Blues finally complete deal for Kings’ Gretzky> Former Maine star Tardif to play in Los Angeles

ST. LOUIS – Wayne Gretzky, the ambassador of hockey, has a new address: St. Louis.

Gretzky, who failed to win a Stanley Cup in Los Angeles, was traded to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, ending weeks of rumor and speculation about his future.

“I’m emotionally drained,” Gretzky said at a new conference in Los Angeles. “I’m disappointed to be leaving Los Angeles but I’m excited to play in St. Louis. … It’s always tough when you move. Nobody likes to make changes. Sometimes it’s just timing.”

To get the most prolific scorer in NHL history and a hockey icon whose name is synonymous with the sport, the Blues gave the Kings three young players – Craig Johnson, former University of Maine star Patrice Tardif and Roman Vopat – and their No. 1 pick in the 1997 draft.

The 35-year-old superstar said he expects to sign with the Blues in two to three weeks.

“It wasn’t a financial issue,” he said. “Finances never really were a factor.”

Gretzky can become a free agent after this season, and the Kings risked losing him without compensation if they failed to sign him. He said it “could conceivably happen” that he plays out the season with the Blues, then signs elsewhere.

“I think it’s been tough on everyone,” Gretzky said. “It’s been very unfair for all of us. I think everyone is relieved.”

Word of the trade from St. Louis came while McMaster and Kings governor Bob Sanderman were meeting into the evening at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Earlier in the day, Sanderman announced there was “no conclusion” to the negotiations with Gretzky and his agent, but the talks were to resume.

“We want to do what’s right for Wayne,” Sanderman said at the time. “At the same time, we owe it to our fans to do what’s right for the Los Angeles Kings.”

However, Gretzky has played his last game for the Kings. And now, like the NFL’s Rams before him, Gretzky is off to St. Louis and is expected in the lineup for the Blues on Thursday night in Vancouver.

“I just follow the Rams,” he said. “Wherever they go, I go.”

That initial announcement dampened anticipation in St. Louis, where the news conference was watched by reporters on a monitor and the team had a podium ready for a satellite news conference of its own.

Sanderman described the 1 1/2-hour meeting as cordial, and said he was optimistic about reaching a conclusion concerning Gretzky this week. The resolution came much sooner.

Gretzky was in the meeting while the Kings practiced for Wednesday night’s game. He and Barnett left the building before the news conference began.