This Time, McNall Lacks Christmas Spirit : Hockey: Kings open camp with no new stars, but a rookie coach with a $1-million contract.

The first day of the Kings’ training camp used to be like Christmas Day. Instead of opening shiny wrapping paper, it was the unveiling of the bright new star (or stars) owner Bruce McNall had purchased over the summer.

Four years ago, it was Wayne Gretzky’s debut at Victoria, British Columbia.

Three years ago, it was Larry Robinson at Hull, Quebec.

Two years ago, McNall put away his wallet.

One year ago, it was Jari Kurri.

Now, the presents are again being withheld. There is no new star this year, although two youngsters, 21-year-old center Robert Lang and 19-year-old defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, show promise.

And the best toy of all, the team’s private jet, has been put in mothballs. The Kings have been exiled from Air Bruce, possibly due to the economic climate and lack of playoff success.

But there is one new rich guy at training camp. Rookie coach Barry Melrose is armed with a $1-million contract, and he conducted his first NHL practice on Saturday at Blue Jay Ice Castle, guiding more than 70 players through three sessions.

“I haven’t skated in a long time,” Melrose said. “So, I was a little nervous I would fall.

“I was a little nervous. But it goes away real quick. Coaching is coaching. There’s just different guys out there on the ice.”

Melrose wants to get a good look at the Kings before he pushes for any trades or other transactions.

“We want to add some things,” he said. “This is not the team I want to be in January or February. I don’t think we can move guys until I meet them and get to know them. They’re too talented guys to do that.

“We know where we want to be and moves are going to be very important for us. But it’s got to be the right moves for us and not for the sake of making a move to placate some people.”

King Notes

Left wing Jay Miller is recovering from a bacterial virus that forced him to spend 10 days in the hospital and enlarged his spleen and a kidney. Miller sat out four weeks of skating and lost about 15 pounds. “I’ve been skating every other day,” he said. “It’s good that they’re not rushing it. It wouldn’t be doing myself or the team any good.”