Kings ‘Very Optimistic’ on Gretzky Comeback : Hockey: Melrose says he could be back in lineup in six to eight weeks. Sandstrom also improving.

Wayne Gretzky has progressed so quickly on his rehabilitation schedule that the Kings hope he can resume full-contact practice within the next two to three weeks.

If Gretzky doesn’t suffer any setbacks, he could be back in the lineup in six to eight weeks, according to King Coach Barry Melrose. Gretzky has been out of action since he suffered a herniated thoracic disk during training camp in September.

“We’re very optimistic,” Melrose said Wednesday. “Late January or early February. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Gretzky, who skated for 30 to 40 minutes Wednesday morning at the Kings’ practice facility in Culver City, said: “The last month has been frustrating. I’ve been pain-free, so I feel like I can play. But I can’t yet.”

Gretzky and Tomas Sandstrom, who is sidelined because of a broken left forearm, skated under the direction of King assistant coach Cap Raeder before practice. Sandstrom could be back in the lineup for Tuesday’s game at home against the Vancouver Canucks, Melrose said.

Sandstrom wasn’t as optimistic, saying his prognosis hinged on a visit to the doctor on Monday for another X-ray. He has been out since the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Doug Gilmour slashed him on Nov. 21. Apparently, Sandstrom is ahead of schedule, too.

“As you can see, (Gretzky) is working very hard out there,” Melrose said. “You have to work hard to keep up with Tomas Sandstrom.”

Melrose said he will keep Jari Kurri at center when Gretzky returns. “I love him there,” he said.

How will Gretzky’s return affect the Kings’ new-found unity?

“If Wayne was . . . selfish, it would be a problem,” Melrose said. “But Wayne’s not like that. The kids are dying to play with him. They don’t even know what to say to him because they haven’t been around him. He’s not a bad person, so it’s not going to be a problem.”

Despite the seriousness of Gretzky’s injury, he can see the potental benefits to his career, especially when he is so close to returning.

His love of hockey has been rekindled.

“No question, people had all kinds of angles on this,” Gretzky said. “People said, ‘Don’t worry, you’ve accomplished a lot--four Stanley Cups.’ In the back of your mind, you think, ‘Good point.’

“But as time went on, I missed it more and more. You learn how much fun it is and how much I enjoy the game.

“It may have been something I needed. I put so many years in since I was 17. So many pressure situations. Maybe it was a way to give me a break for a few months and slow me down and throw me back into the lion’s den.”

King Notes

It has been a strange season for Bob Kudelski, so why should Wednesday have been any different? One moment Kudelski was wondering why he hasn’t been traded, saying: “He (Barry Melrose) told me he didn’t have plans for me and that they would trade me. I can accept I’m not going to play here. But they should do it (a trade). They called up a couple of guys from the minors and I’m not playing. It doesn’t matter if 10 guys get hurt, I’m not going to get the chance to play.” One King teammate sauntered past Kudelski and a group of reporters and said: “Easy, Marcus.” Melrose said that Kudelski’s age (28) and salary ($375,000) are making him hard to move. Then Melrose announced that Kudelski would be playing on a line with Luc Robitaille and Jari Kurri against Edmonton on Friday. . . . Melrose also said right wing Jim Hiller has been sent to the minors in Phoenix. “Jimmy wasn’t playing hard,” Melrose said. “That’s why Jim Hiller is in Phoenix.” Hiller scored six goals and 12 points in 28 games. . . . Dave Taylor is still experiencing dizziness and vertigo from the concussion he suffered on Nov. 14. He isn’t ready to confront the prospect of retirement, however. “I’ve been told the symptoms can go on sometimes from six months to a year,” he said. “Each situation is different.” Taylor will have another meeting with his neurologist, Steven Levy, on Dec. 28.