THE NHL / HELENE ELLIOTT : Taylor More Than Jersey in Rafters

The retired jerseys of Rogie Vachon and Marcel Dionne looked lonely in the Forum rafters near those of retired Lakers Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain.

Now, at least, it’s three Kings against a full house. Vachon and Dionne got some company Monday--and good company it is--with the retirement of Dave Taylor’s No. 18.

Never a 50-goal scorer but always diligent, Taylor was a constant presence in an ever-changing cast. With Dionne at center and Charlie Simmer on the left wing, Taylor made the Triple Crown Line a potent offensive threat. He did his job quietly, efficiently and with class.

If he can bring those qualities to his job as an assistant to General Manager Sam McMaster, the Kings will benefit immensely. They must improve their product and their image, and Taylor should help in both areas. His knowledge of current players is a plus, and his popularity with fans can temper the public relations beating the club has absorbed because of its on-ice struggles, the unpopular Alex Zhitnik trade and the financial problems of former majority owner Bruce McNall.

As for the Lakers’ domination of the Forum’s wall of fame, the Kings will narrow the gap even further in a few years with Wayne Gretzky’s 99. Perhaps--let us dream--that ceremony will take place in a new arena. But even if the Kings retire the jerseys of everyone who ever scored a power-play goal for them, they won’t match the Lakers in the most important category: league championships.

Since moving to Los Angeles, the Lakers have won six NBA titles. The Kings have never won the Stanley Cup, although they were close enough in 1993 to touch it with Marty McSorley’s illegal stick. They missed the playoffs last season and are fighting for a playoff spot this season amid their annual front-office follies and a failed attempt to make a coaching change.

Taylor’s ability to evaluate talent won’t make the difference alone. But by adding him to their management team, the Kings are honoring their past and building for the future with a touch of dignity. Short of getting Zhitnik back, it’s the best thing that could happen to them this season.

JOHNNY ON THE SPOT

Goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck gave the Florida Panthers instant respectability last season and almost got them into the playoffs. But as Friday’s trading deadline nears, there are rumors that they will deal him.

The Panthers are motivated by their need for a proven scorer and by finances. Vanbiesbrouck, in the last year of a contract that pays $950,000, wants a hefty raise. Mark Fitzpatrick earns “only” $525,000. But Vanbiesbrouck, their biggest star, has them in a playoff spot. Although they might save money by trading him, they could lose more in the end if they drop out of the top eight in the East.

TALK ISN’T ALWAYS CHEAP

Other rumors: Center Dale Hawerchuk of the Buffalo Sabres to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Steve Duchesne. Or Hawerchuk and Yuri Khmylev to the Vancouver Canucks for Greg Adams and Jyrki Lumme. Or Hawerchuk--expendable since Pat LaFontaine came back from knee surgery--and Brad May to the New Jersey Devils for Claude Lemieux and Ken Daneyko.

The New York Rangers, Devils, Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in Calgary center Joel Otto. They’d use Otto, who usually plays against opponents’ top centers, to lean on Eric Lindros when they meet the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flames may also send Robert Reichel and Phil Housley to the Montreal Canadiens for Kirk Muller and Mathieu Schneider, and the Penguins are looking for a left-shooting defenseman.

Also, the Dallas Stars are taking offers for right wing Russ Courtnall because they don’t want to meet his $1.5-million price.

YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN TROUBLE . . .

. . . When you get that dreaded vote of confidence from your general manager.

The Rangers’ Neil Smith last week gave that assurance to Coach Colin Campbell, who has been criticized for not motivating the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Rangers, 1-8 since March 11, are currently out of a playoff spot.

Smith, however, said Campbell has done “a really good job” and blamed the team’s woes on slumps plaguing Brian Leetch, Steve Larmer, Stephane Matteau and Mark Messier, whose hand has been so sore he can’t take faceoffs.

Translation: Campbell will finish the season, but he might not make it through the summer if the Rangers miss the playoffs.

JET-PROPELLED

Center Alexei Zhamnov is third in league scoring. Keith Tkachuk is a model power forward. Teemu Selanne scored 76 goals two years ago. With all that skill, how can Winnipeg be last in the West at 9-19-6?

“There’s a huge gap between the top guys and the other guys,” said John Paddock, the Jets’ coach and general manager. “There’s talent and then there’s some players who haven’t played up to par. You don’t necessarily win with three stars. You’ve got to have better team play.”

Paddock separated Zhamnov from Tkachuk and Selanne three games ago and put him between Igor Korolev and Dallas Drake. Zhamnov adjusted without a problem, scoring five goals against the Kings Saturday night. “I know (Korolev) very well because we play on the same line in juniors, with (Moscow) Dynamo,” Zhamnov said. “Drake is a great player too. It is better for the team to have two good lines. I think it is good this way.”

SLAP SHOTS

The Chicago Blackhawks were a top Cup contender until Jeremy Roenick tore a knee ligament Sunday when hit by the Stars’ Derian Hatcher--an incident the league is reviewing. Bernie Nicholls becomes their top center, but can Brent Sutter step up to No. 2? They also lost defenseman Cam Russell because of a broken hand. . . . Bob Probert remains in a Van Nuys rehabilitation center, where he’s undergoing treatment for substance abuse. His doctor recently updated Blackhawk executives and players on his progress but didn’t say he’s ready to return. An NHL spokesman said Chicago hasn’t requested his reinstatement. . . . The Olympic Saddledome in Calgary will undergo an $18-million renovation before next season. Start saving now: New club seats will cost $69 (Canadian) per game, plus a $300 annual club membership, a $3,100 seat license fee and parking.