Kings Acquire Center Allison, Call Up Guay

Mike Allison, a defensive-minded center and former teammate of new Coach Rob Ftorek, was acquired by the Kings Monday in a trade that sent right wing Sean McKenna to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Kings also said Monday that right wing Paul Guay, the leading scorer for their American Hockey League affiliate at New Haven, Conn., had been recalled and would be available for Wednesday night’s game at the Forum against the Edmonton Oilers.

To make room for Guay, the Kings reassigned right winger Bob Kudelski to New Haven.

Allison, 26, played with Ftorek for three seasons when both were with the New York Rangers and played under Ftorek for nine games two seasons ago at New Haven. He had 3 points in 15 games this season for the Maple Leafs.

Acquiring a center had been a priority for the Kings, especially since recent injuries to Tim Tookey and Brian Wilks, both of whom had shoulder surgery in the last two weeks and may be out for the season.

“We’ve been trying to get a decent center all year,” General Manager Rogie Vachon said. “But just about every team is reluctant to give up checking centers, even if you’re willing to pay the price.”

McKenna, acquired by the Kings in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres two seasons ago, had 3 goals and 2 assists in 30 games this season.

King Notes

Mike Allison’s National Hockey League totals: 352 games, 70 goals, 121 assists, 373 penalty minutes. . . . In 129 games with the Kings, Sean McKenna had 21 goals and 21 assists. . . . Bob Carpenter, whose right shoulder was examined Monday by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, is not believed to be seriously injured and might play Wednesday night against Edmonton. Injured in the second period of last Saturday night’s 3-2 loss at Hartford, Carpenter did not return to the game. . . . Wayne McBean will fly to Ottawa today to join the Canadian junior national team for the junior world championships Dec. 26-Jan. 4 at Moscow.