Kings won't go shopping in big-name market

No one can say that Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi isn't sticking with his long-term vision -- even if it means more of the same in the short term for the team.

Despite having loads of money to spend under the NHL's $56.7-million salary cap as a result of two cost-cutting trades, Lombardi said he isn't going to repeat last year's attempt to buy a winner through free agency as the annual shopping spree opens today.

Call it a lesson learned. It was a year ago when he struck out on the first-tier free agents and wound up with Brad Stuart, Ladislav Nagy, Michal Handzus, Kyle Calder and Tom Preissing. The Kings still wound up as the worst team in the Western Conference.

No Plan B this time. It's now Plan R -- as in rebuild.

"This plan has never deviated," Lombardi said Monday. "We've never traded a draft pick. We've never traded a young player since I've been here. We're going to continue on that path."

Players such as Marian Hossa, Brian Campbell, Mats Sundin and Wade Redden are expected to be on the market and available to the highest bidders today but don't expect the Kings or Ducks to have a major part in the buying.

Both teams are putting their focus on retaining players. The Ducks are intent on re-signing Corey Perry, their leading goal scorer last season, and talks between David McNab, the club's assistant general manager, and Perry's representatives, Mark Guy and Pat Morris, are going well.

Perry is expected to command at least $4.5 million in a multiyear deal. "Nabber has been working toward a deal," General Manager Brian Burke said.

The Ducks still want to shed more payroll and are expected to shop defenseman Mathieu Schneider, who is to make $5.75 million next season. If they do dip into the free-agent pool, they'll target a second-line center at a reasonable price.

Vancouver's Brendan Morrison could fit that bill but could still be out of the Ducks' range. The Ducks also are still awaiting word from Teemu Selanne on whether he'll return for a 16th NHL season.

Meanwhile, the Kings are letting players such as Nagy and Calder walk, but want to keep defenseman Rob Blake, albeit at less than the $6 million he made last season.

Lombardi effectively put the ball in Blake's court when he said during a conference call with reporters that he wants the 38-year-old to go along with the rebuilding plan.