DiPietro to Return to Minors

With two injured forwards on the verge of returning, the Kings will make some room on their roster today by sending center Paul DiPietro back to Phoenix of the International Hockey League.

DiPietro, who was recalled from Phoenix on Oct. 7, has one goal and four penalty minutes in four games this season. DiPietro did not play in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Detroit and has been a healthy scratch in three of the last five games.

King Coach Larry Robinson said that forwards Vitali Yachmenev (sprained left shoulder) and Vladimir Tsyplakov (abdominal strain), and defenseman Philippe Boucher (sprained right shoulder) are close to returning. Defenseman Jan Vopat had back surgery Tuesday and the procedure went well, the team said.