KINGS NOTEBOOK: KINGS TRY TO RECTIFY COSTLY ERROR : KINGS VS. PHOENIX.

Byline: Roger Phillips

Steve Duchesne's status remained unresolved Saturday, with no conclusion to his saga likely until Tuesday's NHL trading deadline.

On that day, the Kings either will buy Duchesne out of his contract, trade him, send him to the minors or keep him on the team. The Kings waived Duchesne on Wednesday and he cleared waivers Friday.

Buying out Duchesne's contract would be costly. Last summer, they signed him as a free agent to a three-year contract worth $3.75 million a year. There also is a fourth year on the contract, at Duchesne's option, for $3.75 million. Under terms of the NHL's collective-bargaining agreement, the Kings would have to pay two-thirds of the remaining $11.25 million on the contract, or $7.5 million.

According to Duchesne's agent, Pat Brisson, Duchesne would have to agree to a buyout for the Kings to buy him out during the season. After the season, teams can buy out players without their assent. Brisson did not say whether Duchesne would agree to be bought out during the season.

If the Kings were to trade Duchesne, they undoubtedly would have to pay a large portion of Duchesne's remaining salary to get another team to take him. If the Kings were to buy out Duchesne, he could turn around and sign a new contract with another NHL team. He would have to sign by noon Tuesday, however, to be eligible to compete in this year's playoffs.

Florida, Detroit and Carolina are some of the teams that might be interested in adding him for the playoffs, either in a trade in which the Kings picked up a substantial amount of salary, or if the Kings were to buy him out.

Philadelphia reportedly had been intrigued in Duchesne, an ex-Flyer. But when asked if he'd be interested, Flyers general manager Bob Clarke told the Delaware County Daily Times: ``Not particularly. He's on waivers for a reason.''

Duchesne was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game when the Kings played Florida on Saturday night but was scheduled to travel with the team for tonight's game in Phoenix.

Loose pucks: A Kings spokesman denied a rumor that the team was considering trading defenseman Doug Bodger and winger Russ Courtnall to the Detroit Red Wings for 22-year-old Mathieu Dandenault, a speedy defenseman. . . . The Kings assigned forward Nathan LaFayette to the Long Beach Ice Dogs and activated forward Steve McKenna, who has missed most of the season with an abdominal injury.

Ferraro cross-checked: The 4-3 victory over Florida ended with the Panthers' Scott Mellanby cross-checking Kings center Ray Ferraro in the mouth. Mellanby received a match penalty from referee Denis LaRue and could face a suspension from the NHL.

``If he doesn't get suspended, it's a (bleeping) joke,'' an angry Ferraro said before storming off.

Earlier in the day, Ferraro, was named the Kings' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies ``perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.''

Previous Kings who have won the Masterton Trophy are Butch Goring (1977-78), Bob Bourne (1987-88) and Dave Taylor (1990-91).

Time: 5 p.m. at America West Arena.

TV/Radio: Channel 9; KRLA-AM (1110).

Matchups: The Kings have a 1-4 record against the Coyotes, their only victory coming in Phoenix on Dec. 28. Phoenix has struggled since posting a 17-2-2 record in the first quarter of the season. A victory by the Kings not only would aid their playoff hopes but those of the Mighty Ducks, who are chasing Phoenix for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

- Roger Phillips

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: KINGS vs. PHOENIX (See text)