"Ryan Smyth may well tug on an Edmonton Oilers' jersey when he's a free agent next summer because his heart has never left here, but he said, laughing, at the raging rumour that he wants out of Los Angeles now.

"Holy Cow ... I have no idea where that's coming from. I have not asked for a trade," said the Kings left-winger, responding to a TSN story by Bob McKenzie citing sources that the 35-year-old Smyth had asked to see if something could be worked out so he could rejoin his old club for the upcoming season.

The Los Angeles Times reported, however, that a person with knowledge of the situation said Smyth had his agent, Don Meehan, sound out the Kings about moving back to the Oilers, citing family interests and a fondness for playing in Edmonton.

Los Angeles general manager Dean Lombardi confirmed to the Times he had spoken to Smyth, but wouldn't divulge the content of the talk.

Smyth, who has one year left at a $4.5-million salary and a $6.25-million salary-cap hit to the Kings, scored 549 points (seventh all-time with the Oilers) in 770 games before he was traded to the New York Islanders in 2007 for Robert Nilsson, Ryan O'Marra and a first-round draft pick (defenceman Alex Plante) in a salary dispute.

He has spent the last two seasons with the Kings after they traded for Smyth in 2009, giving up defenceman Kyle Quincey, blue-liner Tom Preissing (since bought out) and a fifth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche. He had signed in Colorado after about 15 minutes on Long Island.

When asked if he wanted to sign with the Oilers when his Kings' contract is over, Smyth said he would "cross that bridge later." What else can he say? He plays for the Kings, likes their team, had 47 points last season and plays in the top six in Los Angeles."