LOS ANGELES KINGS
Training camp is a time of boundless optimism, unless it's the L.A. training camp: Jason Allison leaves the first practice early, feeling "light-headed;” Adam Deadmarsh complains of dizzyness a few days later; Jaroslav Modry nurses a surgically repaired shoulder. All of which means more ice time for promising Kings of the future, until Jared Aulin seperates a shoulder and Mike Cammalerri sprains a knee.
It’s a new season, but the Kings are still waiting for new luck. Mowed down by injuries in 2002-03, they fell from the playoffs for the first time in four years. How do you climb back when busted heads and wonky knees litter the locker room?
Zigmund Palffy remains intact, and fans don't want to ponder where this team would be without him. Ziggy piled up more points than his two closest team mates combined last year. The turnover in forwards since March should result in a few more goals from the rest of the pack, especially if Luc Robitaille has enough left to play on the second line.
But they badly need the concussion twins. Allison (whose recent ailments are listed as knee, hip, groin, hip flexor, neck, and concussion) can pass and shoot as well as any center in the West. Deadmarsh (two concussions) is a Shanahan knock-off, a bull with good hands. Allison’s comeback appears the safer bet. Deadmarsh hasn’t played since December, and if he’s getting dizzy in practice, what happens the first time he meets Derian Hatcher in the corner?
If most of the players avoid the infirmary most of the time, L.A. might be among the top five in the conference. They’re usually strong on defense, and Roman Cechmanek is an upgrade in net (at least until the playoffs). Andy Murray coaches as well as anyone in the NHL, so the Kings are always prepared, even if they can’t recognize their team mates from night to night.
Trouble: Penalty killing and power plays, which used to be Los Angeles specialties, took a nose dive last year. Was it just the injuries?
On the Spot: Lacking regular or reliable linemates, Palffy was the Kings' undisputed hero last season. He might have to do it again.
The Forecast: With a little good health, this team is at least as strong as the one that had 95 points two years ago.
The Call: 6th in the Western Conference.
Who's in:
Goaltender Roman Cechmanek (trade from Philadelphia)
Goaltender Mathieu Chouinard (free agent from Ottawa)
Goaltender Milan Hnilicka (trade from Atlanta)
Defenseman Bryan Muir (free agent from Colorado)
Center Jozef Stumpel (trade from Boston)
Left winger Luc Robitaille (free agent from Detroit)
Right winger Trent Klatt (free agent from Vancouver)
Who’s Out:
Goaltender Felix Potvin (free agent to Boston)
Goaltender Jamie Storr (unsigned free agent)
Left winger Erik Rasmussen (free agent from New Jersey)
Forward Steve Heinze (contract buyout)
Forward Craig Johnson (free agent to Anaheim)
Left winger Ken Belanger (unsigned free agent)
Left winger Mikko Eloranta (unsigned free agent)
2002-03 Regular Season Numbers:
Payroll:
$43,317,434, 14th overall
(Hockey News, November 15/02. Bonuses not included.)
- Record: 33-37-6-6 for 78 points.
- At home: 19-19-2-1.
- On the road: 14-18-4-5.
- Finish: Tied for 18th overall, 10th in the Western Conference, 3rd in Pacific Division.
- Goals for: 203 (2.48 per game), 23rd overall.
- Goals against: 221 (2.70 per game), 15th overall.
- Goal differential: Minus-18, 17th overall.
- Power play: 14.6 percent, 18th overall.
- Penalty kill: 83.3 percent, tied for 15th overall.
Goaltending:
- Felix Potvin, 42-17-20-3, 2.66 GAA, .894 SV PCT, 3 SO.
- Jamie Storr, 39-12-19-2, 2.55 GAA, .905 SV PCT, 3 SO.
- Cristobal Huet, 12-4-4-1, 2.33 GAA, .913 SV PCT, 1 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Right winger Zigmund Palffy, 76-37-48-85.
- Power play points: Zigmund Palffy, 76-10-17-27.
- Game-winning goals: Zigmund Palffy, 5.
- Ice time: Defenseman Jaroslav Modry, 22:38 per game.
- Plus/minus: Zigmund Palffy, plus-22.
