Kings Play Vancouver at Victoria

Coach Pat Quinn of the Kings says it’s time for his defensemen to show what they have learned.

He’ll take a close look tonight as Los Angeles plays the Vancouver Canucks in their first exhibition game at Victoria Memorial Arena in Victoria, Canada.

“We are going to try some kids; we are going to look at a lot of people,” Quinn said. “Camps often aren’t as physical as the games. It’ll be different once we’re in it.”

Quinn said the shakiest position is center, where only Bernie Nicholls and Marcel Dionne are guaranteed spots.

“It’s a crucial area for us,” Quinn said. “Going into the draft, we felt we were weakest in numbers at center. Marcel’s career is winding down. It’s time for some players to graduate. They’ve had time to develop.”

Quinn will no doubt keep a watchful eye on Jim Carson, the team’s top draft choice. Carson has a reputation as a high scorer, but Quinn said that skating in the juniors and skating in the pros are vastly different.

The Kings play four more exhibition games in Canada before returning to Los Angeles.