No one knows that better than Sather, who signed both Messier and Gretzky to their first National Hockey League contracts in Edmonton.

The Rangers were not being the least nostalgic or sentimental when they signed Gretzky last summer.

The Rangers supposedly signed Gretzky so he could finish his career alongside Messier.

For a number of reasons - the money it would have taken to sign Gretzky after this season quite likely being the primary one - that plug has been pulled for now.

Will the Rangers try to sign Gretzky, a friend and former Edmonton teammate of their captain, Mark Messier?

Lou Lamoriello, general manager of the Devils, was more blunt than Smith when asked if he would try to sign Gretzky.

For the moment, Smith seems happy with the return on what some saw as a $10 million gamble when he signed Gretzky to a two-year pact.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers (who eventually signed him) were reported to have expressed interest in signing Gretzky, but New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters that Gretzky didn't fit with the team's financial plan.

Last night, the Kings said they intend to sign Gretzky to a contract extension and end speculation that the superstar may be traded.

But Smith indicated that signing Gretzky would not necessarily take playing time from prospects as much as it might from other veterans.