THE NHL / HELENE ELLIOTT : Oiler Goalie Puts Bruins in Dither

Talks between the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins regarding holdout Oiler goaltender Curtis Joseph are beginning to resemble a soap opera.

A trade, rumored since the season began, appeared imminent last week when Joseph’s agent, Don Meehan, told a Canadian radio station, “The basis of a deal has been made.” However, the Bruins told Meehan they will “pass for now.” Joseph remains with Las Vegas of the International Hockey League, while the Bruins are making do in net with rookie Scott Bailey.

In the hottest-rumored deal, the Bruins would send Shawn McEachern, Mariusz Czerkawski, a prospect and a draft pick to Edmonton for Joseph, providing the Bruins reached agreement with Joseph on a new contract. Joseph, the starting goalie in St. Louis before running afoul of Coach-General Manager Mike Keenan, wants about $7 million over three years. The Bruins don’t want to go higher than $2 million a year, so they could be out of luck.

Boston General Manager Harry Sinden said Joseph’s demands were high but not excessive, given his credentials. Sinden’s reservations centered on giving up young players and compromising the future for the present.

“This deal more and more looks like it could be out of sight for the Bruins,” he said.

Boston instead may try to refine the technique of goalie Blaine Lacher, who has slumped since making a solid debut last season, and hope he responds. Or, if he doesn’t improve, hope Joseph will still be available later. They may also simply stick with Bailey, who has a 3-0-2 record and 2.32 goals-against average since being promoted from Providence of the American Hockey League.

That option, however, looks doubtful. When asked if Bailey will have the starting job the rest of the season, Coach Steve Kasper said, “Oh, I can’t say that.”

It’s clear the Bruins will have to do something if they are going to get far in the playoffs. The longer they wait, the higher the eventual price will be.

LUCKY STARS

There’s good news in Dallas: Forward Mike Modano is back and owner Norm Green is almost gone.

While Modano sat out because of a pulled abdominal muscle, the Stars were 1-2-1 and scored only six goals. Since returning, he has three goals in two games, both Dallas victories.

As for Green, he’s under pressure to complete the sale of the team. A group led by businessman John Spano is ready to make a final offer, and as soon as Green gets his money he can start repaying a $40.3-million loan to a Canadian bank. The bank reportedly wants its money by Thursday or will seize the team.

The NHL is eager to see this mess settled by the next meeting of the board of governors, to be held Dec. 13-14 in Florida.

Green’s debts are staggering. He also owes money to his former partners and to the NHL. The sale of the club is expected to bring him $63 million. The Quebec Nordiques were sold for $75 million last summer and the Winnipeg Jets were sold for $68 million in October.

He won’t be missed. He was brash and rude and cried over the terms of his lease at Reunion Arena from the moment he arrived in Dallas. The NHL needs owners with deeper pockets--and stronger credentials--than Green.

DON’T MESS WITH MESSIER

According to a clause in Mark Messier’s contract, the New York Rangers have until their 40th game--that’s Dec. 28--to decide whether they want to keep him next season at a salary of $6 million, or buy him out for $1 million and make him a free agent. It’s a cinch that Messier, who recently scored his 500th goal and remains a force to be reckoned with, will be back.

“It’s just a legal thing,” Ranger General Manager Neil Smith said of the clause. “It’s just a matter of notifying him on that date that we’re interested in taking our option. It will probably be done with a letter.”

Smith said the clause was written to protect the Rangers in case Messier, who turns 35 in January, suddenly began to show his age.

“I always thought he could play that many years and more if he wanted,” Smith said. “He hasn’t slowed down at all.”

NICE WORK, IF YOU CAN GET IT

The New York Islanders have been paying center Kirk Muller to stay away, but they told him Sunday they want him to return to New York to work out if they haven’t traded him by the end of the week.

Muller has been training in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. The Islanders say they want to supervise his workouts so they can tell prospective trading partners that he’s in shape.

They have been unable to trade him since they pulled him from the lineup two weeks ago because they have been asking for a front-line center and a high draft pick. Other general managers consider that too high a price for Muller, who is 29 and has said he would prefer to play for a contender and not a team that’s rebuilding.

TIKKED OFF

Esa Tikkanen’s delay in reporting to the Vancouver Canucks stemmed from his demand for a new contract.

Tikkanen is due to earn more than $800,000 this season. The Canucks, whose payroll already exceeds $20 million, are reluctant to take on another big salary because what they have spent has brought them only a 6-11-6 record.

It’s debatable how much he will help. The Canucks, 1-7-1 since losing Pavel Bure to a knee injury, have yet to win consecutive games this season. Coach Rick Ley preaches the virtues of team defense but the Canucks persist in playing what he considers selfish hockey. If they keep it up, it could cost him his job.

GETTING BUFFALOED

The Islanders and Canucks asked the Buffalo Sabres whether center Pat LaFontaine were available, and they weren’t told no.

The Canucks were looking for a play-making center even before Bure was injured, and LaFontaine was the set-up man for Alexander Mogilny when Mogilny scored 76 goals for the Sabres in 1992-93.

Although the Sabres wouldn’t mind shedding LaFontaine’s $4.3-million payout in salary and bonuses, they have decided to hold onto goaltender Dominik Hasek. He can earn $4 million this season, including bonuses.

SLAP SHOTS

The Detroit Red Wings, on an 8-1 roll, considered Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Rangers a sign they have hit full stride. “The way we played was the closest to how we played last year,” Steve Yzerman said. “We’ve showed ourselves that we belong among the top teams.” . . . A key to Rick Bowness’ firing as Ottawa’s coach was his plan to bench Alexandre Daigle. General Manager Randy Sexton, eager to justify his $12.5-million investment in Daigle, wanted Daigle in the lineup despite his poor production.

Bruin left wing Kevin Stevens, who underwent extensive reconstructive surgery on his face in 1993, has been suffering headaches but skipped a CAT scan that might have determined if the problem was related to his old injury. He has only six goals. . . . Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Chris Chelios has a 14-game point-scoring streak. . . . Jim Carey, the Washington goalie, was scheduled to meet Jim Carrey, the actor, this week during the Capitals’ trip to Southern California but the meeting fell through.

Vancouver Canuck captain Trevor Linden’s wife was threatened in a letter and his house was broken into while the team was on the road. Police caught the intruder, who claimed to be a fan who went to Linden’s house on a dare after drinking with friends. . . . The Calgary Flames and Rangers talked about holdout center Joe Nieuwendyk. The Flames wanted winger Ray Ferraro or Niklas Sundstrom but the Rangers don’t want to give up Sundstrom. Nieuwendyk’s rights may be traded to Tampa Bay for Chris Gratton or Washington for Joe Juneau, who, incidentally, has scored no goals since he got one in the season opener Oct. 7.