Kings, winger Simon Gagne agree to two-year, $7-million deal

Shut out in the Brad Richards sweepstakes, the Kings on Saturday agreed to terms with free-agent left wing Simon Gagne on a two-year, $7-million deal.

He will earn $4.5 million the first year and $2.5 million the second, following the pattern of front-loading free agents’ contracts in case of a lockout after the 2011-12 season.

Gagne, 31, scored 17 goals and 40 points and was -12 defensively in 63 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. Before that, he played 10 seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, peaking at 47 goals and 79 points in the 2005-06 season.

One of his Philadelphia teammates was Mike Richards, who was acquired by the Kings last week.

Gagne joins an already large Flyers alumni club in Los Angeles, with Coach Terry Murray, assistant John Stevens, General Manager Dean Lombardi and winger Justin Williams having Philadelphia on their respective resumes.

Brad Richards turns down Kings, signs with New York Rangers

Free agent Brad Richards agreed to a contract with the New York Rangers on Saturday, turning down an offer the Kings had made during an elaborate presentation Friday at the office of his agent, Pat Morris.

A Kings spokesman confirmed that Richards was going East shortly after it was reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger.

Initial reports pegged the contract at nine years and $58.5 million, which was close to or identical to the Kings’ offer. Both offers were heavily front-loaded.

Apparently the comfort factor for Richards of returning to the East and playing for John Tortorella, who was his coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 when they won the Stanley Cup, was more important than other factors. The Kings tried to persuade him they would be a good fit strategically, were Cup contenders and offered a desirable lifestyle. They assembled a videotape pitch that included recruiting appeals from Wayne Gretzky and Kobe Bryant, among others, but in the end couldn't overcome geography or Richards' familiarity with Tortorella.

The Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs were also believed to be among the final few teams that Richards considered overnight before choosing the Rangers. Calgary reportedly offered him more than $60 million and included a personal call from Jarome Iginla to Richards in its pitch.

Center Michal Handzus leaves Kings for San Jose Sharks

Still waiting for word on where the Kings stand in their pursuit of Brad Richards. The sides are still talking but no decision yet.

However, one team is out: the St. Petersburg (FL) Times reports the Tampa Bay Lightning got word Richards won’t be returning there, mostly for financial reasons.

In the meantime, the Kings have lost center Michal Handzus to the San Jose Sharks for a two-year contract worth $2.5 million per year. He had 12 goals and 30 points in 82 games last season and was a stalwart defensively, on faceoffs and on the penalty-killing unit, deservedly winning fans with his perseverance and work ethic.

But the Kings, who have depth at center following last week’s acquisition of Mike Richards and need more speed, felt they could promise him only limited minutes next season. The 34-year-old Slovakian evidently thought San Jose would be a better situation.

“Michal is an extremely skilled player that has a great mix of size and competitiveness,” Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson said in a news release. “He is one of the top penalty-killing forwards in this league and has the ability to play in any situation.”

Ducks acquire Kurtis Foster in trade for Andy Sutton

While waiting to hear from the Kings on where they stand in the Brad Richards chase, here’s an update on the Ducks.

They didn't get the third- or fourth-line help they were seeking in the free-agent market, but they did trade defensemen with Edmonton, sending Andy Sutton to the Oilers for Kurtis Foster. Sutton has one year left at a salary cap hit of $2,125,000, and Foster has one year left at $1.8 million.

Sutton had four assists in 39 games with the Ducks last season. Foster, 29, had eight goals and 22 points in 74 games with the Oilers and ranked second on the team with five power-play goals and second in shots, with 182.

"He's a power-play guy with a big shot," Ducks General Manager Bob Murray said. "We wanted to change things up" on the power play.

Murray said he had looked at some free agents but was "scared away" by the long-term deals being given out. "Nothing drastic got away," he said.

He also said the pace and money spent Friday caught him off guard.

"I'm always surprised, but I shouldn't be anymore," he said. "Every year it's the same thing. Some of us just can't compete in that market."

RELATED

Kings optimistic after "all-in" presentation to Brad Richards

Kings making big push for Brad Richards

Top 10 unrestricted NHL free agents

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Kurtis Foster, right, collides with Tampa Bay forward Dana Tyrell during a 2010-11 preseason game. Credit: John Ulan / Associated Press

Kings optimistic after 'all-in' presentation to Brad Richards

The Kings' eight-man delegation had about 90 minutes to make a presentation to Brad Richards and his agent, Pat Morris, on Friday in Toronto, emerging optimistic about luring the prize free agent forward to the West Coast.

Tim Leiweke, chief executive of the Kings' parent company, AEG, led the group. He said the presentation "went well. He was very impressed. Our team did the best player presentation I have ever seen."

The Kings' pitch, members of the group said, included game video that highlighted the team's potential and where Richards would fit in, recruitment messages from celebrities such as Hollywood mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer -- an avid hockey fan -- and Lakers star Kobe Bryant, and suggestions for potential residences based on the house Richards now has.

"It was all-encompassing," said Mike Altieri, the Kings' vice president of communications. "It talked about the organization, hockey operations, lifestyle. We went all-in."

Leiweke said after the presentation that he spoke one-on-one with Richards.

"He not only asked questions, we stayed behind and talked one-on-one. He's a very good guy, and I liked him a lot," Leiweke said by phone on the way to the Toronto airport.

“He was very knowledgeable and a good-character guy.”