In The Crease

General managers around the NHL would love to pry 23-year-old defenseman Jere Karalahti from the Kings' organization. Currentiy starring for I.F.K. Helsinki in the Finnish league, Karalahti was drafted by Los Angeles with the 146th selection in 1993. He's a mobile blueliner with outstanding skills plus the ability to run the power play. A late bloomer, he's now the real deal....

According to many agents, the negotiating trend to watch this summer will be players asking for contracts that have no-trade and no-relocation clauses. With Atlanta and Columbus joining the league in 1999-2000 and 2000-01, respectively, a simple no-trade guarantee won't prevent a team from exposing a player in the expansion draft....

On a recent trip to Detroit, Hurricanes defense-man Paul Coffey phoned the Red Wings trainers with a special request. Coffey, a former Red Wing who has had difficulty getting skates that fit properly, asked if he could have the skates formerly used by Vladimir Konstantinov, whose career was ended by a spinal cord injury sustained in a limousine accident in June 1997. Having worn Konstantinov's skates on Jan. 21, Coffey said they felt better than any he had used in recent years....

When the Rangers visited the Lightning on Nov. 10, Wayne Gretzky (above) watched Tampa Bay practice and was impressed by the work ethic of 18-year-old Vincent Lecavalier. The No. 1 pick in last June's draft, Lecavalier stayed on the ice long after his teammates had finished working out. Upon exiting the Ice Palace, the Great One left an autographed stick for Lecavalier with an inscription that read, Have a great career. Regards, Wayne Gretzky....

If the recently blunted Sabres (3-5-3 in their last 10 games, through Sunday) hope to sharpen up, they'll have to get better play from their No. 1 defensive tandem of Richard Smehlik (-6 for the season) and Alexei Zhitnik (-11)....

Before canning Mike Keenan two weeks ago, Canucks general manager Brian Burke asked Keenan to fire one of Keenan's assistants. Keenan refused, and the assistant has remained on the staff of new coach Marc Crawford....

One agent who will be busy this summer is Don Baizley. He has three high-profile clients who will be free agents: Kariya, center Peter Forsberg of the Avalanche and wing Thee Fleury of the Flames. Baizley goes about his business in a quiet and professional manner, which is one reason he is highly respected by both players and teams.