

Hermosa Beach

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While I don’t want him to leave, I wouldn’t feel that bad about Gretzky being traded by the Kings if I thought management could get some talent in return. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Kings’ front office is competent enough to get, for instance, what the Cowboys got for Herschel Walker--a lot; I think the Kings would end up with what the Rams got for Eric Dickerson--nothing.

JOHN FRASER

Aliso Viejo

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It becomes more and more evident that the Kings are sorely in need of new management that is competent and pragmatic. Sam “the Disaster” McMaster’s recent statements regarding the Gretzky situation and the team’s future, “the Kings want to both build for the future and keep their veterans, including Gretzky,” are ridiculous.

Hey, Sam, you can’t have it both ways. Make a decision and stick to it.

JEFFREY D. DAVINE

Calabasas

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The truly great part of the Gretzky contract situation has to be that a player had to inform management what the team needs to return to winning ways.

The team’s new owners need to assemble a quality management staff to complement Coach Larry Robinson if the Kings are ever going to perform as their royal nickname would imply. Otherwise, keep Sam McMaster and change the team name to the Jesters.

ANDREW D. JAMNER

Torrance