Kings Have Big Skates to Fill : Hockey: Departure of McSorley to the Penguins creates an opportunity for Rychel and Thompson.

Goaltenders and Wayne Gretzky virtually dominated the Kings’ training camp last season--the focal points being the status of Gretzky’s back and the identity of goaltender Kelly Hrudey’s backup.

A year later, the concerns are a little less momentous. One question for the Stanley Cup finalists, however, has moved to the forefront in the last month: Who will replace former King and current Pittsburgh Penguin defenseman Marty McSorley?

Finding a suitable substitute is not as simple as it might seem as the Kings take to the ice for their first session today at Ice Castle Arena. McSorley not only was the Kings’ enforcer on the ice and inspirational force in the dressing room, he turned himself into a useful defenseman and an adequate penalty killer.

His departure means a bigger role for left wing/enforcer Warren Rychel and an opportunity for 22-year-old defenseman Brent Thompson, who has yet to live up to the potential the Kings spotted when they selected him 39th overall in the 1989 entry draft. Thompson’s development was slowed by a persistent abdominal strain last season and his attitude had not caught up to his physical skills .

“Brent will get a very good look in preseason, as will (Jeff) Chychrun,” Coach Barry Melrose said. “There’s a job out there for a big, tough defenseman. If one of those guys is willing to do it every night, they’ll get the ice time.”

The Kings expect to have 54 skaters and nine goaltenders in camp and much of the competition will be among the forwards. Through a series of off-season moves, the Kings have increased their depth, notably at center.

Returning there are Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Pat Conacher and Jimmy Carson. The Kings also have Shawn McEachern, acquired from the Penguins in the McSorley deal, and Rob Murphy, who signed as as a free agent from Ottawa.

Guy Leveque, Robert Lang and Marc Fortier also played center for the Kings last season and are in camp.

King Notes

As of Friday, neither veteran right wing Dave Taylor nor center Jimmy Carson had agreed to contract terms but both reported, their agent, Ron Salcer, said. Salcer said that Taylor, who is starting his 17th season, is close to agreement and that “things seem to be moving positively with Jimmy. We wanted to get off on the right foot and wanted Jimmy in camp.” Carson and Taylor played out their options last season. . . . Barry Melrose nominated left wing Dave Thomlinson, 26, as a possible surprise of camp, in the mold of Warren Rychel last season. “I think Thomlinson will shock everybody,” Melrose said. “He’s a lot like Rychel. He’s a guy who just needs a chance to play and a system that fits how he plays.” Thomlinson scored 25 goals and had 60 points at Binghamton, N.Y., last season in the American Hockey League.