Kings Show Ferraro the Free-Agent Door

Veteran center Ray Ferraro, winger Russ Courtnall and defensemen Doug Bodger and Dave Babych were not offered contracts by the Kings by the Wednesday deadline and will become free agents today, as will younger defenseman Mark Visheau and goalies Manny Legace and Ryan Bach, who shuttled between the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Kings last season.

Ferraro, Courtnall, Bodger and Babych were victims of an accent on youth.

They will be joined by five Group II free agents, whose rights could have been retained by offering a 10% raise. Although those names won’t be released until today, they are expected to include winger Sandy Moger.

More changes could become apparent next week when new Coach Andy Murray interviews prospective assistant coaches. Among those under consideration is Mark Hardy, an assistant with the Ice Dogs last season and holder of the King scoring record for defensemen that was eclipsed by Rob Blake last season.