News briefs: Rangers trade Nedved, G to Oilers

NEW YORK -- The Rangers traded center Petr Nedved and goalie Jussi Markkanen to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday for forward Dwight Helminen, goalie Stephen Valiquette and a second-round pick this year.

It was the second move for the Rangers in two days. On Tuesday, they sent Alex Kovalev to the Montreal Canadiens for forward prospect Josef Balej and a second-round pick this year.

A week before the March 9 trade deadline, the Rangers began the dismantling of the team that's all but eliminated from the playoff race.

Nedved has appeared in 65 games for the Rangers this season, tallying 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points, along with 42 penalty minutes.

Markkanen has played in 26 games with New York this season, posting a mark of 8-12-1, along with a 2.56 goals-against average.

Helminen was Edmonton's eighth-round selection in the 2002 entry draft. He has played in 32 games this season for the University of Michigan, scoring 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points. Valiquette has played in 35 games this season with Toronto of the AHL, posting a record of 14-14-5, along with a 2.59 GAA. He also appeared in one game with Edmonton this season.

Avs GM says coach won't be fired

DENVER -- Colorado Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix angrily denied a published report that coach Tony Granato will be fired and replaced by Joel Quenneville, recently dismissed by the St. Louis Blues.

Colorado, which tied Vancouver 5-5 Wednesday night, continues to lead the Northwest Division but has gone 1-5-2-1 in its last nine games.

"This man (Granato) has the best record in the history of our coaches in 10 years," Lacroix said. "Why talk about this? This didn't come from me. It shouldn't be part of any conversation."

Referring to New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks, Lacroix said, "We bought 50 plants for the guy, and we'll make sure we keep him busy for the rest of the season. The guy has nothing to do. He needs to be busy watering the plants."

Granato, who replaced Bob Hartley on Dec. 18, 2002, is 65-27-16-9 as head coach of the Avalanche.

Sharks get defenseman Marshall

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Jason Marshall from Minnesota for a fifth-round pick in the 2004 draft.

Marshall, a 10-year NHL veteran, split time between the Wild and their AHL affiliate in Houston this season. He has one goal and four assists with Minnesota.

He has played 491 career games with Minnesota, Washington and Anaheim.

Wings' Draper likely out 4 weeks

DETROIT -- Red Wings center Kris Draper is expected to be sidelined for four weeks after partially tearing his rotator cuff during practice.

Draper has a career-high 24 goals this season. He leads Detroit in plus-minus with a plus-22, and is second in the NHL with seven short-handed points (five goals, two assists).

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