Kings practice report: Feeling a draft? Rob Scuderi admits hit was low. Anze Kopitar still NHL’s top scorer
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Lots of bits and pieces Tuesday out of the Kings’ practice, held at El Segundo before they boarded a plane to San Jose for Wednesday’s game against the Sharks:
--Kings spokesman Mike Altieri said reports that the annual entry draft will be conducted in Los Angeles next June are premature. He confirmed that the club had submitted a bid to host the event but said an announcement would not be forthcoming from the league until December. Red Line Report, a specialized scouting service highly regarded by NHL executives, was first to say the draft will be here.
--Defenseman Rob Scuderi, fined an undisclosed amount by the NHL for a low hit on the right knee of Columbus’ Jason Chimera on Sunday, said that after viewing a replay and NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell say the hit was too low he conceded he had been in the wrong.
‘I wish I could disagree with his judgment but it was low,’ Scuderi said. ‘I’ve had a lot of hip checks the last few years but that one wasn’t right. It was definitely in a questionable area and I have to pay my fine.
‘It’s the first time I’ve been involved in anything even remotely controversial. If anything, I’m more disappointed in myself. I’ve always played hard but I’ve always played fair and honest, so it’s not the way I want to be seen as playing in this league and, fortunately for me, Chimera wasn’t hurt any more.’
Chimera went head over heels but suffered only a bloody cut on his forehead. Scuderi said he has been trying to reach Chimera to express his regrets but hasn’t made contact yet. ‘All I can do is give him a call and try and extend the apology,’ Scuderi said. ‘It’s up to him if he wants to accept it or not. I understand if he’s mad but all I can do is offer it up.’
--Winger Justin Williams (lower-body injury) skated before his teammates but did not accompany them to San Jose. He won’t play Thursday, either, when the Kings face the Canucks at Staples Center.
Terry Murray said that when Williams is healthy he will regain his spot beside Ryan Smyth and Anze Kopitar even though Wayne Simmonds has flourished there. ‘A player never loses his position because of an injury,’ Murray said of his philosophy. He also said goaltender Jonathan Quick is scheduled to start both of the back-to-back games.
--Murray acknowledged he didn’t foresee Kopitar (10 goals, 21 points) being the NHL’s top scorer at this stage.
‘On paper, when I got the job, I’m looking at a young player who has great potential,’ Murray said. ‘Offensively he’s got great skills. He can make things happen. Did I think he’d be leading the league after [12] games? No I didn’t, quite honestly. But I’m not surprised by it.’
For more on Kopitar, check later at www.latimes.com/sports.
-- Helene Elliott