Devils Deal Tikkanen

Esa Tikkanen, once part of the Edmonton Oilers’ dynasty, was traded for the second time in a month, sent from New Jersey to Vancouver for a draft pick.

The Canucks acquired the 30-year-old left wing for a second-round draft pick in the 1996 entry draft. The Devils had gotten Tikkanen from St. Louis on Nov. 1 for a draft pick.

Tikkanen has one goal and six assists in 20 games this season. He had only two assists in eight games with the Devils.

Jerry Colangelo, the man already deeply immersed in pro basketball and baseball, may be adding hockey to his list of teams.

The Arizona Republic reported that Colangelo, president of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and managing partner in major league baseball’s expansion Arizona Diamondbacks, told the newspaper that he is involved in “serious discussions” about placing an NHL team in Phoenix.

The newspaper said the most likely team to relocate in Phoenix would be the Winnipeg Jets. Colangelo declined to identify any possibilities.

Dallas Stars owner Norm Green said he is close to a deal to sell 100 percent of the NHL franchise.