More King Troubles: Sykes Out at Least 2 Weeks

As if a five-game losing streak and the prospect of five more games on this trip weren’t enough, the Kings got more bad news Saturday.

Right wing Phil Sykes, injured in the third period of Friday night’s 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, will be sidelined at least two weeks with a severely pulled groin muscle.

So, when the Kings meet the Jets again today at the Winnipeg Arena, Sykes will be home in Los Angeles, where he will be examined by Dr. Steve Lombardo Monday.

Coach Mike Murphy described Sykes, who scored his first goal Friday night, as a “real heart-and-soul guy” and said he will be missed.

“He does a lot of the dirty little jobs that often go unnoticed but are so important,” Murphy said.

Sykes’ place on the roster will be taken by Paul Fenton, a left wing who scored 11 goals in 5 games for the New Haven Nighthawks, the Kings’ affiliate in the American Hockey League. Fenton, 27, was acquired on waivers this month from the New York Rangers.

Murphy said Fenton, who played in 42 National Hockey League games in the last three seasons and was New Haven’s leading scorer last season as property of the Rangers, will play today on a line with Bobby Carpenter and Jim Fox.

He also said that defenseman Grant Ledyard, who sprained an ankle in training camp and has not yet played, will make his season debut today.