Kings sending Brayden Schenn back to junior team

The Kings will return rookie center Brayden Schenn to his junior team on Friday, a club spokesman said Thursday afternoon.

Schenn, the club’s first-round pick and fifth overall in 2009, started the season with the Kings and played eight games but then was held out of the lineup long enough to develop rust. The Kings got approval from the NHL to loan him to their Manchester farm team in the American Hockey League for two weeks, and he rejoined the team on Monday.

But the 19-year-old rookie was unable to regain a regular spot in their lineup. Coach Terry Murray had often cited Schenn's defensive deficiencies, saying they are part of a young player's growth process but too costly for the Kings to keep him in their lineup. Schenn is projected to be a scorer and second-line center but had gotten mostly fourth-line duty this season.

Recognizing that he wouldn’t gain anything by sitting and watching games here, the Kings finally decided to return him to Brandon of the Western Hockey League. If he had played 10 games, the first year of his pro contract would have kicked in. Sending him back now prevents that from happening.

The Kings’ reticence to play him had fueled rumors that they were preparing to trade him. After he practiced with the team Thursday in El Segundo, Murray tried to halt those rumors.

“He’s going to be part of our organization for a long time. This is a good young player and he’s got a very nice up side to his game,” Murray said. “Rumors are rumors, I guess. I would never agree to making a trade for Brayden Schenn. This is a high draft pick, a great kid and again has nice potential, up side to his game. We’re looking for him to be part of the L.A. Kings for a long time.”

Murray said he didn’t see a chance for Schenn to return to the Kings’ lineup because of Alexei Ponikarovsky’s imminent recovery from a broken finger -- Ponikarovsky was injured Nov. 6 and might return within the week -- and because he didn’t want Schenn to feel pressure to rescue the Kings from their slump. They have lost seven of eight games and have scored only four goals in losing their last four games in a row. They play the Florida Panthers on Thursday at Staples Center.

“I’m not going to put him into a situation where he, as a young player, might feel a lot of responsibility to go out there and try to get things turned around,” Murray said. “I don’t think that’s a fair thing.”

Sending Schenn back to juniors would make him available to play in the World Junior Championships, which begin later this month. “My candid opinion would be sure, that would be a great thing to be able to go play for Canada in the world juniors like that,” Murray said. “It’s great competition and valuable experience.”

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott

 

Kings closing in on deal for Marco Sturm

 

Desperate for offense, the Kings have closed in on a trade for Boston left wing Marco Sturm, who has yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery during the offseason. The cost will be a draft pick that would be conditional on how well Sturm performs or meets certain standards.

Sturm, who is in the final year of a four-year, $14-million contract, agreed to waive his no-trade clause, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN. However, it's likely the Kings will want Sturm to pass a physical before the deal is completed, because of his knee problems.

He tore ligaments in his left knee in the 2008-09 season and injured his right knee during the second round of the playoffs last spring.

The German-born winger began his career with San Jose and was drafted by then-General Manager Dean Lombardi, who is now the Kings' general manager. He has yet to play this season but resumed practicing this week.

We'll have more as this develops.

-- Helene Elliott

 Photo: The Ducks' Matt Cullen, left, and San Jose's Marco battle for the puck. Credit: Kim D. Johnson / Associated Press.

Notes from the Kings' and Ducks' morning skates

The Kings and Ducks usually seem to be going in opposite directions. When one is playing well, the other is lagging — and they have yet to make the playoffs in the same season.

But Monday’s first meeting of the season catches them at a time when each is slumping. Both had six-game winning streaks and then fell into a stretch of losing six out of seven. Those slides dumped both out of the top eight in the West, with the Kings ranked ninth and the Ducks 11th before Monday’s game at the Honda Center.

Only one point separated them — the Kings had 26 to the Ducks’ 25 — but the Ducks had played three more games. The Ducks were only seven points behind the West-leading Detroit Red Wings.

“It’s weird,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said of the teams’ turnarounds. “When you play in a league and a conference like we do, everybody is so tight, and it’s that one bounce here or there. If you’re not willing to work for that extra step every night, you’re going to lose it.

“We went through a stretch where the bounces were going our way. Everything was going our way. And you can’t win like that forever, but you need to more consistently win a couple and maybe lose one, but you can’t go on those streaks like we did.”

For the Ducks, right wing Teemu Selanne is expected to return after missing three games because of a groin strain. However, defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky — one of four ex-Kings now on the Ducks’ roster, along with Andreas Lilja, Jason Blake and George Parros — said he’s not sure if he can play. “I’m 50-50. We will see,” he said after the Ducks’ morning skate.

The Kings had a new/old face at their morning skate. Forward John Zeiler, who cleared recall waivers at 9 a.m. and was officially recalled from Ontario of the ECHL, was centering for Brad Richardson and a broken-beaked Kevin Westgarth. Zeiler is expected to play Monday, and Dwight King — completing a rapid descent from first line to fourth line to left out — won’t be in uniform.

Coach Terry Murray said the other lines will remain the same, including a second game for Dustin Brown on the left wing with Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds on the top line. The defense pairs — Jack Johnson-Rob Scuderi, Alec Martinez-Drew Doughty, and Davis Drewiske-Matt Greene — will remain the same, with Peter Harrold not in uniform.

Murray said he saw Zeiler play center at Manchester of the American Hockey League late last season and knew Zeiler had still been there this season. “He feels pretty comfortable there," Murray said, "so that’s the look I’ll give him tonight.”

Zeiler played 22 games for Manchester this season and had five assists and 46 penalty minutes. So he’s not going to increase the team’s quotient of pure skill.

His instructions, he said, were straightforward.

“Just play the same way I’ve always played, keep it simple, get pucks deep, just play the body, finishing every check,” he said. “Logging some play down low in their defensive zone. Tire teams out. Just play solid. Keep it simple, make the smart play, just bring some energy to the team.”

Zeiler, 28, said being cut so late in camp was “bittersweet, obviously. You felt like you had a great camp. I felt like I could have been one of the guys that stayed, but that’s just the way the game goes. It’s a business, and it didn’t stop me from going down to Manchester and just working hard. There’s always someone watching you play.”

One other note: Brayden Schenn’s two-week conditioning assignment to Manchester has ended, and he was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Monday and join the team for practice Tuesday. He had three goals and seven points in seven games with the Monarchs.

Schenn has played eight games with the Kings this season and can play one more before the first year of his pro contract would kick in. Murray said he will sit with General Manager Dean Lombardi and assistant GM Ron Hextall to determine whether they’ll keep the 19-year-old center or return him to his Western Hockey League junior team.

But even though the Kings are struggling offensively, Murray said he won’t consider using Schenn at left wing on the top line, a spot that has been filled by seven players so far this season.  

“I’ve never seen him play other than in the middle,” Murray said. “I’ve seen him at a couple of training camps only in the middle of the ice and a couple of games this year. That’s where he was drafted. He’s a high draft pick playing as a center iceman. He was one of the leading scorers in the WHL as a center iceman and a key guy going into the Memorial Cup, so I can’t visualize him playing out of position right now.”

More from me and baseball-writer-turned-hockey-scribe Mike DiGiovanna later at latimes.com/sports.

-- Helene Elliott

Westgarth has broken nose, Schenn returning to L.A., and other notes...

The morning after their 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Kings practiced for about an hour Sunday at El Segundo.

Enforcer Kevin Westgarth, pummeled by Chicago's John Scott in a fight Saturday (pictured above), wore a shield to protect his broken nose during practice but won't wear it in Monday's game against the Ducks at Anaheim. Surprisingly, he said he hadn't broken the nose before.

"I think for realsies that was the first one," he said. "It's nice and flat anyway. So I'm sure it's been broken and I never really noticed."

Westgarth and Ducks enforcer George Parros, both Princeton alumni, tangled during an exhibition game and it wouldn't be a shock if a rematch should happen to break out.

"Big Georgie," said Westgarth, who went out to dinner with Parros the night after their tussle. "That's absolutely right."

Some news off the ice: center Brayden Schenn, loaned to Manchester of the American Hockey League for a two-week conditioning assignment, is scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles on Monday and practice with the team on Tuesday. After that he can play one more game before the first year of his contract would kick in.

Winger Alexei Ponikarovsky, who fractured his finger on Nov. 6, is scheduled to undergo X-rays on Monday to determine the progress of the healing process. Defenseman Willie Mitchell, who fractured his left hand the same day, is due for X-rays a week from Monday. Both skated lightly on Sunday.

The Kings will know by 9 a.m. Monday if forward John Zeiler has cleared recall waivers. If he has, he might play Monday night, Coach Terry Murray said.

Murray also said that goaltender Jonathan Quick will start against the Ducks.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports 

--Helene Elliott

Photo credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Kings prospect Brayden Schenn progressing in Manchester

Center Brayden Schenn, loaned to Manchester of the American Hockey League last Wednesday for a two-week conditioning assignment, is doing well with the Monarchs and will remain with them for the full 14 days, Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said Wednesday.

Schenn started the season with the Kings and played in their first four games, but his role was gradually reduced as Coach Terry Murray saw his shortcomings on defense. Overall he played in eight games but was scratched for five straight games before the NHL allowed the Kings to loan him to the Monarchs without affecting his contract status. If he plays 10 games, the first year of his contract will go into effect.

Lombardi said the word he has received is that Schenn is making strides on defense. Schenn has two assists in three games and a zero plus/minus rating.

“First off was getting him in skating shape,” Lombardi said. “That’s going to take care of itself by just playing. Then the other part of his game we were really looking at was defensively....

“He really struggled in his own end when you look at it, and that’s critical if you’re going to play here. He had a real tendency to just follow the puck versus understanding the time and space. There's three things a player's got to do: he's got to read it, and he's got to understand it and then he’s got to compete.”

Kings' morning skate: Martinez in, Westgarth out, Harrold moves to right wing

Greetings from Montreal, always a wonderful place to visit and too rarely on the Kings' itinerary.

The Canadiens held their morning skate Wednesday at their practice facility but the Kings skated at the Bell Centre and offered a preview of a few shifts in their lineup for Wednesday night’s game.

Defenseman Alec Martinez, recalled from Manchester of the American Hockey League, will play and will be paired with Drew Doughty. That will put a struggling Jack Johnson back with Rob Scuderi and leave a third pair of Davis Drewiske and Matt Greene. Peter Harrold, the equivalent of a baseball utility infielder, will move up from defense to the right wing on the fourth line, with Brad Richardson and Trevor Lewis. Kevin Westgarth will sit out.

"I want to keep Harry going," Coach Terry Murray said of Harrold. "He’s a guy that brings a lot of energy and he’s made the adjustment very easily in the past, been a pretty good right winger when we played him there, so he’ll get that look tonight.

"Martinez, well we called him up for a reason. He’s the top scorer with Manchester in the AHL, playing well on the power play, shooting the puck, getting some results on the power play, and certainly that’s what we need, to get that part of the game going on a consistent basis and hopefully he can be a catalyst to help get that turned around tonight."

Murray said he paired Martinez with Doughty "to give a young guy called up a good player to play with. I think they both have great hockey awareness. They’re going to move the puck. They’re going to support each other. And I hope if anything pops up Doughty is able to help him in tough situations."

The changes also put Scuderi, Doughty’s previous partner, with Johnson and reunited a pair that

Weight lifted for Doughty, Kopitar; Brown misses practice

Drew Doughty knew he would score a goal sometime. But after a Norris trophy-runner-up performance last season and heightened expectations for him and for the Kings this season, his inability to score was weighing on his mind.

That burden was lifted Saturday, when he scored the fifth goal in the Kings’ 5-1 victory over the New York Islanders. That extended their winning streak to six and set a club record by starting the season 8-0-0 at home.

“It was huge to finally get that goal,” Doughty said after a brief practice Sunday and before the team’s flight to San Jose for Monday’s game against the Sharks.

“I know I’m expected to put up some points and to finally be able to do that builds my confidence back up again, and hopefully they keep coming.”

Anze Kopitar scored twice, his first multi-goal game of the season, as the Kings improved to 12-3. Their 12 wins and 24 points through 15 games are the most in club history.

Kopitar, who led the Kings last season with 34 goals, acknowledged he was concerned about his low goal total but was consoled by his steady number of assists and the team’s success as a whole.

“It’s really the team effort and the team that’s doing well,” said Kopitar, who has six goals and 16 points. “That’s enough for me. We just want to keep the same thing going.”

Team captain Dustin Brown was permitted to miss Sunday’s practice for personal reasons but rejoined the team in time for the flight to San Jose. Brayden Schenn took Brown's spot in practice alongside Kopitar and Scott Parse.

"A little change," said Schenn, who has been scratched for the past four games. "I'm sure it was just a one-day thing but it was a change and a little excitement, I guess."

Schenn can play one more game before his pro contract kicks in, and the Kings seem content to continue to carry him as a spare forward for now.

Kings Coach Terry Murray said goaltender Jonathan Bernier will start on Monday and that Bernier and Jonathan Quick will see action as the schedule intensifies with a home game on Wednesday and a trip to Buffalo, Boston, Ottawa and Montreal.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

Helene Elliott

 

Schenn to sit again while Kings debate his future

 

Kings Coach Terry Murray said no decision has been made on the short-term future of rookie center Brayden Schenn, who is scheduled to be scratched from the lineup for the third straight game when the Kings face the Dallas Stars Thursday at Staples Center.

But it seems unlikely that Schenn will return to the lineup anytime soon.

He has played eight games, and the first year of his pro contract would kick in if he plays 10 games. If the Kings determine he’d be better off playing regularly somewhere else, their options are limited. Because he’s only 19 he can’t play in the American Hockey League and could only be returned to his junior team, Brandon of the Western Hockey League.

Murray said Wednesday that returning Schenn to the junior ranks might make sense, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Asked if Schenn might play Saturday or sometime after that, Murray was noncommittal.

“I can’t rule anything out on that one. He’s the only healthy forward that we have here right now so you go through the games and stuff happens, then he’s in,” Murray said after the Kings’ morning skate in El Segundo.

“Until we decided anything different he’s part of the team right now. We discussed things and talked [Wednesday] but we didn’t arrive at any firm decision. So that would be the scenario. There’s a possibility he could play. He could still get that one game in before we have to make a firm decision on it anyways, so we’ll wait and see how it plays out tonight.”

Schenn’s contract contains many bonuses he now can’t attain or would be unlikely to attain if he reaches that 10-game mark and stays with the Kings this season. So that would reduce his cap hit considerably below the $3.14 million listed as his cap hit on such websites as Capgeek.com and Nhlscap.com.

Left wing Kyle Clifford, also 19, has been slotted onto the fourth line Thursday with Trevor Lewis and Kevin Westgarth. This will be Clifford’s 10th game, which will activate his contract. He has had an easier time winning a spot because his game is based more on muscle and energy than Schenn’s game, which is built around skill. Schenn is projected to be a second-line center someday but he’s not ready for that role yet with Anze Kopitar and a reinvigorated Jarret Stoll being productive and playing solid two-way games at center on the top two lines.

Incidentally, goaltender Jonathan Quick has been designated the starter against Dallas on Thursday night and might start Saturday too against the New York Islanders.

More later, including a chat with Brad Richardson about filling in for the injured Alexei Ponikarovsky on the third line with Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds.

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Brayden Schenn. Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images.

Wednesday could be decision day for Kings' Kyle Clifford, Brayden Schenn

With an important deadline approaching for the Kings to decide whether they will keep 19-year-old forwards Kyle Clifford and Brayden Schenn or return each to his respective junior team, Coach Terry Murray said Wednesday he intends to have Clifford in the lineup Thursday against Dallas at Staples Center but will sit Schenn for the third straight game.

That would be Clifford’s 10th game, which would activate the first year of his contract. After he plays 10 games the Kings could still return him to Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League, but they could not recall him this season.

Murray said he and General Manager Dean Lombardi planned to meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss their thoughts on the two youngsters. Asked whether it would be more beneficial to keep Schenn here without playing him or return him to Brandon of the Western Hockey League, Murray was blunt.

“My gut feeling on it is that he might need to go back and play, go to junior and play,” Murray said after the Kings’ practice in El Segundo.

“That’s my gut feel. That will be the conversation we have, so that’s not a firm, strong opinion, obviously, it’s just my opinion. It has a little bit of weight but it doesn’t carry everything.

“So we’ll discuss it and we’ll see where it comes out.”

During practice Lombardi declined to disclose his intentions. “I guess we’ll find out. Actions speak louder than words,” he said.

When asked if it served Schenn and the team best to have him here without playing, Lombardi said, “I guess that’s what we’re working through right now, to see if it serves the purpose of the team and making him better. Those are the two issues.”

Lombardi said the decision would not be based on finances or cap issues. Schenn’s NHL salary would be $900,000, but he also has $2.115 million in bonuses, and has a cap hit of $3.140 million. Clifford would earn $685,000 plus bonuses, for a cap hit of $870,000. The Kings have about $6 million in cap space, according to capgeek.com and nhlscap.com.

We’ll have more later, including defenseman Jake Muzzin saying he welcomed being sent to Manchester to work on his game -- but he’s glad to be back and will be playing Thursday.

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Kyle Clifford. Credit: Kelvin Kuo / US Presswire

Kings adjust after injuries to Mitchell, Ponikarovsky

The Kings will place defenseman Willie Mitchell (fractured left wrist) on injured reserve and recall defenseman Jake Muzzin from Manchester of the American Hockey League Tuesday [Updated 2:55 p.m. the Kings made this official]. Left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky (fractured finger) wasn’t placed on IR but that could still happen before their next game, against Dallas on Thursday at Staples Center.

Muzzin was due to arrive in Los Angeles Tuesday night, meaning the Kings had only six defensemen in a lengthy practice session in El Segundo. The pairings were Rob Scuderi-Drew Doughty, Davis Drewiske-Matt Greene, and Jack Johnson-Peter Harrold. Coach Terry Murray said he’d look at the pairings again Wednesday, after Muzzin practices with the team.

Mitchell is expected to be out four to six weeks. Ponikarovsky is projected to miss four weeks’ time. Both were injured during the Kings’ 4-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, their fourth straight victory and fifth in six games.

“We’re losing two veteran guys who have been in the league for a while and two of the older guys, I guess, on this team,” Doughty said. “It definitely [stinks] to lose them but I know we’re fully confident here that the guys who are going to replace Mitchy and Poni are going to do their jobs just as good as they were.

“We have no doubts we’re going to continue on this roll.”

Doughty also said he welcomes the reunion with Scuderi, who was his partner much of last season. “I thought last year we were really, really good together,” he said. “We were great at shutting down the other team’s offense, and together we know where we’re going to be. In a way I’m going to really miss playing with Mitchy but I’m happy to play with Scuds as well.”

Translations for the uninitiated: Mitchy is Mitchell, Scuds is Scuderi, Poni is Ponikarovsky. Doughty is usually called “Dewey.” There’s also Greener and Quickie and a host of other nicknames, but we’ll get into that another time.

Brad Richardson took Ponikarovsky’s place on the third line, with Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds but Murray said he hadn’t decided who will play on the fourth line. But he said he plans to play Kyle Clifford. (It would be the rugged left wing’s 10th game and would trigger the first year of his entry-level contract.) Clifford, 19, could still be sent back to his junior team after that but a year would be clocked off his contract.

“You make adjustments. It’s a competitive game and when you play hard stuff happens in a game,” said Murray, who had his full team for only two games before Mitchell and Ponikarovsky were hurt. “Injuries happen.”

He also said he’s debating whether to use Brayden Schenn or Trevor Lewis at center on the fourth line. Schenn has played eight games and is in the same position as Clifford as far as playing 10 games. If Schenn stays under the 10-game limit he can go back to juniors without activating the first year of his contract.

Murray said he and General Manager Dean Lombardi would likely discuss Schenn and Clifford Tuesday night, after Lombardi’s scheduled return from general managers’ meetings in Toronto.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports.

-- Helene Elliott

Fun, frivolity -- and a Kings game too

There was a great atmosphere at the Kings’ morning skate Saturday in El Segundo, with players wearing mullet wigs in honor of the formerly mulled Ryan Smyth, who will play his 1,000th NHL game Saturday night.

Smyth (pictured at left before Saturday night's game) was surprised by the gesture — and thoroughly confused for a moment when teammate

started calling everyone “Smitty.”

But he appreciated the gesture and the prospect of seeing 50 to 60 friends and relatives come to town for the game. The Kings and the NHL will honor him in a pregame ceremony next Thursday.

“It’s a special moment for me,” he said.

We’ll have more later on Smyth, who shows no signs of fading as he reaches his milestone.

There’s also a game to be played, and a fairly important game it is for the Kings, who are 5-0-0 at home this season but have been beaten by the Predators five straight times at home.

“They’re a fast team. They’ve always shown the puck tenacity. They’re on it quickly. They’re over top of you,” Coach Terry Murray said. “If you make one error with a  pass they’re going to hunt you down and make you pay the price, whether it’s a goal or a great scoring chance.