Two Kings Are Traded for Makela

The Kings acquired New York Islander forward Mikko Makela in a trade for defenseman Ken Baumgartner and center Hubie McDonough Tuesday night.

Makela, 24, had 36 goals and 40 assists for the Islanders in 1987-88. Last season he dropped to 17 goals and 28 assists and was slumping this season. He was scoreless in his past six games and had not scored a goal since Nov. 2.

Makela has two goals and three assists in 20 games, and he was scratched for Tuesday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

Baumgartner, a former 12th-round draft choice of the Buffalo Sabres, had 288 penalty minutes in 49 games for the Kings last season. He has one goal in 12 games this season.

“He’s aggressive and fiery, and those are qualities we can use right now,” said Bill Torrey, general manager of the Islanders.

McDonough had 37 goals and 55 assists for New Haven of the American Hockey League last season. He had no goals and one assist in four games with the Kings in 1988-89, three goals and four assists this season.

“He’s been playing very well lately,” Torrey said.