Amateur scouting heads are fired

The Kings fired Al Murray, the director of amateur scouting, and a large portion of the amateur scouting department Friday, a source close to the team said.

Murray has been with the team for 18 years, the last 13 as director of amateur scouting. Grant Sonier, the assistant director of amateur scouting, also was fired.

General Manager Dean Lombardi declined to comment.

Murray’s departure was the last step in the complete overhaul of the franchise, which began last spring when General Manager Dave Taylor was fired. While Taylor remains as a consultant, nearly everyone else in the front office has been fired or reassigned within AEG, the Kings’ parent company.

The Kings have had a spotty amateur draft record in recent seasons. They had eight first-round picks between 2000 and 2004 and only four of those players are still in the organization.

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The Kings’ slide in the Western Conference has been a team effort, yet the penalty-killing units have stood out in that crowd.

So it was with cautious optimism that Coach Marc Crawford talked about the effort against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets had four power plays, coming up empty each time.

It was only the third time in the last 20 games the Kings had held a team scoreless on the power play. They had given up 31 power-play goals in the previous 19 games.

“Guys realize when they need to pressure and when they need to contain,” Crawford said. “We showed the type of determination you need to limit opportunities.”

Again, this was Columbus, a fellow lower-echelon team. For the Kings, who rank 29th out of 30 teams on the penalty kill, it was a step in the right direction.

An indication how much better they are at killing penalties may come in the next three games, against the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, all playoff contenders.

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Michael Cammalleri, now in his second full NHL season, has seven goals and 17 points in the last 19 games, including a goal and an assist against the Blue Jackets.

He led the team with 26 goals last season and is on pace to top or at least match that total this season.

“He has a year’s experience and that makes a difference,” center Derek Armstrong said.

Of the last seven goals Cammalleri has scored, six have come in games the Kings have won.

“I just look to score to help the team win,” Cammalleri said. “That’s the fun part. I’ve always done that. I know where I need be to score goals and I know where to be so guys can get me the puck.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Detroit, 7:30, FSNW

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Kings 15-22-5, Red Wings 25-10-5.

Record vs. Red Wings -- 0-2.

Update -- The Red Wings are without defenseman Chris Chelios, who will remain in Detroit until after the funerals for two workers killed at his restaurant this week. Forward Pavel Datsyuk has sat out the last two games because of a groin injury.

Tickets -- (888) 546-4752.

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chris.foster@latimes.com