Slow Start for Newest Kingdom : However, There’s Real Evidence That Kings Are Better

The Forum isn’t the Magic Kingdom, and the Kings aren’t ready to win the Stanley Cup, but then Rogie Vachon probably isn’t the best goalie in the organization any more, either.

Hockey, which has been skating on thin ice in this city of late, made its 21st opening-night appearance, and for the first time in a while, the odds on the Kings probably aren’t much longer than the cigar that’s planted in Vachon’s mouth.

First, though, the Kings had to drop their opener, which has become something of a tradition. Before a crowd of 10,748, they lost, 4-1, Thursday night to the Islanders at the Forum, keeping the Kings oh for 7 years in opening games since 1980.

“We made some mistakes that were like blunders,” Coach Mike Murphy said.

Just like blunders, in fact. But it ought to get better. This year, the Kings can put seven of their own first-round draft choices on the ice. They’ve had 11 first-rounders in their history.

So, the Kings are young and maybe they’re even going to be tough. How do we know? Jerry Buss says so.

“This is the most-improved club I’ve seen in five or six years,” Buss said. “This time, I feel like we’ve got something to build on.”

What makes this season any different?

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” he said.

Out there on the ice, the evidence will become clear soon enough. But back in the team offices, indications are that the Kings have been busy developing a whole new attitude.

They must even want people to know about it because the Kings spent $26,000 for two full-page newspaper ads Thursday morning.

Little brothers of the Lakers in the Forum for some time, the Kings are big enough to have hired their first full-time promotions director instead of sharing one with the Lakers.

David Hershenson, who comes from a promotions job with several nightclubs, already has one idea just offstage. It’s called King for a Day.

No, it’s not how long players pray they’ll stay with the franchise.

Here is the plan of what’s in store for whoever wins the promotion:

--A limousine ride to the Forum for a King game.

--Dinner with Buss and King co-owner Bruce McNall.

--Sitting with Buss and McNall in their private box.

--A visit to the locker room after the game.

Unless things don’t turn around, there could be trouble in the Kingdom. If the King for a Day wants to shower, though, he may have to bring his own bar of soap.

The Kings swear that they’re coming clean about all this. They are a team of the future, the Kings believe, and that is somewhat unfortunate because they are playing their games in the present.

McNall, a relative newcomer to King hockey (only last season), hasn’t let the team’s recent checkered past get to him yet. A successful coin collector, the 37-year-old McNall has a film production company responsible for such box office hits as ‘Mannequin,” “Mr. Mom” and “War Games.”

He also had some bombs, but he doesn’t expect the Kings to be another one.

“You’re not going to win 80 games,” McNall said. “But if you drill enough holes, you’ll find oil.”

McNall admitted he’s never drilled an oil well. Then again, he’s never owned 49% of the Kings before, either.

McNall owns a 1917 24-cent U.S. stamp that’s worth $200,000. He also owns a coin, the Athenian Decadrachm, worth more than $1 million. It was struck about 420 BC or roughly the last time the Kings were winners.

Now, how will the Kings do this year?

“We’d like to finish above .500,” Murphy said.

Said Buss: “We have an excellent chance at 80-plus points.”

Said McNall: “The (Stanley) Cup.”

It should be pointed out that McNall’s horse, Trempolino, recently won Europe’s biggest horse race, the $1.1-million Arc de Triomphe.

Because of this, Buss calls McNall, “Mr. Lucky.”