The morning skate: Jones in, Martinez out of lineup, and Brown in line for Olympic honor

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Defenseman Randy Jones is scheduled to play tonight for the first time since Dec. 15, when he collided with Edmonton’s big-bodied Dustin Penner and sustained what the Kings called an upper-body injury. Jones had a stiff neck, was dizzy and was unable to exercise at a normal rate for a while, but the Kings never termed his injury a concussion.

At any rate, Jones said after Saturday’s game-day skate that he’s eager to return after missing eight games. Some paperwork must be processed before he can play -- he has to be activated off injured reserve, and it’s likely Davis Drewiske will go on IR -- and someone will have to sit. That will be Alec Martinez, Coach Terry Murray said.

Jones, claimed from Philadelphia on re-entry waivers on Oct. 29, had four goals, 12 points and a +2 defensive ratings in the 18 games he played before his injury. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited to be back on the ice,” he said.

Though not allowed to be specific about his injury, he said Penner -- ‘a pretty big lad’ -- caught him with a blind-side hit that encompassed his head, neck and shoulder. Jones said he wasn’t worried about his symptoms at any time, but he did say he had suffered “a couple” concussions “years ago.” That history has not been a problem for him recently, he said.

“We have tremendous trainers and doctors. I wasn’t concerned with anything that was going on. I just needed to make sure everything was healthy before I came back and they did a tremendous job,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a lingering injury, that’s for sure.”

Jones said he will probably lean toward the cautious side, at least at first. “I’ve just got to go out and play,” he said. “I can’t do too many risky plays. I’ve just got to go out and do the job.”

Murray said Jones, who averaged 19 minutes 20 seconds of ice time before the injury, will be monitored carefully.

“He needs to be a good player for us. He might not be right at the top of his game but we’ll have to manage his minutes and get him in some situations where we feel he’s going to be a contributor,” Murray said. “I hope that he’s not too far off that game that he’s been showing us from the time he arrived.

‘His involvement in the offensive part of the game has been very good. We want more of that. The area that I think we’ll watch closely is the low defensive zone coverage, battling the two on two. Hopefully it’s OK but we’ll manage that.”

Will Brown wear an ‘A’ for Team USA?

USA Hockey on Monday will announce the captain and alternate captains of the men’s Olympic team for the Vancouver Games, and it’s a good bet that Kings captain Dustin Brown will be part of that leadership group.

As a first-time Olympian he might not get the ‘C.’ The likely candidates for that honor seem to be returning Olympians Brian Rafalski of the Red Wings, Jamie Langenbrunner of the Devils or even Chris Drury of the New York Rangers.

But as the Kings’ captain and a long-time participant in USA Hockey’s program -- Brown played for the U.S. twice at the world junior championships and twice at the senior leve -- he’s a strong candidate to be an alternate.

“We’ll find out,” Brown said Saturday with a smile.

Murray heartily endorsed Brown’s selection.

“I think Brownie would be a great choice for one of the captains of the team. He’s been a big part of that whole program from the very beginning, going back to his junior years,” Murray said.

“When you get into a short tournament like that you’re looking for a high standard of play, a work ethic, coming to the practice every day with a great attitude and preparing for the next game, and Brownie’s always shown that, so I think he’d certainly be highly considered for one of the captains.”

More later at www.latimes.com/sports

-- Helene Elliott