 They were forced to trade many of their stronger players, and the middling results led to Gretzky demanding a trade to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.He would be dealt to the St. Louis Blues in 1996.On October 6, 1995, one day before the 1995–96 season opener, a bankruptcy court approved the purchase of the Kings by Phillip Anschutz and Edward P. Roski for $113.5 million.