Gretzky Trade Talk Heats Up Kings Deny Reports That Star Forward Will Be Traded To The Blues Tuesday

Another flurry of Wayne Gretzky trade rumors were swirling Sunday, and they were met with more stern denials by the Kings.

The Toronto Sun reported the Kings were on the verge of trading Gretzky to the St. Louis Blues while ESPN’s Al Morganti said the players involved in a deal between the teams had been agreed upon but that a contract extension with the superstar and marketing rights still had to be worked out.

Morganti said the Kings would receive three young forwards - Roman Vopat, Patrice Tardif and Craig Johnson - and a 1997 first-round pick, and were hoping to hold a news conference Tuesday announcing the trade. Gretzky’s first game with the Blues would be Thursday at Vancouver, Morganti said.

“There is no deal in place and no deal is imminent,” Kings spokesman Rick Minch said Sunday. “The source of all this rumor spreading is totally irresponsible. … Wayne Gretzky will be playing for the Kings (tonight).”

Kings general manager Sam McMaster was in Edmonton with the team on Sunday and was not taking phone calls in his hotel room. After the Kings played in St. Louis on Saturday, McMaster told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he had spoken with Blues coach and general manager Mike Keenan.

The Kings previously have discussed with St. Louis a trade of Gretzky but did not like the players the Blues were offering, a source told the Daily News.

In what might be a sign that nothing is imminent, Gretzky accompanied the Kings on their charter flight from St. Louis to Winnipeg on Sunday. He did not attend an optional team workout on stationary bikes, but it’s not unusual for him to miss such activities.